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Two Tips to Help You Hack it After a Motorcycle Accident

We followed the Mississippi River to Natchez, then cruised east to the little town of Laurel, Miss. And here I turned north toward New York and they turned south toward Florida.

I was very pleased with my 1999 BMW R1100RT’s performance because on this trip the motorcycle’s odometer passed 100,000 miles. The machine was humming along as if it could go at least another 100K.

But, while riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 25 miles north of Asheville, North Carolina, a car pulled out of a lookout area, and then the driver immediately made a U-turn to go back in as I was passing him in the passing lane.

The car hit me broadside and sent me and my motorcycle skidding about 60 feet down the road.

I could ramble on describing the accident and its aftermath, but here’s the short version…

• My riding clothes and helmet saved my skin and head...

• My motorcycle was totaled…

The last time I saw my trusty R1100RT, it was parked inside Eurosport/Asheville -- a BMW motorcycle dealership and repair shop -- waiting to be hauled away.

The kindness of strangers helps me through…

During many years of riding, the kindness of strangers has helped me overcome numerous emergencies. And that’s what happened in this instance.

Shortly after the accident, members of the Internet riding group BMWSportTouring.com pulled over and stayed with me throughout the post-accident ordeal. One member lent me her cell phone because mine couldn’t get a signal in the mountains.

And an old friend who lives in Asheville took me into his home where I sorted out the many details with my insurance company and arranged transportation home.

Two tips to help you cope…

After much pondering since this incident, I’ve reached these two non-driving conclusions that could help you deal with the aftermath of a motorcycle accident…

1) No one is very interested in hearing about your accident…

Don’t be offended with a listener’s short attention span when you describe your ordeal.

Vehicle accident and personal injury stories are like fishing stories…everybody has one. And when you’re telling your tale, your listener is waiting for you to stop so he can tell you his.

One glaring example of this reality occurred when a friend asked me about my accident and I began my account. However, when I paused, he quickly injected, “Did I tell you I need knee replacement surgery?”

I shut up and listened to his knee story.

Also, why bother telling a non-rider about your accident? It only reinforces many people’s opinions concerning the dangers of motorcycle riding.

We know riding can be hazardous, but we enjoy it, regardless.

2) Choose your insurance company wisely…

I realize insurance coverage can be a tedious topic.

But when you’re at the scene of an accident and under stress, it’s not the time to learn the extent of your coverage and what your insurance company will or will not do for you.

You should find out the specifics of your coverage before you need them…such as what they'll pay for towing and for lodging if you're stranded far from home.

You need a company that will step in right away.

You need a company that will support you at the scene and throughout the aftermath…a company staffed with people who will help you work out details and deal effectively with the other driver’s insurance company.

Check out this insurance selection guide…

Choosing the right company and policy can be confusing and cumbersome.

So, I was glad to receive this concise guide “Best Motorcycle Insurance” developed by Reviews.com Their guide can make the selection of your insurance carrier and policy easier.

It will help you determine how much coverage you need, which discounts to take and how to stay safer on the road.

Click here to check it out.

I must emphasize I’m not endorsing any insurance company or suggesting you select one company rather than another. My objective is to help you understand coverage and carrier options and to choose wisely.

One endorsement…

However, I will endorse my motorcycle insurance agent -- Moto Trans Ltd. They offer all kinds of insurance, not just motorcycle coverage. I’ve been working with them for more than 20 years.

You can reach Moto Trans in New York at (631) 427-9234.

Ask for Martha. She helped me sort out the accident reporting process and provided support and calming words when I called her that Saturday afternoon from Asheville.

They're compact, easy to use and work great in emergencies. And what flat tire isn't an emergency?

They're all made in the USA.

Click here to learn more…

Please join me on my trips to popular destinations and rides down roads less traveled...

I recently launched a three-book series containing motorcycle travel and adventure stories and observations drawn from my jaunts throughout the United States and Canada.

Click here for a complete description of these books along with the road tales they contain...

Or click on any of the following book covers to go directly to them at Amazon…

I've taken all the information in my website describing riding techniques for dangerous situations and added to it in the book "High Risk Motorcycle Riding."

Here's information you can put to good use to ride smart and well prepared when you're on the road and the going gets tough.

Click here for a complete description of this book along with the high risk riding tips it contains for riding at night, in the rain, in cold weather and across long distances...and more...

Or click on the following book cover to go directly to the book at Amazon…

For a wealth of information to help you…

• Ride more safely and comfortably…

• Select gear that best suits you, your motorcycle and riding style…

• Get the most enjoyment every time you ride…

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