If a vehicle kills a motorcyclist, should they be charged?

bukwld · 07-23-2008, 09:43 AM

Simply, if a person driving a vehicle kills a person on a motorcycle and it's proven that the motorcycle was doing nothing wrong, (non-cause of accident), should the driver of the car be charged?

If yes, post what you think they should be charged with.

koorbloh · 07-23-2008, 09:44 AM

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

tokin · 07-23-2008, 09:47 AM

where's the option for

"The situation dictates" ?

It's never that black and white.

Dragonfly · 07-23-2008, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

Guff · 07-23-2008, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

Likewise I think that if the driver of the car was DUI there should be a much harsher punishment (and not just in cases against motorcyclists).

-Guff

Mae · 07-23-2008, 09:55 AM

I just think the punishment should fit the crime...as it stands right now, killing someone and only getting a failure to yeild ticket is not ok in my book.

PeteN95 · 07-23-2008, 09:59 AM

If you kill someone with a deadly weapon (car or other), you should go to jail for a long time. People don't take driving seriously enough.

donbcivil · 07-23-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

I think koorbloh's right on target. The part that bites now is that they get fail to yield when they would've gotten much worse if the victim had been walking or in a car.

That being said, it's insane to me that we allow cars to be used in a way where the level of danger is similar to pointing a gun at people or discharging it into the air. But we're hell on wheels when it comes to driving 5 mph over or using helmets/seatbelts.

KillermondoDude · 07-23-2008, 10:06 AM

Minimum negligent homicide
to Vehicular homicide
to Murder

But alas life is grey and black and white are just varying shades

Turtle · 07-23-2008, 10:06 AM

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

bingo!

Mookie · 07-23-2008, 10:12 AM

I cant even believe this thread...."Should they be charged"...

recr8ton · 07-23-2008, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

qft

Robusto · 07-23-2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

what he said

Plummy · 07-23-2008, 11:54 AM

gleno's case comes to mind in this thread...

donbcivil · 07-23-2008, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Plummy

gleno's case comes to mind in this thread...

I wonder to what extent the law enforcement forum can help get something constructive going on this?

Maybe they don't even know motorcyclists feel there's a disparity in the way motorcyclists and drivers are treated re accidents, road rage, speed limit enforcement.

wordsareforplay · 07-23-2008, 12:19 PM

to Koor.

You ride a motorcycle, you accept the increase in inherent risks while you're on the road.

Drivers shouldn't have to fear being punished any more for an accident with another road user, whether it be a bicyclist or a motorcycle.

Clackamas · 07-23-2008, 01:51 PM

What should the driver be charged with?

What if the rider kills a passenger due to the rider's mistaken judgement?

What if a rider is at fault and kills a pedestrian or bicyclist?

The point is, operating machinery is inherently dangerous and potentially puts others at risk.

wordsareforplay · 07-23-2008, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Clackamas

What should the driver be charged with?

&

Tigress · 07-23-2008, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

.

Tigress · 07-23-2008, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by wordsareforplay

to Koor.

You ride a motorcycle, you accept the increase in inherent risks while you're on the road.

Drivers shouldn't have to fear being punished any more for an accident with another road user, whether it be a bicyclist or a motorcycle.

I have to fully agree with this too.

Honestly, it's our choice to drive a vehicle that means an accident will more likely kill us than in a car. The car should be charged for what he would be charged for if he hit a car. He should be punished for what he did, not for the results (he cannot force us to be in a safer vehicle).

Now, if you want to argue they should make certian actions (like failing to yield) more serious period, that's a different arguement.

96SN95GT · 07-23-2008, 02:37 PM

It doesn't matter what you are driving or riding, if you are at fault and kill someone you should have charges against you.

DJ Nathan V · 07-23-2008, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mae

I just think the punishment should fit the crime...as it stands right now, killing someone and only getting a failure to yeild ticket is not ok in my book.

No kidding.

Plummy · 07-23-2008, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by wordsareforplay

to Koor.

You ride a motorcycle, you accept the increase in inherent risks while you're on the road.

Drivers shouldn't have to fear being punished any more for an accident with another road user, whether it be a bicyclist or a motorcycle.

fucking troll

wordsareforplay · 07-23-2008, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mae

I just think the punishment should fit the crime...as it stands right now, killing someone and only getting a failure to yeild ticket is not ok in my book.

So...if I say...go 140 down Hwy 9...and say...someone in a car turns onto Hwy 9 from a side street, I hit them and go splat...

Their poor judgement should be compounded by my poor judgement?

Regardless, I stand by Koor's point and mine.

You choose to heighten the risk of bodily injury by riding a motorcycle, and if you're not ok with that, don't fucking ride one.

Originally Posted by Plummy

fucking troll

FastCat · 07-23-2008, 02:55 PM

So the moral of the story here is what, "If you want to kill someone, make sure to run over them with a car rather than shoot them with a gun." ?

I think they should be charged, and if the defense is: "I never saw him/her." Then they should be charged double.

