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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Buckturgidson on March 08, 2026, 10:37:18 AM
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A few days ago a 22 yo male died in south Reno when a driver turned left in front of him on a major thoroughfare. Speed or impairment were not factors. From what I can tell, the driver is facing no consequences for his (or her) negligence. I find this disturbing and amazing.
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Speaking in general as I know little about the total circumstances in this particular tragedy.
We as experienced motorcyclists know and realize that this type of accident is one of the most dangerous traffic situations we encounter.
During my time as a motor officer it was constantly drilled in us during our yearly certification and training to always be aware of the dreaded left turn into our path.
The instructors always told us the best chance for survival was to be seen, first and to reach the point of possible impact to have reduced our speed as much as the situation would allowed and to try to make sure the driver sees the motorcycle.
Therefore it was SOP for us to use high beams, not flashing on and off as this could suggest giving up the right of way, and to reduce our speed until we felt sure the driver had eyes on us.
I would also add that protective gear also greatly increased the odds of survival in the event of a crash.
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California DMV motorcycle handbook recommends riding with high beams on in the daytime. Where in Reno did this happen? I was in Reno on Friday, drivers were acting like idiots. Speeding, running red lights, etc.
kk
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South Reno near Michael's Powersports.
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Been there, done that. Lost my wife to it. There is no fixing it, and the guilty party is let off with a slap on the wrist. :cry:
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Thanks.
kk
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Some of you may remember some years back when I reported here that my brother had a similar near-fatal on Route-66 in Arizona. Used his body against the front end of Toyota Tacoma. Brother has mostly recovered. Still rides 10K a year on his Indian. The Toyota was totaled. Hard to use the word 'guilty' here. The young/new/cautious driver was actually making some extra overt maneuvers to increase safety along the road. Long story. Yes, there was negligence involved, but guilt implies intent or gross negligence. Shit happens and it need not involve evil. I was 15 minutes behind and found my brother in the ditch with attention from others. Sure ruined my day but not as much as his.
Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
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My partner is 11 months out from this same accident. 45 mph divided 4 lane rd, truck coming other direction turned left right in front of cars in left lane and her in right. She couldn't see him due to cars in left lane. He told the cops "wasn't sure if green arrow or not" . Spent 5 days in ICU, over 2 weeks in hospital. 2 broken wrists (they just fused the left one), broken pelvis, partial dissection of coratid and ruptured bladder.
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I have gotten to the point where I only ride in city traffic when it is absolutely necessary. I dread it, knowing how inattentive drivers have gotten over the last few years. I've been known to go 50-75 miles out of my way to avoid riding through town centers.
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Agree, 100%.
I will only DRIVE (much less RIDE) in Charlotte if there is no alternative (i.e., my destination is a Charlotte address.) I'll drive 40 miles out of my my to avoid that mess.
I won't drive in Atlanta even if you pay me.
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A few days ago a 22 yo male died in south Reno when a driver turned left in front of him on a major thoroughfare. Speed or impairment were not factors. From what I can tell, the driver is facing no consequences for his (or her) negligence. I find this disturbing and amazing.
And what criminal charge do you think the other driver should face?
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And what criminal charge do you think the other driver should face?
In North Carolina most traffic charges are not a criminal offense. It is an infraction. One can be charged with a criminal offense if involved in a traffic accident if there is gross negligence found which caused serious bodily injury or death.
However, not every traffic accident that involves bodily injury or death is there someone charged with a criminal offense.
I have investigated dozens of traffic accidents were there were two vehicles involved, and there was bodily injury and even death where no one was charged with a criminal events. Some collisions between vehicles are simply accidents.
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Do lawsuits give some results to the rider/family, regardless of lack of infractions or citations?
.
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Here again USA falls behind compared to others..
https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/causing-death-by-careless-or-inconsiderate-driving/
IMHO, the sentencing is too lenient in many reported cases and gives grieving families little/no comfort. I recall one in which a US forces wife was driving on the wrong side of the road: an easy thing to do, though still careless especially with the consequences of killed young rider.
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Do lawsuits give some results to the rider/family, regardless of lack of infractions or citations?
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Civil lawsuits are totally different from criminal charges or traffic infractions.
Regardless of whether the investigating officer brings charges or not, a civil suit can’t still be filed and won.
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https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/courts-news/monmouth-police-lieutenant-sues-minot-man-oui-crash-physically-disabled-lawsuit-turner-maine-drunk-driving/97-f207cff1-162a-4c8c-92df-164ce85cdd5c (https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/courts-news/monmouth-police-lieutenant-sues-minot-man-oui-crash-physically-disabled-lawsuit-turner-maine-drunk-driving/97-f207cff1-162a-4c8c-92df-164ce85cdd5c)
That sort of thing is heartbreaking.
