Big Ben turning into Big Idiot, no insurance

[watermock]

Source: Big Ben Did Not Have PA Motorcycle License

Andy Sheehan
Reporting

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH One day after the motorcycle accident that seriously injured Ben Roethlisberger, there are new questions about whether the Steelers quarterback even had a license to drive a motorcycle.

As accident investigators continue to search for answers, KDKA Investigator Andy Sheehan has learned that police are looking into that issue this afternoon

Sources say that while Roethlisberger had a license to operate a car, he apparently did not possess a Pennsylvania motorcycle license.

City accident investigators are not commenting, but a confidential source tells KDKA that a review of motor vehicle records in Harrisburg shows that Roethlisberger has never had a Pennsylvania motorcycle license.

According to our source, Roethlisberger did have a learner's permit that allowed him to ride a motorcycle; but that permit expired on March 29th.

The source goes on to explain that Roethlisberger never took the written and driving test required to get a motorcycle license – and would have been driving illegally at the time of the accident.

At this point, the state division of motor vehicles will not comment on the licenses of specific state residents.

Likewise, Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Tammy Ewing tells KDKA that police will "have no comment on licensing issues" until the accident investigation is over.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

[Master___Pain]

Mock, do you have a link for this? I'd like to pass this on to some folks.

[watermock]

PFT:

KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh reports that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has no license to operate a motorcycle.

Per an unnamed source, KDKA reports that Roethlisberger never took the written or the practical exam necessary for the issuance of a license. Instead, he had a learner's permit that expired on March 29, 2006.

What does it mean? Nothing at all, regarding his injuries and his recovery therefrom. But depending on the manner in which Pennsylvania statutes and case law apply to such matters, Big Ben might be shut out when the time comes to collect insurance money from the driver of the car involved in the accident (if, in the end, she is found to be in any way at fault).

In theory, Roethlisberger could make a valid legal claim against the other driver, if as it appears she made a left turn against oncoming traffic without seeing his motorcycle approaching the intersection. And once her limits of liability insurance are exhausted, Ben could then collect additional money from his own insurance company via the so-called "underinsured motorist" clause.

For example, if the other driver has only $50,000 in bodily injury coverage but the medical bills and the pain and suffering are ultimately determined to be $1 million, Roethlisberger has the right to recover the difference from his insurance carrier -- if he bought up to $1 million in UIM coverage.

But not having a valid license could impact his ability to recover anything. Heck, it's also possible that Ben and his "bad stuff happens to other people, not me" gene didn't even bother to buy UIM coverage on the bike that had been given to him by Suzuki (if indeed he even bought insurance of any kind on it).

Though Roethlisberger presumably has the wherewithal to cover his own medical bills, it could be that the same stupidity that put him on the back of a crotch rocket without a helmet also has put him in a position where any legal rights he might have had against the person who might be found to have caused the accident are rattling in a gutter with his teefs.

[PatsWin2002]

http://kdka.com/sports/local_story_164115654.html

(The link I put in the big thread)

[watermock]

Can you imagine if this older lady says he was going 70 in a 30 and sues HIM? She's not hurt I don't think, but if she had been, or anyone, she and an ambulance chaser could of cleaned out Big Benji.

BTW, I think he WAS late for another interview.

[Mile High Shack]

they already had a witness saying "he was going along at a pretty good clip"

d'oh

Big Ben, you aren't very smart

[watermock]

they already had a witness saying "he was going along at a pretty good clip"

d'oh

Big Ben, you aren't very smart

All he had to do was pick up the phone and have an agent do everything. The agent would of shown up at his house for christ sake. It never fails to amaze me. He should of had at least 5 million on that bike with his money. What if he had hit a pedestrian and killed him/her? they would of wiped him out!

This is getting more surreal by the minute. Maybe it was just expired temporary plates and he had insurance. Maybe he had insurance but an expired learning permit.

Uhhh...wasn't Suzuki supposed to take care of that?

[BroncoFanCam]

You'd think Kellen Winslow would have put these idiots "on alert".

Unbelieveable...

[-Slap-]

If I'm that lady, I'm keeping a low profile right about now. You never know how fans might react.

[BroncoFanCam]

If I'm that lady, I'm keeping a low profile right about now. You never know how fans might react.

And sorry to say... Making an appointment at her doctor's office...

"Oh! ..... Ow! ... It.... It hurts!!!"

[Old Dude]

Ohhhhhh. This whole thing hits so close to home.......

[PatsWin2002]

If I'm that lady, I'm keeping a low profile right about now. You never know how fans might react.

Same with that lady that was the eyewitness. When she said she heard the noise like he was maybe going a little fast you got the sense that she KNEW he was really moving.

You could tell she was sugar coating that part of it as to not get involved in all the hoopla.

[Mile High Shack]

Same with that lady that was the eyewitness. When she said she heard the noise like he was maybe going a little fast you got the sense that she KNEW he was really moving.

You could tell she was sugar coating that part of it as to not get involved in all the hoopla.

it just gets worse for big ben the more news comes out

[Master___Pain]

it just gets worse for big ben the more news comes out

Here's something I thought about. For me to drive my car in another state, I don't need that states drivers liscense to be legal to drive there. Is this different for motorcycles? If Ben has a Ohio motorcycle liscense this stuff about not having a PA liscense is moot, no? Him not having a PA liscense but having a OH liscense is one thing, but if he does not have a valid liscense from any state then the kids got some issues.

