A Really Bad Day.ect

You're a good man Sonny,and glad you're gettin over it. Back in 2010, 23 of us brits brought our bikes to the states, into the second week of a 4week trip we were comin out of Yesemite when a deer ran down the embankment and took out one our guys on a Triumph T'bird .Luckily he only broke his hand and got a bit of road rash but it was a bit of a shock at the time.His bike was a write off though and his trip was over.

Sonny, You did good and I'm sure I speak for all...you made us proud. It's what we do.

To lighten up the thread a bit-My brother, a few friends, and I were riding in the Lake Tahoe area of California a few years ago when a Deer ran out in front of my brother. He hit the brakes, the deer turned left, and jumped over the back of his bike. His saddle bags had a bit of fur on them from where the deer hit him. He did not go down, just bounced around a little. He first words were don't tell my wife!!!! Then, I want a drink!!!

sonny said:

Update: went to the hospital yesterday to see the guy, his wife called me and asked if I could stop by and see him. Two broken ribs, broken leg, and bruised up all over. Turns out the goldwing is his first and last bike. He only had 3,000 miles on the bike and has owned it for a little over a year. They tried to give me some money for helping but we refused. I told both of them if you want to reward me the next time you see a motorcyclist sitting on the side of the rode stop and asked if they need some help. Kind of got the impression that they are very thankful I stopped and helped. Going up to the hospital helped out a lot. Been riding all week back and forth to work but still very careful while riding. Taking it a bit easier especially at night riding home. Still a little rattled but getting over it.

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You've really gone the extra mile and are to be commended for doing so, sonny. Also, the effect(s) of what you witnessed and how you're processing or handling it are normal and apparently proceeding in a healthy fashion.

The victim of the accident was clearly riding above his abilities plus he has not had sufficient saddle time to have learned what all riders need to learn and incorporate into their riding ongoingly order to best protect themselves or prevent the various and sundry mishaps that can befall any motorcyclist at almost any time. It's also not the easiest thing in the world for a person to withhold preachiness or bad advice to others that have had a mishap like this fellow did, but you've managed to avoid both pitfalls, even while you yourself are still dealing with or shaking off the emotional impact of what you experienced with this entire affair.

So, all that said, it's safe to say on behalf of all of us in this community that "you done good" and you've made all of us that have read about this experience proud of how you've dealt with it.

Agree with TP, he was riding above his limit and had a bike way too big for a first bike, at least he survived to tell his grand kids about his ordeal

Good job Sonny.....I guess most of us would have stopped to help wouldn't we cos you couldn't just ride on by, but you said you were covered in the guys blood trying to administer first aid!..that is where a lot of people freeze up not knowing how or what to do so bloody good on you!..often the quick response, making the phone call, doing all the right things can save lives so reach around and give yourself a pat on the back!...also you followed up with a visit.....over here in NZ you would be "A real good bastard"...in a good way.!...

Great to know there are good people on the roads like you two. Seems old mate sort of got what was coming to him i expect , do the crime do the time as the old man used to say , ive noticed most people have a thought process where an idea like showing off will go through their head that may have a dire outcome if sheit goes pearshaped and the majority have a switch that clicks on and says " Yeah that'd be fun but i better not " and some dont seem to have that switch at all, i got a good mate like that , he's always in the Sheeeit because his switch dont work...........

Great Job Sonny, good on you for doing the right thing, even if it was to help an asshat who was worshipping Darwin.

Always remember, Airway then Bleeding. If airway is clear and an extremity is bleeding profusely, tourniquet that ****, let the medics/EMTs sort it out. Better to clamp it off and be sure someone won't bleed out than to use a pressure dressing and they bleed out. Surgeons can save a tourniqueted limb like 8 hours after application in some cases, so don't feel like your dooming them to amputation.

A sock/scarf/shoelace/gitback/piece of wire from a wire harness and a stick/wratchet/screwdriver/antenae/metal pen/etc can make a super effective improvised tourniquet in a pinch.

You are an awesome man.......Sonny

The Goldwing rider may not have been riding above his capabilities......When it comes to Dang DEER....I hate them with a passion.

Where I live the things are everywhere. I have hit 13 in a car, only one made it away from the impact area. The very first new car I ever had, I hit one 2 weeks after the car was bought.......$2800.00 damage.
The only one I ever saw in time to do anything was a Doe on a bank on the side of the road, I was pulling my bass boat with my suburban. I went to the far side of the road and she hit my truck in the right rear door, caved it in about 5 inches......But the bass boat trailer with tandem axles got her. On my way to fish in a bass tour. at 4:00 am.

So anyone that hits a Deer, I say is not guilty of anything but bad dang luck. I have came so close so many times on a M/C.

Now, if someone is running the twisties and over cooks a corner and chickens out, then stands the bike back up is in over their head.
You are WAY better off staying committed to that turn, keeping it on your side of the road. Hoping that it sticks.
If it does not stick you just may low side the bike and go for a slide.............Just pray that a vehicle is not coming in the other direction.
My best advise is to never ride above your or your bikes capabilities on a public road.....Like the Dragon or other favorite sections of twisties .

Good thing for him you took the scenic route. Also not everyone would able to help out. I've seen tough people go to pieces in a crisis and freeze up unable to even make the 911 call. I think you were on a mission

I rarely let a stranded motorist go unhelped, no matter whether they are on two wheels or more.

Oddly, I haven't come across a distressed unicyclist yet in over 46 years as a licensed driver.