Biker downed by deer

[footsie]

My friend David Bean hit a deer Sunday evening on the way to work, He was not injured but his Goldwing was not so lucky, David was a member here but dropped out when he sold his Venture.

The deer was a hundred feet from the inpact point and the bike traveled another 200 ft. He went off the road into a muddy ditch which stopped him and the bike fell over, tupperware is shattered, parts missing, left crash bar and radiator bent up, frount forks bents.

He went on to work, In the ER he an RN in the er. Left the bike on its side in the ditch, I got off work Monday morning from the ICU and met him there and we fished her out, damage lokks bad, and worst of all he thought he had full coverage insurance and only had liability was an 88 model.

 

Gregg

[autopilot]

That sucks, but at least he's OK.

[royalstarjac]

Sorry about the bike but remember, any motorcycle wreck you can walk away from is a good one!

[Squidley]

any motorcycle wreck you can walk away from is a good one!

 

 

I couldn't agree more, best of luck to him.

[RossKean]

On my 2002 Venture, I keep full liability, comprehensive and fire & theft. Due to cost, I have not included collision but a deer strike would be covered by the comprehensive. "Full" coverage for my bike around here is $1200 or so!! (I have never had an insurance claim on MC or cage and have never had a ticket for a moving violation)

 

Glad he's OK and hope the 'Wing can be brought back to life for a reasonable cost. Unfortunately with the cost of the Tupperware, it might not be worth fixing.

 

Ross

[Freebird]

Please tell him that we are thinking of him. Sounds like he was very lucky but I do know how hard it is in these economic times to have to replace something out of pocket. Still...it could have been so much worse.

[Yammer Dan]

Some good libility policies pay a little anyway. I had 5k medical on mine with 100k underinsured and uninsured. He might want to check it out. They sure won't offer unless he asks. Good luck.

[N3FOL]

Glad to hear your friend is doing better after the accident. I do a fair amount of night riding so we all need to be vigilant at all times. Regards and ride safe.

[royalstarjac]

One thing my ins. agent told me. If I have damage to the bike from an accident, call the police right then and make a report. If the bike is moved or taken home without a report first the ins. co. won't pay.

[ediddy]

Hey Footsie,

Glad your friend is OK. It could have been bad. Two years ago a guy came in my office who had just purchased a new VTX1800. I would see him riding all the time. His widow came in one monday morning and told me he hit a deer that saturday. He was killed instantly. The police report showed he skidded about 30 feet before hitting the deer. The bike was on the left side of the road and the deer was on the right side of the road. Hitting a deer is one of my biggest fears. As far as reporting the accident, yes you should, however I have experienced many insurance claims where the incident wasn't reported and the insurance company paid the claim. As long as you can substantiate what happend the claim will be paid. In your friend's case it wouldn't be a problem proving he hit a deer.

[Sunrayman]

So glad your friend is alright. When I was traveling through Tennessee on my way to Florida this year from Chicago, I noticed many, many dead deer along the road sides somwhere around TN about 1/2 hour before Murfreesboro.

 

Those things really got me "imagining" scenarios in my head, and none were too good.

 

I, being a city slicker, and therefore having basically no knowledge of these beautiful animals wonder, is there a "season" whereby they don't come out of the forests looking for food or whatever, and then the statistical probabilities of hitting them may thereby greatly decrease?

 

In such a case, I would not ride much during the "hot" season in those parts.

 

Just my "ignorant" take on them.

 

Sunrayman:confused24:

[LilBeaver]

Glad that your friend is okay. Hopefully he'll stay that way and won't find any soreness/bruises etc from this as time goes on.

[frogmaster]

One thing my ins. agent told me. If I have damage to the bike from an accident, call the police right then and make a report. If the bike is moved or taken home without a report first the ins. co. won't pay.

 

This must be a State by State INS thingy. In Michigan I called for same, dispatcher asked was another vehicle involved? Replied No... No Officer will be sent just call INS Co. KNOW YOUR STATE!!!

 

Glad you walked away... Some have not survived Deer Incidents.

[saddlebum]

Sorry about the bike but remember, any motorcycle wreck you can walk away from is a good one!

my sentaments exactly, but sorry it happened just the same

[elmicko]

So glad your friend is alright. When I was traveling through Tennessee on my way to Florida this year from Chicago, I noticed many, many dead deer along the road sides somwhere around TN about 1/2 hour before Murfreesboro.

 

Those things really got me "imagining" scenarios in my head, and none were too good.