[Meck77]

You know my first reaction to all this was like most. WHAT AN IDIOT. I have a question for all you perfect people out there. Please tell my what your greateat accomplishment was at age 23. This kid led his team to a superbowl and won it all! He's probably already has enough in the bank to be finally secure for life.

I'm not making excuses for him but the biggest concern for most 23 year old kids is where to find the cheapest beer special on campus. Maybe he's 24 now. Either way he's a kid. He's lucky he isn't dead but so are alot of us. I had a few close calls in my 20's like the rest of you nuts. It's apart of life. Atleast the kid wasn't drunk.

Please step right up and list your name on this thread if you have a DUI. Hell Grieseball picked up a DUI in Denver along with plenty of other Broncos and NFL players lately. That's more reckless than Ben driving a bike to work.

I'm not a fan of motorcycles now but I loved them when I was younger.

My motto "Work hard play hard"

Get well Ben.

*edit* I'm fully expecting the "He owes it to the fans and the team to take care of himself". Yeah well we all owe it to our families to take care of ourselves and shiat happens. Life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. I could get waxed on my way to the hardware store where I have to go now. I'll be back. Maybe. :)

[Northman]

Actually, at 23 i was pretty smart to know that you need to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or buckling a seatbelt. If he was 18 i could understand it but 23? no way. Im not perfect but this is a NO-BRAINER.

[Master___Pain]

I here ya Meck. My old man would tell don't do this, don't do that. I paid little attention to that and did what I wanted to. After doing many of the things my old man said not to, I would usually look back on it and go "Yeah, probably should not have done that" Live and learn. I've been on motorcycle w/o helmet when I was in my early 20s. I look back on it and thank god I was never hurt and how irresponsible it was. As I am getting aolder I think less about myself and more about the ones that I care for and that care for me.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Here's something I thought about. For me to drive my car in another state, I don't need that states drivers liscense to be legal to drive there. Is this different for motorcycles? If Ben has a Ohio motorcycle liscense this stuff about not having a PA liscense is moot, no? Him not having a PA liscense but having a OH liscense is one thing, but if he does not have a valid liscense from any state then the kids got some issues. Good point but why would he have a learners permit in PA if he had a license from another state?

[-Slap-]

You know my first reaction to all this was like most. WHAT AN IDIOT. I have a question for all you perfect people out there. Please tell my what your greateat accomplishment was at age 23. This kid led his team to a superbowl and won it all! He's probably already has enough in the bank to be finally secure for life.

I'm not making excuses for him but the biggest concern for most 23 year old kids is where to find the cheapest beer special on campus. Maybe he's 24 now. Either way he's a kid. He's lucky he isn't dead but so are alot of us. I had a few close calls in my 20's like the rest of you nuts. It's apart of life. Atleast the kid wasn't drunk.

Please step right up and list your name on this thread if you have a DUI. Hell Grieseball picked up a DUI in Denver along with plenty of other Broncos and NFL players lately. That's more reckless than Ben driving a bike to work.

I'm not a fan of motorcycles now but I loved them when I was younger.

My motto "Work hard play hard"

Get well Ben.
You should trust your first reaction. No helmet, probably excessive speed, crowded metro area, now they're saying he might not have even had a valid operators license.

But, he's 24 and he won a Super Bowl, so nobody who's ever made a mistake can criticize him.

[watermock]

Same with that lady that was the eyewitness. When she said she heard the noise like he was maybe going a little fast you got the sense that she KNEW he was really moving.

You could tell she was sugar coating that part of it as to not get involved in all the hoopla.

That is where you might read thru the lines as well. I wonder if she knew it was Big Ben...you can never discount a fan bending the truth either...now I'm not saying that at all...but "a pretty good clip" thru that intersection says more than you might imagine. It's obvious she turned in front of him, but 20 years ago I did the same thing. My little 323 was pulling into the King Soopers and the damn sun was in my eyes, and I hadn't cleaned the damn windshield. I'm looking into the parking lot and thru the side of my perephiral vision I saw this 69 SS Camaro bearing down on me driven by a 16 year old that has the car fully stoked. I gassed it but he still clipped my right rear by a foot. All he needed to do was made a 2 foot manuver but he just laid out 100 feet of dead straight skid marks. Even tho I wouldn't of turned if I had seen him, maybe I did and took my eye off him. I know damn well he was speeding the the cops wouldn't even properly measure the skid marks. The freakin' skid marks ENDED WHEN HE HAMMERED ME. So Barney Fife gets out there and measures the skid marks and determines he was going "right at the speed limit". This is the entrance to a busy supermarket. How is the length of the skid mark accurate if he doesn't account MY SKIDMARKS SIDEWAYS? He never measured how my car got thrown into another car, I banged on impact all the way to the right, then hit another car in the entrance and promptly banged my head on the other drivers side window. Even dazed, I was like...Measure how far he pushed me sideways and I bet I even left some more skid marks after hitting the second car he pushed me into. And all the kid needed to do was swerve around me by 2 feet instead of locking them up. So again, you have several factors here. I was just getting off work, tired, sun in my eyes, smokey windshield, didn't see him right away, he was speeding off a turn and poor reaction by his part.

[2KBack]

as a 27 year old, 23 wasn't that long ago for me. While you may not have always made stellar decisions at that age, there is a line. Something as flat out idiotic as this should be out of the system before 23. He's 2 years out of college for pete sake. Most of the people I know at that age are responsible adults, even with families, they would never pull a boner like driving a speeding bike without a helmet (possibly without a valid license or insurance).

[Master___Pain]

Good point but why would he have a learners permit in PA if he had a license from another state?

