First, Muskrat, obviously a horrible, horrible thing for your friend, I can't even imagine it. But, also hard on you too, I must believe. Codolences to your friend and you. My 15-year-old son just got clipped by a car two weeks ago while on his bicycle and I am soooo happy he got a broken hand versus all the possible worse that I just can't grasp. It was my son's fault, so I'm told.
Knowing the depth of idiots out there, in addition to normal paranoia while I ride, I try to remember to have an escape route at stop lights and watch my mirrors, in case someone is barelling down on me. I don't have 50K miles or more on a motorcycle, like many here, so some riding strategies are still comparatively new to me.
Richard L.