I understand that anyone can make a mistake, and sometimes circumstances
are such that the collision really is unavoidable. Those situations, methinks, are rare.
For incidents like those listed in the link in this reply, I think severe penalties are
warranted. The guy who hit the cop simply didn't care about following the rules.
He still hasn't served any jail time, likely because the state wants his medical issue
resolved before they incarcerate him, so that the state won't have to pay for his care.
He only got the sentence because he hit a cop, and not only does that look REALLY
bad, the policeman in question knows how the legal system works and has access to
all sorts of information over a decades long career that the average layman doesn't.
I put people who are on their phones and cause traffic accidents in the same category.
As others have opined, I simply won't ride in some situations. I-95 is the main route
into Maine from pretty much anywhere else in the USA, but I simply will not ride it
northbound on Friday or Saturday nights in the summer. It's insane. Same for I-295
south during rush hour from Falmouth to Portland. Lunacy on wheels. I-81 southbound
in Pennsylvania south of Harrisburg to Virginia is also to be avoided.
Good advice about lights and slowing down. 2 more little bits might help:
1. Sometimes a weave from side to side within the lane will help one be more
visible. It's a motion that is different to oncoming traffic, and hence more
noticeable.
2. DO NOT follow too closely behind another vehicle! This can hide you from
oncoming traffic. Someone in a hurry will think it's clear just after that truck/SUV and will
commence their left turn without seeing you. You can't see the oncoming vehicle to
prepare for avoiding action, and they can't see you to let you pass.
Ride safely, and HAVE FUN!
-Stretch
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https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/courts-news/monmouth-police-lieutenant-sues-minot-man-oui-crash-physically-disabled-lawsuit-turner-maine-drunk-driving/97-f207cff1-162a-4c8c-92df-164ce85cdd5c (https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/courts-news/monmouth-police-lieutenant-sues-minot-man-oui-crash-physically-disabled-lawsuit-turner-maine-drunk-driving/97-f207cff1-162a-4c8c-92df-164ce85cdd5c)
That sort of thing is heartbreaking.
I understand that anyone can make a mistake, and sometimes circumstances
are such that the collision really is unavoidable. Those situations, methinks, are rare.
For incidents like those listed in the link in this reply, I think severe penalties are
warranted. The guy who hit the cop simply didn't care about following the rules.
He still hasn't served any jail time, likely because the state wants his medical issue
resolved before they incarcerate him, so that the state won't have to pay for his care.
He only got the sentence because he hit a cop, and not only does that look REALLY
bad, the policeman in question knows how the legal system works and has access to
all sorts of information over a decades long career that the average layman doesn't.
I put people who are on their phones and cause traffic accidents in the same category.
As others have opined, I simply won't ride in some situations. I-95 is the main route
into Maine from pretty much anywhere else in the USA, but I simply will not ride it
northbound on Friday or Saturday nights in the summer. It's insane. Same for I-295
south during rush hour from Falmouth to Portland. Lunacy on wheels. I-81 southbound
in Pennsylvania south of Harrisburg to Virginia is also to be avoided.
Good advice about lights and slowing down. 2 more little bits might help:
1. Sometimes a weave from side to side within the lane will help one be more
visible. It's a motion that is different to oncoming traffic, and hence more
noticeable.
2. DO NOT follow too closely behind another vehicle! This can hide you from
oncoming traffic. Someone in a hurry will think it's clear just after that truck/SUV and will
commence their left turn without seeing you. You can't see the oncoming vehicle to
prepare for avoiding action, and they can't see you to let you pass.
Ride safely, and HAVE FUN!
-Stretch
Yep, most anything the rider can do to become more visible to a possibly threat from another vehicle.
From my past experience from riding thousands of miles a year in a large city, I learned a few different techniques that would make me more visible, not including blue lights and sirens as even that didn’t deter some tone deaf drivers from pulling out in front of a motorcyclist.
Many have already been addressed here.
Let me add that bright colored clothing can also help a driver to see motorcycle.
Personally I believe a white helmet over a darker color will bring attention to a rider. Most older folks remember motor officers wear white helmets and I know from experience it does have a positive effect in being seen.
Bottom line is one can practice these techniques that have been offered and discussed here and anything is better than riding blindly into these situations with no regards or plans for a worse case scenario.