Going through the process? I don't know. When I moved from CO to CA I had to take a written test in CA and had a temp liscense for about a month. When I moved back to CO, I just went to the DMV and got the new CO liscense. No test, nothing. I have no idea how the motorcycle liscense process works. I certainly have more questions than answers..what's new?:~ohyah!:

[Conklin]

Here's something I thought about. For me to drive my car in another state, I don't need that states drivers liscense to be legal to drive there. Is this different for motorcycles? If Ben has a Ohio motorcycle liscense this stuff about not having a PA liscense is moot, no? Him not having a PA liscense but having a OH liscense is one thing, but if he does not have a valid liscense from any state then the kids got some issues.

a license becomes invalid once you register to vote in a different state when you have dual state residency. I'm assuming he proboably votes in the state of PA so thus, he needs a PA cycle license which his permit had previously expired. The state of PA would not have issued him a permit if he had a valid ohio license, but as stated earlier, his ohio license becomes invalid due to voter registration

[Taco John]

At 23 I was smart enough to know that pavement and glass wins over flesh and bone.

[BroncoFanCam]

You know my first reaction to all this was like most. WHAT AN IDIOT. I have a question for all you perfect people out there. Please tell my what your greateat accomplishment was at age 23. This kid led his team to a superbowl and won it all! He's probably already has enough in the bank to be finally secure for life.

I'm not making excuses for him but the biggest concern for most 23 year old kids is where to find the cheapest beer special on campus. Maybe he's 24 now. Either way he's a kid. He's lucky he isn't dead but so are alot of us. I had a few close calls in my 20's like the rest of you nuts. It's apart of life. Atleast the kid wasn't drunk.

Please step right up and list your name on this thread if you have a DUI. Hell Grieseball picked up a DUI in Denver along with plenty of other Broncos and NFL players lately. That's more reckless than Ben driving a bike to work.

I'm not a fan of motorcycles now but I loved them when I was younger.

My motto "Work hard play hard"

Get well Ben.

*edit* I'm fully expecting the "He owes it to the fans and the team to take care of himself". Yeah well we all owe it to our families to take care of ourselves and shiat happens. Life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. I could get waxed on my way to the hardware store where I have to go now. I'll be back. Maybe. :)

Some would say that making to the NFL is quite the accomplishment as it is.

So is Jamal Lewis excused for setting up coke deals, on the eve of his draft (or whenever it was)?

It was stupid (in bopth cases) and neither deserve to be coddled becaus ethey are "special".

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Going through the process? I don't know. When I moved from CO to CA I had to take a written test in CA and had a temp liscense for about a month. When I moved back to CO, I just went to the DMV and got the new CO liscense. No test, nothing. I have no idea how the motorcycle liscense process works. I certainly have more questions than answers..what's new?:~ohyah!:
I've transfered my cycle license in 5 different states and the most I've ever had to do was take a written test in one (and pay them all money, of course :)

[ludo21]

No excuses for the guy.

Now that its over all we can do is wish the guy the best, and when he is coherent again let him know to never do this crap again.

What will it take for players (or anyone for that matter) to learn that risding w/out a helmet is stupid. A death? Is that what its going to take?

[Northman]

At 23 I was smart enough to know that pavement and glass wins over flesh and bone.


Im just amazed that some people would push the age of children up. First, 18 was considered the age of adulthood, then 21. Now Meck says 23 is still being a child. Whats next? 30? I would like to know what Meck considers to be a adult? People love to make excuses for people all the time and thats a big problem with society now days. There is no accountability anymore for your behavior. Like i said im not perfect and ive had some bad decisions both as a young child and a adult but either way i would have been accountable for my actions. And one thing i knew early on is you dont ride with out protective gear cause even though you may be a good rider you have to worry about the rest of the world. Ben said he would be careful but he cant control other people on the road so he needs to take the extra precautions to insure his OWN safety.

[Northman]

No excuses for the guy.

Now that its over all we can do is wish the guy the best, and when he is coherent again let him know to never do this crap again.

What will it take for players (or anyone for that matter) to learn that risding w/out a helmet is stupid. A death? Is that what its going to take?


Chances are they would still say that was a rarity. They would say it will never happen to them.

[2KBack]

Im just amazed that some people would push the age of children up. First, 18 was considered the age of adulthood, then 21. Now Meck says 23 is still being a child. Whats next? 30? I would like to know what Meck considers to be a adult? People love to make excuses for people all the time and thats a big problem with society now days. There is no accountability anymore for your behavior. Like i said im not perfect and ive had some bad decisions both as a young child and a adult but either way i would have been accountable for my actions. And one thing i knew early on is you dont ride with out protective gear cause even though you may be a good rider you have to worry about the rest of the world. Ben said he would be careful but he cant control other people on the road so he needs to take the extra precautions to insure his OWN safety.


They say that 30 is the new 20, or at least they say that to me to make me feel better about aging.

[Northman]

They say that 30 is the new 20, or at least they say that to me to make me feel better about aging.


Well great, im only 36 ( 26 in those years ) so im still able to act like a idiot i guess. quick, where's my motorcycle! :)

[BroncoFanCam]

No excuses for the guy.

Now that its over all we can do is wish the guy the best, and when he is coherent again let him know to never do this crap again.

What will it take for players (or anyone for that matter) to learn that risding w/out a helmet is stupid. A death? Is that what its going to take?

I wonder if he had any "dangerous activities" clauses in his contract... this could get very ugly for him. Hopefully he recovers and has learned an extremely valuable lesson... MOTORCYCLES SUCK!!!!

