Feeling Lucky

W

Wimpy525

New member
I travel a lot for work putting on 55-60k miles per year. When you drive that much things are bound to happen. Today it did.
I was traveling east bound on I-90 just east of Erie when I noticed a truck driver in the west bound lanes flashing his head lights. I knew something was up. I merged to the right lane and about 30 seconds later cars crashing everywhere. I managed to avoid three cars and one tractor trailer. I then got tapped in the rear sending me sideways to the ditch. Truck rolled after hitting another car that was already in the ditch. Truck driver behind me said I did a hell of a job wheeling that truck through the carnage.
I walked away with not injuries just a bit sore now.
Seat belts and side air bags did there job.
Yes I did buy a power ball ticket!
 

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Wimpy525 said:
I travel a lot for work putting on 55-60k miles per year. When you drive that much things are bound to happen. Today it did.
I was traveling east bound on I-90 just east of Erie when I noticed a truck driver in the west bound lanes flashing his head lights. I knew something was up. I merged to the right lane and about 30 seconds later cars crashing everywhere. I managed to avoid three cars and one tractor trailer. I then got tapped in the rear sending me sideways to the ditch. Truck rolled after hitting another car that was already in the ditch. Truck driver behind me said I did a hell of a job wheeling that truck through the carnage.
I walked away with not injuries just a bit sore now.
Seat belts and side air bags did there job.
Yes I did buy a power ball ticket!
Click to expand...
WOW! You call it lucky...I call it blessed. Glad your OK!
 
Whimpy I sure glad that you are doing good . But as far as the lottery goes I am sure that I am going to win so just play the Saturday lottery :) I always have my CB radio on in bad weather / heavy NJ NY traffic and it has saved me a few times now . If you want a radio I am sure I have a spare one around I will give it to you no Charge .:D That way I will get to ride with you this year !
 
It was a mess 100 cars involved.
Thank good the gasser wasn't in the truck. Company allready told me that any personal items or tools will not be covered.
Dirt Dud we will ride this year
 
Glad you came out of that one okay...

Reminds me of a crash I read about last year - I-84 in columbia river gorge. This guy was really lucky - believe or not - he only needed two band aids...


interstate-84-semi-crash-photos-from-the-baker-city-area-pileup-0a19d9c0c01f15ca.jpg
 
I am very glad you came away safe and I agree you were blessed. I plan to show your post to my son that is 15 364/365 yrs old. He is excited to get his drivers license tomorrow morning. I want him to stay alert to the conditions and unexpected signals like the one the oncoming truck driver gave you. I truly hope his 12.5 years of dirt bike riding were good preparation to read conditions, terrain and traffic. He has had his permit since he was 15 and he has logged a good number of miles including driving our Chevy Suburban with 6 place trailer through the mountains of TN and WV on the way to the Hatfield McCoy trails.
 
"Luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity."

You might think it's luck, but you were ready, took action, and your actions prevented a more serious outcome. Good job in knowing what to do and when to do it. I truly believe that dirt bikes (motorcycles in general, really) teach us a lot about vehicle dynamics and what to do when it all goes pear shaped.

Now, "good luck" will be required when dealing with the insurance company.

Stay safe, and get checked out by a doctor. You might not think there is anything wrong, but it's better to at least see a doctor and get it documented just in case.
 
pscook said:
"Luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity."

You might think it's luck, but you were ready, took action, and your actions prevented a more serious outcome. Good job in knowing what to do and when to do it. I truly believe that dirt bikes (motorcycles in general, really) teach us a lot about vehicle dynamics and what to do when it all goes pear shaped.
Click to expand...
This is one of the emerging secrets- Dirtbikers tend to be pretty good street riders & motorcyclists in general are the safest car drivers. This is backed by a huge study done by Equity Red Star that shows motorcyclists are up to 23% less likely to file a car insurance incident claim than any other class of driver, including the ones previously thought to be the safest, such as school teachers, gov't employees etc.
 
Wimpy525 said:
I travel a lot for work putting on 55-60k miles per year. When you drive that much things are bound to happen. Today it did.
I was traveling east bound on I-90 just east of Erie when I noticed a truck driver in the west bound lanes flashing his head lights. I knew something was up. I merged to the right lane and about 30 seconds later cars crashing everywhere. I managed to avoid three cars and one tractor trailer. I then got tapped in the rear sending me sideways to the ditch. Truck rolled after hitting another car that was already in the ditch. Truck driver behind me said I did a hell of a job wheeling that truck through the carnage.
I walked away with not injuries just a bit sore now.
Seat belts and side air bags did there job.
Yes I did buy a power ball ticket!
Click to expand...

Glad you are doing OK. I-90 corridor along Erie is treacherous in the winter. I've been caught out a few times where it was completely clear and 30 minutes later doing 10mph because it is snowing so hard and the road is covered. I don't envy anyone that has to use that section of road regularly.
 
Woof, that looks like a situation that could have been far worse. Glad you're ok and the damage was to the truck and not yourself :eek:

I hope the rest of the drivers involved in that weren't seriously hurt either.


And I had to laugh hard when I read this reply - way to keep it light hamilton :cool:

hamilton said:
Lucky your gasser wasn't in the truck.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks guys. Just got home after a long drive in my rental truck. Drove most of the way home with out the radio on just reflecting on what had happened. I had to go pick up my stuff out of the truck which required me to drive on that same stretch of highway. Was a bit weird doing so. Much easier picking up a bike and getting back on.
Zman he will be just fine. The bike experience will do him good.
Another thought if you are traveling make sure you have the right clothes for the weather. I did it was -2 with the windchill. Plenty of drivers out there with no hats gloves boots or heavy coats because it was a quick ride to work. The highway was shut down for several hours.
Feels like I just ran two enduros back to back twice!
 
I let my son read the post and also reinforced the great suggestion to have backup clothes in the car too. Sometimes bad things happen to great drivers, but being prepared helps significantly.
 
Zman said:
I let my son read the post and also reinforced the great suggestion to have backup clothes in the car too. Sometimes bad things happen to great drivers, but being prepared helps significantly.
Click to expand...

Having backup underwear could certainly be helpful.....;)
 
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