motor cycles and drivers who don't see them!

[djohnson43]

So how many of you have someone who rides a motor cycle? I do. Or at least my husband did up till this past thursday. So... He left work like he normally does at 3:30 and at 4:05 my phone rings and its his big boss. I knew something was wrong when I saw where the number was coming from. This women made a left turn in front of him when he had the right of way and he wasn't able to stop and went into her van. A couple of his co workers saw it happen because they were only a car length or so back. His supervisor was right there to keep my husband down. And he also made sure to call the big boss to tell him. They got all of the ladies info since my husband couldn't and even sent another co worker to pick me and my daughters up to take us to the hospital. The women told the cops she didn't even see my husband. But you want to know why she didn't see him. Get this, She was on her phone! And yes she did admit it to the cops after my husbands supervisor said he saw her on it. I just don't know if she was talking or texting.
Now my husband is in the hospital and hopefully he will be released tomorrow. No broken bones thank god but he did have a huge hematonia form on the right arm that they had to go in and drain. That is why he hasn't been released yet. The arm is still draining. Of course he is sore from the waist down to mid thigh or so and bruising but that is it. The helmet protceted his head and the thermal suit he wore the rest of him except for the arm of course. They believe he hit the van with that arm that is why it swelled to larger then a large grapefruit.
Something really needs to be done about people who talk and drive. I personally don't do it. If the phone rings and my daughter is in the car she will put it on speaker if it is someone I want to talk to and hold the phone for me. It's just like carrying on a regular conversation with the person next to you and aren't as distracted as when you hold the phone. Even with the bluetooth you are distracted because you have to push the button to talk.

[debidoo]

Wow, that stinks.  I am sorry to hear you guys are having to go through this because of someone's ignorance and carelessness.  Here's hoping for a speedy recovery for your husband and that people will be extra careful to watch for bikers and to stay off their phones.  We have bike week in the town over from us each year and I am amazed by all the stupid things people do driving period but especially around motorcycles.

[Nancy5]

I'm so very sorry to hear about your husband.  Hopefully he will be home soon and on the road to a speedy recovery.  That's a major problem, people talking on cell phones while driving, but I think the scariest is when you see teenagers (not experienced drivers) driving while texting.  Something has to be done, but I'm not really sure anything can be done to stop this.

[metsrock69]

I Dont text While Driving but I Talk On The Phone. I Always pay Attention Especially When It Comes To MotorCycles. Hope He Feels Better Soon.

[jowbow]

I'm sorry about your husband.  My father was in an motor cycle accident when I was 8.  It happend on Halloween.  Because of all the gear he was wearing at the time he is still with us today.  He broke his leg and stopped riding.  I am very careful when is comes to motor cycle riders because of his accident.  I would rather have them in front of me when I am driving.  I feel the I am there only protection from the other crazy drivers on the road.  I hope he has a speedy recovey.

[djohnson43]

Thanks everyone for the warm wishes. He came home today but he is so bruised up. But also glad to have some good cooking and not the hospital stuff.

[BlackSheepNY]

Yup!  There are WAY too many drivers who don't watch for Motorcycles at all, don't obey the law as far as staying back and away from them, and worst, just don't give a damned and will do crazy things like throw bottles and cans at the Motorcyclists.  I agree with you that something needs to be done with texting/talking on cell when driving.  It's a constant thing for people now and the laws need to clamp down on these people.  Make the fines for texting/talking on your cell phone EXORBITANT and maybe then people will learn.  Some people won't wake up until they kill or maim somebody because of their stupidity, or get a fine that they really can't afford to pay.

I'm sorry your husband and family had to go through this.  I hope your husband will be feeling better soon.

[djohnson43]

Two nights now my husband is back in bed with me and I am finally able to sleep again. Here isn the Atl we see people on their phone all the time and can't stand it!

[bremer51]

You must have been terrified when you received the news.  I'm glad things have turned out well.  I've lost a couple friends over the years in motorcycle accidents...both were hit by cars where the drivers "didn't see them." 

[tinaryerson]

i'm so sick of people on their phones....every single place you go someone is glued to the phone.  annoying

[kilophkadamas]

This is one of the reasons keeping me from getting that motorcycle, the danger level is 2x that of even driving. Sorry, but this is a holdover from the gun argument...but why do we restrict people from using their phones in their cars anyway..is this not taking away from their "freedoms"? Everyone should be able to play video games, have full on conversations or drive with a blindfold on.

[djohnson43]

I guess driving while talking on the phone is like driving blind.

[bhiett]

Your husband is so very fortunate to be alive.  I have known people who were killed on motorcycles even before cell phones and texting; with all the current electronic gadgets available in cars, the danger is intensified.  Best wishes to him for a full recovery.

[madeara]

I am so sorry.  I hope your husband gets well soon.  Thirteen years ago, my cousin was killed in a motorcycle accident.  He left behind a wife and two young sons.  He was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle.  He died at the scene of the accident.

[pmagalei]

Good to hear that your husband is back home. Praying for a speedy full recovery. There are still people out there who do not realized how serious using a cell phone while driving not only can cause a lot of accidents that could be easily avoided but knowing that a few seconds can change someone's life and their family's future. Good thing your husband wore a helmet. Most  of bikers that I see now don't wear helmets.