[Taco John]

How old was Evil Keneval when he jumped the Snake River Canyon?

[Taco John]

I wonder if he had any "dangerous activities" clauses in his contract... this could get very ugly for him. Hopefully he recovers and has learned an extremely valuable lesson... MOTORCYCLES SUCK!!!!



That's standard in NFL contracts... He definitely has one.

[PatsWin2002]

Ben is not a typical 23-year old. Don't all the pro teams offer guidance for stuff like this? The 49ers video scandal from about a year ago comes to mind......telling these self-destructive young, rich men how to avoid the pitfalls.

It sounds to me like Steelers management did all they could and Ben chose not to listen.

When he's 35 he's gonna say, "Boy, was I an idiot!"

[ludo21]

Im just amazed that some people would push the age of children up. First, 18 was considered the age of adulthood, then 21. Now Meck says 23 is still being a child. Whats next? 30? I would like to know what Meck considers to be a adult? People love to make excuses for people all the time and thats a big problem with society now days. There is no accountability anymore for your behavior. Like i said im not perfect and ive had some bad decisions both as a young child and a adult but either way i would have been accountable for my actions. And one thing i knew early on is you dont ride with out protective gear cause even though you may be a good rider you have to worry about the rest of the world. Ben said he would be careful but he cant control other people on the road so he needs to take the extra precautions to insure his OWN safety.


Friend of mine told me some awesome stories while he was in Japan. They are very good at holding each other accountable and themselves accountable.

[Northman]

Ben is not a typical 23-year old. Don't all the pro teams offer guidance for stuff like this? The 49ers video scandal from about a year ago comes to mind......telling these self-destructive young, rich men how to avoid the pitfalls.

It sounds to me like Steelers management did all they could and Ben chose not to listen.

When he's 35 he's gonna say, "Boy, was I an idiot!"


If he lives that long.

[Northman]

Friend of mine told me some awesome stories while he was in Japan. They are very good at holding each other accountable and themselves accountable.


Thats because the Japaneze are honorable. Im not surprised by what your friend told you.

[ludo21]

Ben is not a typical 23-year old. Don't all the pro teams offer guidance for stuff like this? The 49ers video scandal from about a year ago comes to mind......telling these self-destructive young, rich men how to avoid the pitfalls.

It sounds to me like Steelers management did all they could and Ben chose not to listen.

When he's 35 he's gonna say, "Boy, was I an idiot!"


Its that SuperMan attitude.

When I get comfortable doing something, you just feel invincible. I know he says he is careful, "rides in groups", but fact is, accidents are just that, ACCIDENTS. They can happen anytime.

[Florida_Bronco]

You know my first reaction to all this was like most. WHAT AN IDIOT. I have a question for all you perfect people out there. Please tell my what your greateat accomplishment was at age 23. This kid led his team to a superbowl and won it all! He's probably already has enough in the bank to be finally secure for life.

I'm not making excuses for him but the biggest concern for most 23 year old kids is where to find the cheapest beer special on campus. Maybe he's 24 now. Either way he's a kid. He's lucky he isn't dead but so are alot of us. I had a few close calls in my 20's like the rest of you nuts. It's apart of life. Atleast the kid wasn't drunk.

Please step right up and list your name on this thread if you have a DUI. Hell Grieseball picked up a DUI in Denver along with plenty of other Broncos and NFL players lately. That's more reckless than Ben driving a bike to work.

I'm not a fan of motorcycles now but I loved them when I was younger.

My motto "Work hard play hard"

Get well Ben.

*edit* I'm fully expecting the "He owes it to the fans and the team to take care of himself". Yeah well we all owe it to our families to take care of ourselves and shiat happens. Life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. I could get waxed on my way to the hardware store where I have to go now. I'll be back. Maybe. :)

I certainly feel for Ben, and I'm not going to add to the dogpile of "I told you so's" and what not. He made a decision knowing the consequences, I feel for him, but this is on him.

Get well Big Ben.

[Florida_Bronco]

I wonder if he had any "dangerous activities" clauses in his contract... this could get very ugly for him. Hopefully he recovers and has learned an extremely valuable lesson... MOTORCYCLES SUCK!!!!

I doubt they (the Steelers) try to go after their Franschise QB and make an example of him while possibly alienating him in the process.

Whether they should or not, is not for me to decide.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

At 23 I was smart enough to know that pavement and glass wins over flesh and bone.

At 16 I had a friend killed on a motorcycle when the car did not see him. I have seen two very bad fatal accidents involving motorcycle on 285 in the last year. Looks like fun, but they scare the crap out of me. When one of my minority partners bought a bike, we wrote a new provision in the contract that if he were killed or disabled on the cycle he or his estate would forfiet all shares in the company. He had the harley a week before he dumped it with only minor injuries and decided to cut his losses and sell the bike.

[No1BroncoFan]

Here's something I thought about. For me to drive my car in another state, I don't need that states drivers liscense to be legal to drive there. Is this different for motorcycles? If Ben has a Ohio motorcycle liscense this stuff about not having a PA liscense is moot, no? Him not having a PA liscense but having a OH liscense is one thing, but if he does not have a valid liscense from any state then the kids got some issues.
It really depends on his state of residence. If he lives in Ohio and was driving in Pa then you're right. Most states only give you thirty days to get everything transfered over though. A lot of people ignore that and continue driving on their old license. Guess what, it doesn't matter how valid you license is the the state you used to live in, if you've lived in the state longer than the allowed period, it's not valid there.

