Man Slammed for Expecting Girlfriend's Help Following Motorcycle Crash

Members of a popular forum were quick to call out one man for complaining about his girlfriend's willingness to assist his recovery from a motorcycle crash.

In a viral Reddit post published on r/AmITheA**hole, Redditor u/skiwo2209 (otherwise referred to as the original poster, or OP) said he purchased the bike against his girlfriend's wishes and lamented over her surly attitude since his accident.

Titled, "[Am I the a**hole] for expecting my [girlfriend] to help me when I did something she disapproved of?" the post has received more than 12,000 upvotes and 2,500 comments in the last day.

"I bought a second hand motorcycle from a friend and began using it to get my motorcycle [license]," OP began. "My [girlfriend] was very against it and showed me statistics of injury rates from motorcycles."

Continuing to explain that he "ignored her because she is constantly nagging," the original poster said he made the purchase anyway, sparking numerous fights for the couple.

The original poster also said he was tired of his girlfriend's complaints—until he crashed the motorcycle, rendering himself useless around the house and racking up nearly $4,000 in medical bills.

"[I] broke my collar bone and fractured my wrist," OP wrote. "I also got multiple cuts on my face and I needed stitches...after insurance I have a $3,700 bill.

"Beyond that I also can't cook or do basic things like put on the brace to my shoulder or lift things," OP continued. "I've asked my [girlfriend] to help me...and she just coldly told me if she helps me I'll just get back on my motorcycle.

"I've called her cold and b**chy for refusing to help me with anything because she calls my injuries self-inflicted," OP added. "She seems like she wouldn't help me if I got sick because she isn't the least bit sympathetic."

Despite the thrill, freedom and "cool" factor associated with motorcycles, it is undeniable that two wheels are significantly more dangerous than four.

Although data published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that motorcycle ownership in the United States doubled from 2002 to 2021, the number of deaths and injuries suffered by motorcyclists dwarf the number suffered by those driving cars and trucks.

Just two years ago, motorcyclists were roughly 28 more times likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than passenger vehicle occupants, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Motorcyclists were also 4 times more likely to suffer injuries than passenger vehicle occupants.

But according to financial therapist Amanda Clayman, the original poster's dilemma has much more to do with his relationship, and less to do with the allure of the open road.

"There was a conflict around equality," Clayman told Newsweek. "The guy who bought the motorcycle considered it his choice...his girlfriend did not, she considered it a 'we' choice that she felt excluded from.

"All of the anger is about him disregarding her concerns and treating them as if they were not real," she added. "Exactly what she was concerned about has come to pass."

Explaining that disagreements over large purchases, and other arguments related to money, are often reflective of each partner's emotional makeup, Clayman also said that for couples to move on from moments of tension, a framework to address those foundational issues must be in place.

"That's a thing that...needs to be dealt with and healed within the context of a relationship," she said. "That's the ideal."

Throughout the comment section of the viral Reddit post, many Redditors took a more pointed approach, addressing the original poster directly for the way he treated his girlfriend, before and after the accident.

"You crashed your motorcycle into a stationary object, who do you think inflicted your injuries?" Redditor u/BigBigBigTree wrote in the post's top comment, responding to OP's objection to the notion his injuries were self-inflicted.

"[You're the a**hole]," they added, receiving nearly 36,000 upvotes.

Redditor u/Prestigious_Isopod72, whose comment has received nearly 21,000 upvotes, offered an even more aggressive response.

"Your girlfriend is helping you during your recovery. She comes over to your place to cook for you and help you lift things and put on your shoulder brace," they wrote. "However, you are calling her 'cold and b**chy' because she refuses to help 'with anything else.'

"You have some nerve demanding that your girlfriend pay any part of your hospital bill," they continued. "Hopefully she is only waiting for you to recover somewhat before she does...dump you."

"Actions have consequences," Redditor u/BookReader1328 added, receiving nearly 2,000 upvotes. "You're asking her to pay for your choices - choices that she specifically spoke out against."

"Sounds like the issue is more your...communication style than anything else," Redditor u/lastofthe_timeladies chimed in.

Newsweek reached out to u/skiwo2209 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.