 

I, being a city slicker, and therefore having basically no knowledge of these beautiful animals wonder, is there a "season" whereby they don't come out of the forests looking for food or whatever, and then the statistical probabilities of hitting them may thereby greatly decrease?

 

In such a case, I would not ride much during the "hot" season in those parts.

 

Just my "ignorant" take on them.

 

Sunrayman:confused24:

 

There really isn't one time that they move less than others. During deer hunting season, they'll still move quiet a bit but they do it mostly at night due to hunting pressure. Any time you are in a full moon or new moon phase they are a bit more active during the day and night. The worst times for them to be a traffic concern are right before daylight and for the first few hours after dark. If you see one standing on the side of the road, slow down, blow your horn and pass with caution. They'll either get "deer in the headlights" syndrome and not move, or they'll try to bolt. If they bolt, they could very well come across the road. I guess the worst time for them is during the "rut" which is usually late fall. They are looking for love and don't pay much attention to where they're running.

 

If you just watch out for them and expect them to be un-predictable, you're usually in good shape.

[Flyinfool]

There are two "hot" seasons for deer.

First is early spring when the does are having their babies. When the mother doe is ready to give birth, she will drive off last years young, those youngsters will be wandering around looking for a new place to live. They do this to spread out the gene pool. If those 1 year old deer did not grow up in an area with roads they will not have been taught how to cross the street.

 

Second big time is late October / early November during the rut, what can I say, but if you can only get some action once a year you will not let anything get in the way, I have seen a buck attack a car because it got between him and a hot doe.

The small bucks and does not yet in heat are literally running for their lives from the sex crazed big bucks and may dart in front of you with no warning.

 

Those are the two times of year that you will see the most dead deer laying on the side of the road.

 

As far as daily during the rest of the year, a couple of hours each side of dawn and dusk, or the couple of hours before or after a big storm.

 

Now wheres my deer rifle?

[Sunrayman]

There are two "hot" seasons for deer.

First is early spring when the does are having their babies. When the mother doe is ready to give birth, she will drive off last years young, those youngsters will be wandering around looking for a new place to live. They do this to spread out the gene pool. If those 1 year old deer did not grow up in an area with roads they will not have been taught how to cross the street.

 

Second big time is late October / early November during the rut, what can I say, but if you can only get some action once a year you will not let anything get in the way, I have seen a buck attack a car because it got between him and a hot doe.

The small bucks and does not yet in heat are literally running for their lives from the sex crazed big bucks and may dart in front of you with no warning.

 

Those are the two times of year that you will see the most dead deer laying on the side of the road.

 

As far as daily during the rest of the year, a couple of hours each side of dawn and dusk, or the couple of hours before or after a big storm.

 

Now wheres my deer rifle?

 

 

 

 

Man, from what I know, that answer qualifies you as a FOREST RANGER or something in my book! Perhaps a wise hunter! I dunno. But THANK YOU for such useful information!

[footsie]

David is looking for another goldwing, we may still fix his, after he got the damage off he said it didn't look that bad. He did get an accident report written just after the accident. The deputies and ems came out there very quickly.

David is a paramedic/ER NURSE and was on his way to work, which he went on in, and they checked him over very well. He was able to complete his shift.

 

Where we live, especially out near david's house, we see deer every time we ride.

It was luck the deer was small, and one of a goldwing's major attibutes is they tend to want to stay upright at speed, he almost went down on the pavement at impact but he said the wing righted itself and went into the ditch, the soft mud it stopped in is what keep the injuries to a min. PLUS the lord was watching over him.

He said the only thing going through his mind was Dawn's really gonna be mad if I get hurt.

 

 

Thanks for all your concern, it is really great to know that there are still people who have time to care.

 

Thanks agian

From from all of us

 

Gregg

[Zfrebird4]

Prayers of thanksgiving that your friend is ok; the bike won't heal, but it will 'fix.'

 

I've hit a deer and stayed up, and another one on the western slopes of CO, and went down; that one wanted to ride my front tire. Totaled my beautiful 86 VR. Not a problem in the long shot. I am now back up on another 86 VR!

 

And I plan to put the ELECTRIC deer whistle on that is posted here; do a search. Ca $80 and an easy wiring harness or so they said. I hope to get this on before spring.

 

Around here in CO they can be anywhere and everywhere. Take a look at my Estes Park posted photographs. Spring, Summer and Fall, of course, I ride the rockies, and that's their home! If you can't find it posted, PM me and I'll pull it from my folder.

 

Glad your friend is ok, and that he is heading back UP again. He'll be a far better rider for it.

 

JackZ

Ft Collins, CO