Bad accident, farewell my friends...

[frostbitevinnie]

I was put down by a car many years ago. I am still a bit nervous about it but that history won't keep me off a bike. Personal choice I know but life is short so I choose to live it. Just gotta learn how to exercise more caution is all.

[techgesture]

Speedy recovery bud. I'd probably be pretty shooken up to if/when I get into an accident. I had a very small accident about 6 weeks ago that still has me a little more cautious. I didnt ride for a few weeks, but there are alot of riders in the area. I kept seeing all these bikes riding so before too long I was back on, albeit a little more cautious.

If the love is in you, it will eat at you and you may find yourself on 2 wheels once again.

Stay strong, glad to see your report - means your survived. Remember that.

[tj1964]

I hope that you have a speedy and complete recovery!

[sra4031]

We are with you brother, hang in there.

[NoRegrets78]

Being stuck home not able to do much it does give comfort to see how much support complete strangers on a forum give. Thanks so much guys, it means a lot

There is no returning to riding for me. I don't have much left in me to allow for another accident. This one almost killed me, they didn't expect me to survive. Another accident would kill me so it's the smartest thing to play it safe, at least for now. NY is very congested, and the drivers are some of the most distracted. I just can't put my family and friends through another accident like this one. Maybe one day I can leave NY and return to riding in a more rural area, but for now I'm sticking to the cage.

[sra4031]

NoRegrets78, not trying to sway you one way or another.

Traffic fatalities in the US out ranks homicides 2-1, mostly cages.

No of us will try to guess what you went through, but I did have two brothers who was not suppose to live in their crashes. One brother was in his police cruiser making a call when he was hit by a drunk driver, and the other fell asleep at the wheel going off the road at full speed. Both was predicted to be dead on arrival.

My EMT instructor made a call one night of a rear ender. The victim hit his head and had a small bump, and he was walking around when EMT's arrived. Patient was very alert, no complaints, but without warning he coded out. Epidural Hematoma.

A nurse working one night at Middle TN Medical Center was completely normal, no signs or symptoms, fell over dead from a brain aneurism.

What is my point? None what so ever. Why did you, and my brothers live? Why did the guy with a bump on his head die? Why did the nurse just sitting at her desk die? My post makes as much sense as life does.

Do not ever forget the day you should have died, but do not let it stop you from living. No matter what you decide, it is your decision, and it has to be one you can live with, but do not forget to include your family in your choices as well.

You are a rarity. You are one of the few people who does have a second chance in life. Take care, and no matter what you do, be happy.

[cowboyup75146]

Get well soon , best wishes to you and your family.
I rode in high school, got run over 2x's, did not ride for a good many yrs.
Give some time , if you feel the time is right maybe start back on a atv or dirtbike

[Motavator]

Originally Posted by NoRegrets78

Thanks for the support guys, it really means a lot. I'm so depressed about not riding anymore you have no idea. I spent so much of myself learning to ride and enjoying it and felt like it was cut way too short I'm so upset about that.

I am sorry to hear about your accident and hope you get better soon. i have a friend that lost a leg in a similar situation and he never gave up, he bought a trike and still rides with the group. Give yourself time to heal and you will find a way.
God bless.

[TrashmanNYC]

sorry to hear........

[Reboot]

Just because you are not riding doesn't mean you cannot stay on. Please stay and share your experiences as a rider. I and sure you could give a lot of tips to the young inexperienced riders.

[NoRegrets78]

I have no regrets. Riding was something I always wanted to do and I'm grateful for the short time I had. Only been riding since April (when I passed the MSF). I do feel cheated, didn't get even a year riding, only 1996 miles on the bike when the accident happened. I rode everywhere though, as much as humanly possible. I was so at home on the bike, and I'm going to miss it dearly.

My reason for not riding is simple. My parents, my family, my friends and my girlfriend were told the day of the accident it didn't look good. They didn't expect me to survive. The people I care most about went through hell, as did I. While the accident wasn't my fault in any way shape or form, I cannot put them through something like that again. I can't myself physically survive even a minor wreck at this point. I value my life more than riding at this point. If you ride on Long Island you'd see that MOST people care more about their text messages and phone conversations than driving. I made it a point to be aware of my surroundings and one of my riding techniques was to assess the drivers control of their vehicle when they were in close proximity. I'd have to safely say 75% of the people I observed were either messing with their phone or an ipod. It's scary around here, people are so self absorbed.

If I ever leave this area and move someplace more rural maybe I'll ride again, but for now I just don't trust the people around here with my life.

[GeorgiaRoller]

Originally Posted by NoRegrets78

I have no regrets. Riding was something I always wanted to do and I'm grateful for the short time I had. Only been riding since April (when I passed the MSF). I do feel cheated, didn't get even a year riding, only 1996 miles on the bike when the accident happened. I rode everywhere though, as much as humanly possible. I was so at home on the bike, and I'm going to miss it dearly.

My reason for not riding is simple. My parents, my family, my friends and my girlfriend were told the day of the accident it didn't look good. They didn't expect me to survive. The people I care most about went through hell, as did I. While the accident wasn't my fault in any way shape or form, I cannot put them through something like that again. I can't myself physically survive even a minor wreck at this point. I value my life more than riding at this point. If you ride on Long Island you'd see that MOST people care more about their text messages and phone conversations than driving. I made it a point to be aware of my surroundings and one of my riding techniques was to assess the drivers control of their vehicle when they were in close proximity. I'd have to safely say 75% of the people I observed were either messing with their phone or an ipod. It's scary around here, people are so self absorbed.

