Just got back from the trial against the woman who caused my motorcycle accident.
1. She hired a paralegal and plead down to a lesser charge called "Start from a stop not in safety." $85. Seriously???!!! To be honest, I expected this. At the bare minimum I hope she learned to be more aware on the road and to drive more safely.
2. I met the lady who called 911 and what she described was exactly the same as what I remembered.
2a. She saw the driver pull out at the last second and thought to herself, "I hope the car doesn't go." And then the driver gunned it. I was in front of the witness.
2b. She saw the collision which I have no memory of. Apparently I tried to swerve to the right to avoid (driver was going from left to right) then all she saw was glass flying and me hit the ground. Then she saw the car start moving again while I was still underneath. There were pedestrians that made her stop.
2c. She thought I was agitated and was worried that I'd punch someone (this I find pretty funny!)
3. I got paid $9 in cash for showing up as a witness.
4. I'm healthy and still riding.
For those who don't know, I was in a motorcycle accident in May 2013 where the car driver drove perpendicularly across traffic during rush hour to get into a Tim Horton's driveway. It was on Leslie St., just north of Hwy 7, across from Times Square in Richmond Hill. My bike was written off, I suffered a separated shoulder and was off the bike for 2 months.
I'm feeling pretty jaded about our "justice" system, traffic laws, and enforcement of it. They seem to be very unfavourable to motorcyclists. Apparently my life is only worth $85 + $9 on the street. This accident could've very easily caused me weeks in the hospital with permanent life-altering injuries.
I'm not looking for sympathy. Just be aware of this next time you're in a not at fault collision. The other person may very well get off with a slap on the wrist.
Edit. Added #4.
1. She hired a paralegal and plead down to a lesser charge called "Start from a stop not in safety." $85. Seriously???!!! To be honest, I expected this. At the bare minimum I hope she learned to be more aware on the road and to drive more safely.
2. I met the lady who called 911 and what she described was exactly the same as what I remembered.
2a. She saw the driver pull out at the last second and thought to herself, "I hope the car doesn't go." And then the driver gunned it. I was in front of the witness.
2b. She saw the collision which I have no memory of. Apparently I tried to swerve to the right to avoid (driver was going from left to right) then all she saw was glass flying and me hit the ground. Then she saw the car start moving again while I was still underneath. There were pedestrians that made her stop.
2c. She thought I was agitated and was worried that I'd punch someone (this I find pretty funny!)
3. I got paid $9 in cash for showing up as a witness.
4. I'm healthy and still riding.
For those who don't know, I was in a motorcycle accident in May 2013 where the car driver drove perpendicularly across traffic during rush hour to get into a Tim Horton's driveway. It was on Leslie St., just north of Hwy 7, across from Times Square in Richmond Hill. My bike was written off, I suffered a separated shoulder and was off the bike for 2 months.
I'm feeling pretty jaded about our "justice" system, traffic laws, and enforcement of it. They seem to be very unfavourable to motorcyclists. Apparently my life is only worth $85 + $9 on the street. This accident could've very easily caused me weeks in the hospital with permanent life-altering injuries.
I'm not looking for sympathy. Just be aware of this next time you're in a not at fault collision. The other person may very well get off with a slap on the wrist.
Edit. Added #4.
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