The accident
The day is long. We have driven to DFW to claim Campervan Beethoven.
Coming home, Ng is struck by a motorcyclist.
I asked her to follow me, but I drive slow and cautiously. So she raced ahead and took a strange route home. Not indirect, but through a difficult neighborhood and over a dangerous railroad crossing.
When pulling into the intersection, she was concentrating on traffic coming from the east and so did not see the incoming motorcycle rider.
He was riding and older (1999) Honda with a dim incandescent bulb. When she looked back West, the bike was already on her. She stopped in the roadway, but he was already committed to hit her.
Slamming into the side of the Benz at about 10mpg isn't enough to kill or do serious damage, but it is enough to scare the hell out of a 66y old driver.
And it's enough to leave a mark on a 27y old rider.
He limped away and the ambulance carried him to hospital.
His motorcycle was towed. He had highway bars, which likely saved him from more serious injury.
The Benz will suffer the loss of its running board finish and the lower door now has a snazzy ripple and rubber patter.
Very modern.
I insist she be a more careful driver. But lack of attention is so deep, admonition doesn't assuage it.
Scarred
She was terrified she had killed the man. Stating she was worried he may have decapitated him.
In honesty, the accident wasn't serious enough to deliver that kind of blow. But any accident with a motorcycle is very serious.
She was up all night with worry and it will be some time before she drives glibly again.
This was a combination of of poor attention and an inexperienced rider.
The lesson: keep your eyes peeled for motorcycles.
And if you ride: ALWAYS make eye contact or assume you are INVISIBLE. Even if you do make eye contact, you probably are.
Take the advice. I've been riding since 2007 and have managed collision and laying the bike down on every ride.
I pray my next one wont be my last.