Ben

[Nuggets4]

Going through the process? I don't know. When I moved from CO to CA I had to take a written test in CA and had a temp liscense for about a month. When I moved back to CO, I just went to the DMV and got the new CO liscense. No test, nothing. I have no idea how the motorcycle liscense process works. I certainly have more questions than answers..what's new?:~ohyah!:

I don't know about transferring a license from state to state, but I know you have to pass a written test to even get your permit in Colorado. Then, you have to pass another written and driving test to get your license. Basically the same as a car.

BTW, the worst part about this whole thing (now that it appears Ben's going to live), is that this incident is making Terry Bradshaw look smart. That's just scary.

[watermock]

That's standard in NFL contracts... He definitely has one.

I heard somewhere he sacrificed some money when he signed so they would drop the motorcycle clause. I think it might of been offseason. He was headed to another radio interview evidently. We can rag on him, but man, lets get him out of intensive care.

Just like Lelie is baffling in another way, I had a gut feeling he might of been running late. That's another factor. I don't know why people need bikes that go 200 M.P.H. Now he wasn't going 200 of course, but those bike will squirt like noones business. I know it wasn't there responsibility, but even tho Ben was an experienced rider, he might of been rather inexperienced on something so hot as well. I didn't know he had a super-bike. 20-20 hindsight is easy, but Suzuki might of checked up on him with a semi-mandatory "free check" at the dealership to make sure everything was perfectly tuned, and possibly make sure all his papers were in order. I know, I know...I felt shocked, then sad, then mad, then relieved, then mad Ha! Now I kinda feel like a son made a mistake. I can't imagine how people in Pitt feel. Doesn't Jake ride in the offseason?

I know God Damn Well after these two episodes Mr. Jay RocketArm isn't going to get near a motorcycle. He doesn't seem the macho type off the field anyway. I'm still kinda weirded out over the whole thing..now I feel bad for him again.

[No1BroncoFan]

I don't know about transferring a license from state to state, but I know you have to pass a written test to even get your permit in Colorado. Then, you have to pass another written and driving test to get your license. Basically the same as a car.

BTW, the worst part about this whole thing (now that it appears Ben's going to live), is that this incident is making Terry Bradshaw look smart. That's just scary.
When I got my license here, I just went into the DMV and got a Co. license. No test, no nothing, except a little cash. Hell, they didn't even make me turn in my previous license. Just punched a hole in it.

Ben

[watermock]

I don't know about transferring a license from state to state, but I know you have to pass a written test to even get your permit in Colorado. Then, you have to pass another written and driving test to get your license. Basically the same as a car.

BTW, the worst part about this whole thing (now that it appears Ben's going to live), is that this incident is making Terry Bradshaw look smart. That's just scary.

I had to know how to go slow thru cones before I could get my license.

[bronco militia]

where does the article say he doesn't have insurance?

[Old Dude]

where does the article say he doesn't have insurance?

It doesn't. But people are assuming that he wouldn't be covered by insurance if he was operating it without a license.

See:

PFT:

KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh reports that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has no license to operate a motorcycle.

Per an unnamed source, KDKA reports that Roethlisberger never took the written or the practical exam necessary for the issuance of a license. Instead, he had a learner's permit that expired on March 29, 2006.

What does it mean? Nothing at all, regarding his injuries and his recovery therefrom. But depending on the manner in which Pennsylvania statutes and case law apply to such matters, Big Ben might be shut out when the time comes to collect insurance money from the driver of the car involved in the accident (if, in the end, she is found to be in any way at fault).

In theory, Roethlisberger could make a valid legal claim against the other driver, if as it appears she made a left turn against oncoming traffic without seeing his motorcycle approaching the intersection. And once her limits of liability insurance are exhausted, Ben could then collect additional money from his own insurance company via the so-called "underinsured motorist" clause.

For example, if the other driver has only $50,000 in bodily injury coverage but the medical bills and the pain and suffering are ultimately determined to be $1 million, Roethlisberger has the right to recover the difference from his insurance carrier -- if he bought up to $1 million in UIM coverage.

But not having a valid license could impact his ability to recover anything. Heck, it's also possible that Ben and his "bad stuff happens to other people, not me" gene didn't even bother to buy UIM coverage on the bike that had been given to him by Suzuki (if indeed he even bought insurance of any kind on it).

Though Roethlisberger presumably has the wherewithal to cover his own medical bills, it could be that the same stupidity that put him on the back of a crotch rocket without a helmet also has put him in a position where any legal rights he might have had against the person who might be found to have caused the accident are rattling in a gutter with his teefs.

[bronco militia]

from pft.com:

TECHNICALLY, LAW REQUIRED BEN TO WEAR HELMET?

In light of the KDKA-TV report that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not have a license to operate a motorcycle, it appears that the Pennsylvania law exempting certain motorcyclists from wearing a helmet did not apply to Big Ben.

Which means that, under the law, he should have had a helmet on.

As it's written, the relevant Pennsylvania statute requires riders to wear protective gear, including a helmet. But the law creates an exception for the following categories of persons: (1) a person over the age of 21 who has been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years; or (2) a person over the age of 21 who has completed an approved a motorcycle rider safety course.

If Roethlisberger had not completed an motorcycle rider safety course, he did not qualify for the exemption, since it appears that he has not held a license to operate a motorcycle for the requisite two years.

Thanks to the reader who pointed this out to us -- and thanks to everyone who has been e-mailing to us new information regarding this story.

[Old Dude]

from pft.com:

...
If Roethlisberger had not completed an motorcycle rider safety course, he did not qualify for the exemption, since it appears that he has not held a license to operate a motorcycle for the requisite two years.

