M50 down, one mans' story.... - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Yankee 78 · 07-17-2009, 10:58 PM

I hope that these images make it, they really help tell the story.

On the way home from work Monday evening, going about 40 mph in the 2nd lane from the right on a 4 lane road a driver decided to make a play for the exit on the right. He pulled the dreaded right bat-turn from the left lane. Nothing in the way except for my motorcycle with my fleshy pink body on it. He has jacked on his brakes to make the turn, I apply max brakes to allow him to pass in front of me. As you can guess, he clipped me with his right-rear quarter panel. This pushed my bike about 30 degrees right, and I immediately went down, maybe 20-25 mph at this point. The bike landed on my left ankle and we slid to a stop on the side of the road. I was a little freaked out thinking that I was in traffic, so I'm trying to lift the bike off my leg. Didn't happen.... The other driver immediately came and lifted the bike off me, and I backed away to take inventory of my parts. I did say a few uncharitable things at this point, the other driver was a young fella, (20-21) and he started to cry. Other cars stopped to help, call 911, direct traffic and give me their names and numbers for the police report.

So, the EMS came with the police. Neck brace, back board and a ride to the ER in the meat wagon. I asked them to turn on the siren but they declined, a good omen I suppose. It ended up being a very bad sprained ankle, 2-4 months before I'm back on the dance floor. That also means 2-4 months before I'm back to work as well. Given the alternatives I am experiencing a strong "glad to be alive" event. Here are some of my observations, in no particular order. Remember that my judgment is strongly influenced by liberal doses of Codeine and Valium!!:

- NEVER be surprised by the kindness and concern of total strangers. I was overwhelmed by the actions of people I have never before met. They saw the accident and were convinced I was dead. They held my hand, stroked my head, helped get off my boot and jacket and called my wife to let her know I was OK (relatively).

- Wear the gear folks, just do it. I had on a full-face helmet, an armored jacket, jeans, gloves and thick re-enforced leather boots. The weather was 85+ degrees and believe me shorts and a t-shirt would have felt great. I decided against wearing my armored pants, that would have saved me a silver dollar sized rash on my knee. The pics show the jacket was pretty well shredded, but you can see the armor underneath the shell, it looks brand new. It f-ing works, buy it, wear it.

- If you don't wear the gear for yourself, wear it for the people who will come and visit you in the Emergency Room. 2 other motorcycle accidents came in while I was there. Neither had helmets, one died. I will NEVER forget the expressions on my teenage kids faces when they walked into the ER room. We all ride for ourselves, but we need to remember the people who love us and the impact of our actions on others too. You older folks know what I am saying. You young folks PLEASE consider your decisions before climbing on the machine next time.

- Never underestimate the capacity of otherwise intelligent people to do stupid things. This kid that was driving was clearly a decent person. He did an incredibly stupid thing though. Just think what the truly dumb people out there are capable of. I had a flight instructor tell me that I should assume EVERYONE is trying to kill me, ALL the time and act accordingly. Great advice for anyone who rides a motorcycle as well.

- Check your' insurance and make sure you are well covered for personal injury protection (PIP). I had $10,000 worth and that was burned through in a couple days. Ambulances, X-rays and MRI's are not cheap. Thankfully I have good insurance through my employer. Insurance seems expensive when you are writing the check. It seems mighty cheap to me now.

- It doesn't always happen to the "other guy". I have been riding since 1979. I've taken safety courses, I bought the "Ride like a pro" DVD series (do it, they are great), I have been to parking lots and rural roads to practice all these maneuvers and panic stops, I wear ALL the gear even If I'm just going around the corner and I ride like an old man.

Thanks for listening to my rant. I will post this and hope that the pics came through. If not, I'll have one of the tech-savvy teenage eating machines show me how to do it.

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