SRWitt · 07-23-2008, 02:58 PM

I think if they get a fail to yield ticket it should be negligent homicide, if they applied it to car on car collisions as well. Because one, failing to yield is negligent and two it would be homicide.

goremore · 07-23-2008, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by koorbloh

they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone

mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else

Tigress · 07-23-2008, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by FastCat

I think they should be charged, and if the defense is: "I never saw him/her." Then they should be charged double.

Thing is, you did choose to ride a vehicle that is fact of the matter, not going to be seen as well as a car. It's smaller and thinner and it does blend in with the background much better.

It still amazes me people are shocked that motorcycles aren't seen as well. Specially if they insist on riding on a black bike with flat black attire where they really blend in well with the surroundings (it's one reason I wear a tacky bright red vest with reflective on it. I'll tell ya... I really don't have much problems with people not seeing me).

Seriously, sorry, but bikes aren't as visible as cars (and people don't see cars so well when they are driving either... I took that for granted after dr

View Poll Results: Should drivers that kill a motorcyclist be charged if the car is at fault
Yes, give em the hardest charges	33	28.70%
Yes, but depends upon situations	85	73.91%
No	2	1.74%
I don't care	1	0.87%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 115. You may not vote on this poll


07-23-2008, 09:43 AM	#1
bukwld Mofo Dr. Phil of PNW Joined: Sep 2007 From: Everett, WA I Ride: ride?? it's winter time, we don't ride in the winter, or do we??	If a vehicle kills a motorcyclist, should they be charged? Simply, if a person driving a vehicle kills a person on a motorcycle and it's proven that the motorcycle was doing nothing wrong, (non-cause of accident), should the driver of the car be charged? If yes, post what you think they should be charged with.


07-23-2008, 01:51 PM	#17
Clackamas MotoGP Contender Joined: Aug 2006 From: Seattle, WA [Queen Anne] Blog Entries: 4 I Ride: '07 HD XL1200C	What should the driver be charged with? What if the rider kills a passenger due to the rider's mistaken judgement? What if a rider is at fault and kills a pedestrian or bicyclist? The point is, operating machinery is inherently dangerous and potentially puts others at risk. Last edited by Clackamas; 07-23-2008 at 01:59 PM..


07-23-2008, 09:44 AM	#2
koorbloh MotoGP Champion Joined: Mar 2007 From: Lynnwood, WA I Ride: nekkid SV650	they should be charged with whatever they would be charged with if they hit a car or pedestrian and killed someone mine may not be the popular opinion among motorcyclists, but we aren't any more or less important than anyone else


07-23-2008, 09:47 AM	#3
tokin Hello Kitty Fan Joined: May 2007 From: none Blog Entries: 1	where's the option for "The situation dictates" ? It's never that black and white.


07-23-2008, 09:55 AM	#6
Mae MotoGP Contender Joined: Apr 2007 From: BMFE...take a right at BFE and keep going. I Ride: like a girl.	I just think the punishment should fit the crime...as it stands right now, killing someone and only getting a failure to yeild ticket is not ok in my book.


07-23-2008, 09:59 AM	#7
PeteN95 Zone Head Joined: Jan 2008 From: Lake Stevens, WA I Ride: Suzuki SV1000N, CRF450R, XR100	If you kill someone with a deadly weapon (car or other), you should go to jail for a long time. People don't take driving seriously enough.


07-23-2008, 10:06 AM	#9
KillermondoDude Intellectually Sphinctered Joined: Oct 2005 From: Camano Island I Ride: cuz levitating takes way to much concentration	Minimum negligent homicide to Vehicular homicide to Murder But alas life is grey and black and white are just varying shades


07-23-2008, 10:12 AM	#11
Mookie Superbiker Joined: Nov 2006 From: Bothell, WA I Ride: 08 Gixxer 750	I cant even believe this thread...."Should they be charged"...


07-23-2008, 11:54 AM	#14
Plummy Moderator Joined: Feb 2005 From: hiding in your closet Blog Entries: 3 I Ride: imaginary unicorns	gleno's case comes to mind in this thread...


07-23-2008, 12:19 PM	#16
wordsareforplay At Banned Camp Joined: Aug 2006 From: Kirkland	to Koor. You ride a motorcycle, you accept the increase in inherent risks while you're on the road. Drivers shouldn't have to fear being punished any more for an accident with another road user, whether it be a bicyclist or a motorcycle.


07-23-2008, 02:37 PM	#21
96SN95GT MotoGP Contender Joined: Apr 2006 From: Lake Stevens, Wa I Ride: cuz your sister stopped putting out.	It doesn't matter what you are driving or riding, if you are at fault and kill someone you should have charges against you.


07-23-2008, 02:55 PM	#25
FastCat Zone Head Joined: Dec 2005 From: Tacoma, WA I Ride: GSXR-1100 & a B12	So the moral of the story here is what, "If you want to kill someone, make sure to run over them with a car rather than shoot them with a gun." ? I think they should be charged, and if the defense is: "I never saw him/her." Then they should be charged double.


07-23-2008, 02:58 PM	#26
SRWitt Superbiker Joined: Nov 2005 From: Rathdrum, ID I Ride: cause I'm a Loowwlife	I think if they get a fail to yield ticket it should be negligent homicide, if they applied it to car on car collisions as well. Because one, failing to yield is negligent and two it would be homicide.