If I ever leave this area and move someplace more rural maybe I'll ride again, but for now I just don't trust the people around here with my life.

That makes sense. I can't blame you with that reasoning. I was thinking that when you got into an accident that it's probably pretty dangerous on Long Island with lots of high traffic areas, lots of cars coming & going in all kinds of directions, lots of driveways and pullouts and the texting/cell phone thing is a big problem.

[NoRegrets78]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaRoller

That makes sense. I can't blame you with that reasoning. I was thinking that when you got into an accident that it's probably pretty dangerous on Long Island with lots of high traffic areas, lots of cars coming & going in all kinds of directions, lots of driveways and pullouts and the texting/cell phone thing is a big problem.

I've had more close calls from inattentive drivers than I'd ever admit to my family/friends. If they knew how many times my training saved my life, they'd never let me ride again simply because of that.

[Water Warrior]

Sounds like a wise mature decision to me. Hopefully the future will land you in a more peaceful location and riding will again be part of your life.

[vtbme]

Originally Posted by NoRegrets78

If you ride on Long Island you'd see that MOST people care more about their text messages and phone conversations than driving... I'd have to safely say 75% of the people I observed were either messing with their phone or an ipod. It's scary around here, people are so self absorbed.

That's not just in LI, my friend. Several week ago I noticed a car driving really crazy: varying speeds, swerving. I really though they were drunk at 10am. It was so eradicate that I decided not to pass them for a while (4 lanes undivided in the city). At light I finally made my move...She was on the phone with it between her ear and shoulder while holding WITH BOTH HANDS and writing on a full letter sized tablet. WTF!!!!! Pull over and do you thing, idiot!

[Kooter]

One of my college instructors was a Sgt Major with the Marines and a Deputy Sheriff since dinosaurs roamed, and he felt that he should have died on more then one occasion. I never asked for specifics, but in one of our conversations he told me something along the lines of, "everyday I wake up is a good day". I thought that was a damn good view of things!

My point is, don't get too depressed about the wreck and your decision not to ride anymore; just be happy you woke up today!

[NoRegrets78]

I know dangerous drivers are everywhere but the congestion around here makes it that much worse.

If I ever get out of NY, I can definitely see myself getting another bike. But for now a 2002ish Z28 convertible will have to do

[L.E.O]

Originally Posted by NoRegrets78

I have no regrets. Riding was something I always wanted to do and I'm grateful for the short time I had. Only been riding since April (when I passed the MSF). I do feel cheated, didn't get even a year riding, only 1996 miles on the bike when the accident happened. I rode everywhere though, as much as humanly possible. I was so at home on the bike, and I'm going to miss it dearly.

My reason for not riding is simple. My parents, my family, my friends and my girlfriend were told the day of the accident it didn't look good. They didn't expect me to survive. The people I care most about went through hell, as did I. While the accident wasn't my fault in any way shape or form, I cannot put them through something like that again. I can't myself physically survive even a minor wreck at this point. I value my life more than riding at this point. If you ride on Long Island you'd see that MOST people care more about their text messages and phone conversations than driving. I made it a point to be aware of my surroundings and one of my riding techniques was to assess the drivers control of their vehicle when they were in close proximity. I'd have to safely say 75% of the people I observed were either messing with their phone or an ipod. It's scary around here, people are so self absorbed.

If I ever leave this area and move someplace more rural maybe I'll ride again, but for now I just don't trust the people around here with my life.

Get well ASAP and then move to Utah, we have alot of wide open country and it is illegal to text while driving. There was a guy I resonded to that was hit by a car on his bike. He spent 3 months in ICU. he lost his left leg and part of his left hand. Two years later I stopped a bike for speeding, it was the same guy, he had a sweet leg built and a custom shifter. I just could not write him a ticket I just told him to slow down so i can go ride with a survivor.

My brother you are a survivor and we will se you on a bike again, it will take time but you will go back it is in your blood now. As a cop I see more people killed in car than bikes.

[dannylightning]

Originally Posted by NoRegrets78

I've had more close calls from inattentive drivers than I'd ever admit to my family/friends. If they knew how many times my training saved my life, they'd never let me ride again simply because of that.

same here, lots of close calls from people just not paying attention, bikes are dangerous, we all know this before we get on one. but there fun and you never know whats gonna happen tomorrow so enjoy things while you can

i been in a few car accidents (none of them my fault i drive for a living) im always way more cautious after a accident, that usually last 2 or 3 weeks and i forget all about it but i always seem to be really cautious on the bike, and that has saved my ass a few times.

when you want to get back out there don't be scared just learn to keep your eyes moving, make sure to look around at traffic and whats going on up ahead (not just infront of you), look in yards on the side walks, looked for brake lights, people inside, running cars parked on the side of the road and in driveways, always keep a eye on any one that looks like they are going to be pulling out on the the street. try to be aware of every thing going on up ahead and around you. if something looks funny start to slow down and get ready to react.

[NoRegrets78]

I regret to inform you all we lost another one. My girls friends brother in law. He was riding on the southern state parkway, truck stopped short in front of him, he hit the truck. He was fine until another car ran him over. BOTH cars fled the scene. He passed on the ground a short time after. First thing her friend said to her when she saw her next day "tell me he's never getting back on that bike".

So sad.