....

He had a permit, but it expired. Maybe he completed the safety course, maybe he didn't.

[Smiling Assassin27]

You know my first reaction to all this was like most. WHAT AN IDIOT. I have a question for all you perfect people out there. Please tell my what your greateat accomplishment was at age 23. This kid led his team to a superbowl and won it all! He's probably already has enough in the bank to be finally secure for life.

I'm not making excuses for him but the biggest concern for most 23 year old kids is where to find the cheapest beer special on campus. Maybe he's 24 now. Either way he's a kid. He's lucky he isn't dead but so are alot of us. I had a few close calls in my 20's like the rest of you nuts. It's apart of life. Atleast the kid wasn't drunk.

Please step right up and list your name on this thread if you have a DUI. Hell Grieseball picked up a DUI in Denver along with plenty of other Broncos and NFL players lately. That's more reckless than Ben driving a bike to work.

I'm not a fan of motorcycles now but I loved them when I was younger.

My motto "Work hard play hard"

Get well Ben.

*edit* I'm fully expecting the "He owes it to the fans and the team to take care of himself". Yeah well we all owe it to our families to take care of ourselves and shiat happens. Life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. I could get waxed on my way to the hardware store where I have to go now. I'll be back. Maybe. :)

sounds like an excuse for him to me, meck. don't hold burger flippers to the same standard as big ben, please. the qb of the superbowl champs has more invested in him by his employer (not ONLY money, btw) than you or i ever will and, as such, HAS to think of someone other than himself. that reality doesn't change. people make mistakes but does that mean that calling that mistake a mistake is wrong? of course not. the guy did a stupid thing and deserves the flak he gets for it. sometimes, you gamble and win--sometimes you get hit by a car and your gamble becomes public knowledge. i hope he gets well too and at least he didn't go OJ Simpson or something but the guy deserves raking for his actions. 'shiat happens' is just a way to avoid accountability and 'boys will be boys' is a cop out. minimize it by pointing to griese if you want but it doesn't ring true and is irrelevant anyway. winning a superbowl at 23 is quite an accomplishment--good for him. leaving your brains on an interstate is not--bad for him.

[dbfan4life]

where does the article say he doesn't have insurance?

That was exactly what I was thinking. Ben is wealthy enough that he can pretty much self-insure. He would still be required to abide by state liability laws. I know the company I work for requires a motorcylce endorsement or the policy will be cancelled. But insurance is state regulated so that might not be the case in PA.

[Beantown Bronco]

I'm not making excuses for him but the biggest concern for most 23 year old kids is where to find the cheapest beer special on campus.

Apparently, Meck knows a lot of people on the "7 year" college plan.... :)

[Meck77]

I knew my take wouldn't be received very well.

Slap-No winning a superbowl doesn't disqualify him from critics. Look at Elway. The chief fans still think he's a loser....lmao

Anubius- I used the term "kid" losely. Hey I'm probably the biggest believer in personal responsibility you'll ever meet. I hate excuses and don't think Ben is a kid. I'm 31 with a couple grey hairs now. I figure I could get away with calling him a kid. When I was talking to BVP at the bar this year I was talking to him as if I was a Broncos fan. Then I realized this guy acts and sounds like a kid. I started lecturing him on being a drunken idiot at the CU game. His response "yeah coach got on me pretty good for that one". lol I think Ben knew the consequences and choose to roll the dice. He lost.

Beantown- Ok so maybe my timeframe for when someone should be a college graduate is a little off ya smartass.

BroncosFanCam-Being a crackhead(jamal lewis) and riding a motorcycle to work on a questionable license can't even be connected. That's like someone trying to convice me Bob is a MAN.

Bottom line is this.

WE ARE THE ORANGEMANE! A flawless group of overachievers that never took risks when we were 24 years old! We as individuals know more about football than all 32 GMS combined in this league! We have 1,000,000 posts here to prove it! Why? Because Meck said so!

I have a good feeling we all might be real pissed off at Ben again at the end of this season and it won't be for a joy ride on a bike.

[broncocalijohn]

If I'm that lady, I'm keeping a low profile right about now. You never know how fans might react.

If it was her fault, WOuld we call her Mrs. Steve BARTMAN?

[watermock]

First I made a disclaimer that it might of been the license, not insurance. Second, I'm not sure your insurance is valid even if you have without a license. Does it say he Did? Your automatically covered till your temporary runs out I believe.

Whatever the facts, evidently he didn't have all his ducks in a row.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Bottom line is this.

WE ARE THE ORANGEMANE! A flawless group of overachievers that never took risks when we were 24 years old! We as individuals know more about football than all 32 GMS combined in this league! We have 1,000,000 posts here to prove it! Why? Because Meck said so!


DANM RIGHT! :rofl:

[Tredici]

C'mon. Big Ben just needs to feel free. That's all. He's entitled. Even if freedom comes with the price tag of a seven hour surgery and possibly a new career.

He just needs to feel free. His choice. His consequences.

[ak1971]

I
Bottom line is this.

WE ARE THE ORANGEMANE! A flawless group of overachievers that never took risks when we were 24 years old! We as individuals know more about football than all 32 GMS combined in this league! We have 1,000,000 posts here to prove it! Why? Because Meck said so!


Thank you for admiting this. I for one have never done anything wrong, an am omnipotent.

[Meck77]

His choice. His consequences.

Not that is the bottom line. If he didn't have insurance atleast the guy can write a check for his medical bill even if it is $200,000 or more.

