In Regards to the Crash That Killed Paul Green
July 30, 2010
In response to the many comments we have received regarding our post about the motorcycle accident in which Paul Green was killed, we wanted to share a few thoughts on this tragic event.
A recap for those who are not familiar with Monday’s fatal crash: a motorcycle rider, Paul Green, 60, of Acton, Mass. was killed in a collision with a minivan driven by Robert Coles, 39, of Granville Summit, PA on Route 414 in Pennsylvania.
Green reportedly tried to do a U-turn on the road and came in the way of an oncoming minivan. Green died in the crash, while Coles suffered minor injuries when his airbag deployed – he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.
Some of our readers said that we were defending the motorcyclist’s side in our previous post. While we have the deepest empathy for both victims in this terrible accident, our sympathies always lie with the victim who suffers the most in an accident, and every time there is a minivan-motorcycle collision, the person who suffers the most is the biker.
Motorcyclists are not protected by their vehicles – their whole bodies are exposed to injury in a crash. In the moment a crash occurs, bikers may have some say into the extent of the injuries they’ll sustain (for example, if they are wearing helmets and protective gear), but unlike motorists they cannot rely on their vehicle to absorb the impact. Bikers get thrown off their motorcycles even in smaller crashes.
Paul Green was wearing his helmet, but even helmets cannot save a biker’s life when the brute force of the crash sends him flying.
Yes, we are utterly sorry for his death.
He made a mistake – he attempted an illegal U-turn, and the minivan driver struck him. There was probably no time to react.
We don’t blame Robert Coles. We sympathize with him knowing what he must be going through.
We can only express our wish that other riders will learn from this whole unfortunate event and remember to stay alert on rides that take them through unfamiliar territory, especially at night.
Paul Green’s death is a sober reminder of the importance of not getting involved in dangerous and illegal turns, as well as taking motorcycle safety courses. Even experienced riders like Green can make mistakes which can, and did cost them their lives. Other riders should learn from this.
Again, if we all pay just a little bit more attention on the road, we might save lives, not just our own, but someone else’s, too.
- – -
If you would like to comment on our blog, please do so. We always appreciate our readers’ comments and thoughts.
Posted Under: Motorcycle Accidents Tags: injured in a motorcycle accident, motorcycle fatality
Reader Comments
Hi Tom,
I am not sure what your article is saying except that you may not have all the facts!
Paul Green was a highly decorated Rider Safety Educator.
That day when Paul told his riding buddy to take a left and he was going to find a way to bang a “U” turn. Paul meant what he said: “Find a way” to make a U turn!
The article written by the staff writer on Paul’s accident got his information from the other rider. Not any evidence of the crash!
The crash should be thoroughly investigated!
Paul was skilled and knowledgeable about such care when seeking to turn around.
I noticed the crash site on Goggle.
At the area of the accident there was a parking lot. Paul would have taken the parking lot and then proceeded out into the traffic!
That’s how he taught and exampled safety to his chapter.
The oncoming vehicle which struck Paul was certainly traveling at a very high speed!
The accident was a “billiard shot!” Both vehicles ended up on or at the Meridian strip.
Those of us who knew Paul know he love to ride and cared enough about his friends i.e. that, that day he safely guide his friend to the exit as Paul met his love of riding for all eternity!
I don’t think a staff writer who may not have all the evidence did any justice to the motorcycle community!
Your article, may have done the same thing!
If there is any truth that may be gleaned or received from a staff writer or any bystanders it may not be worth reading or supporting!
ML
No. Reading, MA.
Dear ML,
Thank you for commenting on this post.
News sources sometimes make mistakes, so we are grateful to you for sharing these details about your friend which got left out from the original news articles.
We don’t mean to judge anyone in this tragic accident, least of all a fellow motorcyclist.
Again, we are so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
The Injured Biker Law team
These are not details that got “left out” these are opinions. Yes there was a pull off, and only God knows why the pull off was not used.
I have several pictures of the skidmarks, and the point of impact clearly shows that the van was heading towards the ditch and the motorcylce was sideways in the road.
I know that in times like these it is easier to place blame on someone else, like I said on another site, to the same post, there are alot of reasons I could give saying why the driver was NOT driving at high speeds.
If you would like to get technical, you say his friend was guided to an exit.. there are no exits on that road.
Again, come here, drive that road, talk to the driver of the minivan.. find out what a safe person he is.. you just might change your mind… and realize it was an accident.
I refuse to sit here and place blame on either party, why the pull off was not used is something that we will never know, the point of impact clearly shows that it was not used.
My heart goes out to Pauls family, and my prayers are with them and Paul and always will, as will they be with the mini van driver and his daughter that was following him.
Please stop calling the driver a ruthless killer, he is not.. you do not know him. Please stop assuming certain things were done when you do NOT have the facts, you have not been here, you have not seen the skid marks, you have not talked to anyone that was there. Looking it up on google is not enough “evidence” to say what you are saying about the minivan driver.
and again, I know for a fact there were no bystanders, it was on a main road.. cars were sent around the accident, no one was allowed near the scene… there was 1 reporter, and since there were no bystanders or onlookers he had no one to talk to.. he had to wait, outside the scene for the coroner to come talk to him… so again, please stop assuming things
All of this is extremely annoying to me. I am a close friend Of the victim’s fammily, and I am going to tell you the same thing they have said to me. “My father/husband would not have turned in the middle of the road. He would of had to back up several times in the middle of the road in order to make that turn. He taught safety classes. He would have turned into that farm on the right, then made a left turn-LEGALLY!” They do not place blame, and are not looking for sympothy, but people know what you are talking about before you comment on what you persume to be facts. The police report states that Paul Green DID in fact turn into that farm. There is no report of an illegal u-turn. Paul Green is not here to tell you his version of the story, and trust me, the Green family wishes that he were each and every day! The surviving family is here to tell you their version, and there are two sides to every story. I am not attempting to speak for them because the Green family chooses not to comment on this matter. They want everyone to try and find some peace with this horrific event. However, lets remember who is really suffering here. Paul left behind a wife, two children, and a grandson!!! Both of his children refer to Paul as having been their “BEST FRIEND!” All of his friends will tell you that Paul was one of their closest friends, and Paul would have said the same about each and every one of his friends. The rest of us will eventually move on from this, but the Green Family will suffer this loss for the rest of their lives. So all of you who claim to know what you are talking about, based on articles and comments, please do your homework. I was not there, and neither were you, but there is no evidence of an illegal u-turn, and the police report says he turned around in that farm as he should have. The Green family knows Paul best, his wife would ride with him often (thankfully not this day), and they know that Paul would definitely have made that turn correctly and legally-as he taught in his classes. The fact is, none of us were there except for the driver and his daughter. Accidents like these happen so quickly, I’m not sure anyone can accurately describe what happened. However, for the Green Family, STOP assuming ANYTHING! May God watch over your soul, Paul. Your friends and family miss and love you deeply. Please help bring them some peace and find happiness. God Speed!
All the witnesses at the scene, including myself, gave a written statement. The investigation is still in progress, and could take up to two years. So, the accident will, and is being thoroughly investigated.
My heart aches every single day for the Green family. I know what I have gone through since the accident, and I could not imagine how the Green family feels. I pray for them every day, and not a moment passes that he does not leave my mind.
I hope the Green family has found peace; my heart goes out to them.
I will never forget that day.
7/26/10 Rest In Peace.