I just wonder if us getting punked by Big Ben is bringing a little stronger reaction from us Broncos fans that other fans of this league.

Alec Raneos is banned from the site. Someone has to stir some shiat up around here.:approve:

[Mile High Shack]

Not that is the bottom line. If he didn't have insurance atleast the guy can write a check for his medical bill even if it is $200,000 or more.

I just wonder if us getting punked by Big Ben is bringing a little stronger reaction from us Broncos fans that other fans of this league.

Alec Raneos is banned from the site. Someone has to stir some shiat up around here.:approve:

no...I don't think that's it

I can't hate Big Ben, he seems like a good guy and is a darn fine QB and isn't a flava clown, so I don't think people dislike him just b/c they spanked us

I think it's just stupid for people to not know what they have

how many 24 year olds would kill for his athletic ability and his job and the people that have it take it for granted.

Just like Bradshaw says, he'll retire at what...35, 36....ride your motorcycles then

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Alec Raneos is banned from the site. Someone has to stir some shiat up around here.:approve:
Is that why we haven't been hearing from him?

[watermock]

I haven't heard anyone hating Big Ben, it's more like dissapointment for making such poor decisions. Again, I think it was a combination of factors. Why don't we lay off till he at least gets out of intensive care.

[Northman]

BroncosFanCam-Being a crackhead(jamal lewis) and riding a motorcycle to work on a questionable license can't even be connected. That's like someone trying to convice me Bob is a MAN.


LOL

[FantomForce]

You know my first reaction to all this was like most. WHAT AN IDIOT. I have a question for all you perfect people out there. Please tell my what your greateat accomplishment was at age 23. This kid led his team to a superbowl and won it all! He's probably already has enough in the bank to be finally secure for life.

I'm not making excuses for him but the biggest concern for most 23 year old kids is where to find the cheapest beer special on campus. Maybe he's 24 now. Either way he's a kid. He's lucky he isn't dead but so are alot of us. I had a few close calls in my 20's like the rest of you nuts. It's apart of life. Atleast the kid wasn't drunk.

Please step right up and list your name on this thread if you have a DUI. Hell Grieseball picked up a DUI in Denver along with plenty of other Broncos and NFL players lately. That's more reckless than Ben driving a bike to work.

I'm not a fan of motorcycles now but I loved them when I was younger.

My motto "Work hard play hard"

Get well Ben.

*edit* I'm fully expecting the "He owes it to the fans and the team to take care of himself". Yeah well we all owe it to our families to take care of ourselves and shiat happens. Life is fragile and can be taken away at any moment. I could get waxed on my way to the hardware store where I have to go now. I'll be back. Maybe. :)
The real question here is whether or not he was even legal to drive I don't care how old you are you need to have a licsence and insurance, that is the first point of his stupidity

[Florida_Bronco]

Is that why we haven't been hearing from him?

Yeah, he made a pretty vulgar comment to Taco about Taco and Cutler "together" and he got the axe for 30 days.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Yeah, he made a pretty vulgar comment to Taco about Taco and Cutler "together" and he got the axe for 30 days.
Ah! I can imagine what he might have said. He was probably either drunk or did it just to see how far he could push Taco.

[Arkansas Bronco]

I just wonder if us getting punked by Big Ben is bringing a little stronger reaction from us Broncos fans that other fans of this league.

Well it seemed that it was very mild at first until they said it wasnt life threatening. Then everyone spit out there views. Some may have a prob with him due to the game but most are just saying how they feel.

[Florida_Bronco]

Ah! I can imagine what he might have said. He was probably either drunk or did it just to see how far he could push Taco.

It was probably a little of both.

[Cito Pelon]

Let's see - the top star on the windshield is his face, the bottom star is his right kneecap, then he ricochets off the car, lands on the back of his head. He probably didn't have time to think "OH-God-I-wish-I-had-a-helmet-on", but he probably has that running through what's left of his head now.

[Jason in LA]

The more I hear about this story, the more I think of Ryan Leaf. Ben is a meatball off the field, just like Leaf. Too bad Ryan was a meatball on the field too.

[watermock]

You win some, you lose some, you wreck some ~ Dale Earnhardt

Interesting sig Cito. Earnhardt Sr. didn't get so lucky with loose safety equipment.

[TotallyScrewed]

It's not like the DMV really cares about your ability to drive your bike. They figure, if you can't do it safely, you'll be a stat. inside of 3 months. When I got my "M" license here in Colo., the guy said "drive around the block". If I made it back in one piece, I was a winner.

I read somewhere that most accidents that are the fault of the motorcyclist occur in the first three months of getting their license. That doesn't reduce the number of accidents caused by other folks. I, myself, have been forced to the pavement by people pulling into my lane (oncoming). Several people I know have made the abrupt stop on the side of a car because of the "I didn't see them". When you have only two wheels to grip the road, it can get very exciting, very quickly...a little gravel or a little oil & water mix...

Who can say how fast Ben was going? Those high-power machines will accelerate and decelerate extremely quickly. 30-60mph in a second? No prob. Anything with oversized dual front and a single rear disc brake can decelerate in a hurry. And the only reason for that it because they throttle up in a hurry.

Check out this link comparing Ben's bike with other supersports with 4 wheels...
ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~carleton/hayabusa.html

[Cito Pelon]

Interesting sig Cito. Earnhardt Sr. didn't get so lucky with loose safety equipment.

Granted, but Dale senior didn't endorse planting his teeth in a Buick and waking up ten miles away and 12 hours later.

That sig was on me since last year, and since my kids are grown, there it is. Anybody else's kids that think that's a green flag to let anything rip, that's not my concern.

[ScottXray]

Here's something I thought about. For me to drive my car in another state, I don't need that states drivers liscense to be legal to drive there. Is this different for motorcycles? If Ben has a Ohio motorcycle liscense this stuff about not having a PA liscense is moot, no? Him not having a PA liscense but having a OH liscense is one thing, but if he does not have a valid liscense from any state then the kids got some issues.

Ohio license is OK except for one thing...he lives in PA not Ohio...Once you establish residency you have to comply with the laws of that state...doesn't matter if he had a license in Ohio.
This guy is a major feeb in the head....:spit:

[-Slap-]

The more I hear about this story, the more I think of Ryan Leaf. Ben is a meatball off the field, just like Leaf. Too bad Ryan was a meatball on the field too.
Man, talk about adding insult to injury.

[Florida_Bronco]

It's not like the DMV really cares about your ability to drive your bike. They figure, if you can't do it safely, you'll be a stat. inside of 3 months. When I got my "M" license here in Colo., the guy said "drive around the block". If I made it back in one piece, I was a winner.

I read somewhere that most accidents that are the fault of the motorcyclist occur in the first three months of getting their license. That doesn't reduce the number of accidents caused by other folks. I, myself, have been forced to the pavement by people pulling into my lane (oncoming). Several people I know have made the abrupt stop on the side of a car because of the "I didn't see them". When you have only two wheels to grip the road, it can get very exciting, very quickly...a little gravel or a little oil & water mix...

Who can say how fast Ben was going? Those high-power machines will accelerate and decelerate extremely quickly. 30-60mph in a second? No prob. Anything with oversized dual front and a single rear disc brake can decelerate in a hurry. And the only reason for that it because they throttle up in a hurry.

Check out this link comparing Ben's bike with other supersports with 4 wheels...
ist-socrates.berkeley.edu/~carleton/hayabusa.html

One thing I have been told by several friends who work as Law Enforcement and Paramedics/EMT is that generally speaking, the type of bike someone is riding is a good indicator of who is at fault in an accident. According to them, 9 times out of 10 when a sport bike crashes, it was the biker's fault. When a "hog" or a cruiser is in a wreck, it was usually the result of another driver.

[Garcia Bronco]

I just wonder if us getting punked by Big Ben is bringing a little stronger reaction from us Broncos fans that other fans of this league.




We came by the punking honest

[Garcia Bronco]

It doesn't. But people are assuming that he wouldn't be covered by insurance if he was operating it without a license.

See:

You have to be a licensed operator to gain insurance. Since he's not....he doesn't have it.

[Garcia Bronco]

Ben will almost likely get sued since he's not a certifed operator and any good attorney can argue that.

[TotallyScrewed]

So do you think that Ben ever rides again? If the list of injuries reported is true, it's absolutely amazing that he doesn't have a major concussion. Has anyone here been seriously hurt in a wreck? How was that return to the modus operendi? Everything I ever wrecked, I walked away; sometimes without so much as a scratch.

It would be funny, if at Ben's first press conference, he showed up wearing a helmet and answered the questions while wearing it.

[dbfan4life]

You have to be a licensed operator to gain insurance. Since he's not....he doesn't have it.

You can buy insurance for a motorcyle initially without a motorcycle endoresement but it's only a matter of time before the insurance companies find out and issue cancellation.

Not that is the bottom line. If he didn't have insurance atleast the guy can write a check for his medical bill even if it is $200,000 or more.

That's what I was talking about when I said in an earlier post the he was wealthy enough to "self-insure". He could easily afford to pay his medical bills, other people's medical bills, and repair/replace any damaged vehicles without putting any serious dent in his pocketbook. Chances are is that Ben, and most other wealthy individuals insure through a specialty company, like a Lloyds, which can almost make their own rules because that are not considered true insurance companies but still serve the purpose when it comes to meeting state insurance requirements.

[Nuggets4]

So do you think that Ben ever rides again? If the list of injuries reported is true, it's absolutely amazing that he doesn't have a major concussion. Has anyone here been seriously hurt in a wreck? How was that return to the modus operendi? Everything I ever wrecked, I walked away; sometimes without so much as a scratch.

I'm still in shock the guy is alive. I'm glad he is, but that's a miracle. I would imagine he's done riding as well. I wasn't even in an accident, but had one close to me and that was enough for me to never ride again.

[watermock]

He'll be up and running with the pack in no time...but this time with a Helmet with the team hopefully. A whole bunch of factors came into play at once. He's probably actually lucky he went face first...sound odd, but he didn't take a blow to the back of the head.

If he had dont a face plant into the A-frame he wouldn't be here or in a coma. He missed it by about 10 inches.

Has anyone heard about his condition? Man, He's going to be one hurtin' dude as they ease off the morphine. Your face is so sensitive. He made a mistake but I do feel sorry for the guy.
That woman would of turned in front of him helmet or no helmet.

[Tredici]

You have to be a licensed operator to gain insurance. Since he's not....he doesn't have it.

I think this is the point everyone is missing regarding the insurance:


But depending on the manner in which Pennsylvania statutes and case law apply to such matters, Big Ben might be shut out when the time comes to collect insurance money from the driver of the car involved in the accident (if, in the end, she is found to be in any way at fault).

It's not just about whether HE has insurance. It's about how much HIS insurance will have to cover since he wasn't licensed it lets the other driver off the hook.

But what the heck. Ben feels free. Let's see if the hospital coverage is....