I guess it was my turn

[Desertwinds]

Well, I have been riding these past 22 years without anything major happening beyond the dropping the bike in the parking lot once or twice. Last Wednesday, Nov. 1st, that certainly changed. Last Wednesday I was riding home from school on my beautiful blue '07RSV on 95N following behind an Excursion. He moved to the far right lane that would lead to the 215 exit, I could now see around him and there was a clean shot all the way to the exit about 1/2 mile down. I pulled over into the far right lane behind the Excursion where I had been cruising - both of us at 65 mph. Suddenly his brake lights go on and I'm wondering why, and then realize he's not just slowing down a little, he has slammed on his brakes and is slowing down a lot. I hit the brakes but still caught the left corner of the Excursion's bumper. I don't remember coming off the bike, but a about a milli-second before impacting the asphalt, I saw it rushing up and thought, 'here we go'. After I caught my breath and ascertained my neck was ok to move and I could lift my head and helmet a bit without discomfort, I managed to stand and limp over to the side of the road, leaned against the concrete wall and slid down to a sitting position. Hard to breathe cause I compressed the ribs on the left side of my body pretty well (along with everything else on my left side - which is how I evidently landed). Anyways, three drivers stopped including the young man in the Excursion. Seems another driver had cut in front of him and slammed on his brakes for no apparent reason. And thus the chain reaction. I did decline a ride in an ambulance at that point. After the bike was towed, Linda (my wife) drove me to Mt.View Hospital. They did a number of scans and Xrays and beyond the cut above the left eye, identified a broken left ankle, massive bruising on the left side, especially my arm and shoulder, a fair amount of road rash to my left hand and both knees, and a bruised pancreas. Because of the Pancreas I was transferred by ambulance to the Trauma center at Sun Rise Hospital for observation. That worked out ok because Jami (oldest daughter) is a charge nurse for Rehab which was located two floors under where I was. I was released Saturday afternoon to go home. I now have a walking cast and am now the proud owner of a walker I named Johnnie.

ATTGATT - I am a believer, had literally changed from my 3/4 helmet to my full face helmet before leaving for school that morning. As per always, had on my Joe Rocket mesh jacket and shin high boots. As we used to say, 'God takes care of his dumb kids'. Helmet had quite a bit of road rash just above and down the face shield. I know the bike will be paid off (gap insurance) past that we shall see.

Edited November 18, 2017 by Desertwinds

[videoarizona]

Yikes!

 

Glad you are ok!!!

 

Prayers Up that you heal quickly and get back on another scoot!!

[Kretz]

sorry to hear that story, but thankful that you are around to tell it! Too many a$$holes out there... Take Care & hope you heal quickly.

[Venturous Randy]

This is the primary reason I parked my MKI after putting 150,000 miles on it. Things can happen way too quick and I am just not quick anymore, especially healing up.

This is kind of ironic that I had just received a call from Farm Bureau Insurance from a crash I was involved in back in January. I was in my I35 Infiniti merging onto the interstate with a lot of other traffic when the car in front of me slammed on his brakes and I could not get stopped in time. It is real typical that while merging and adjusting speed that you see a lot of brake lights. But in this case, the guy in front of the guy I hit was in a pickup and had a 10 foot fiberglass ladder come out of the back of his truck. I did not get a ticket for following too close, but it was noted on the accident report that I was. My call this morning was to advise me that my case went to arbitration that it was ruled that 80% cause went to the pickup driver and I would be getting a check for $200 that went toward my deductible. I had full coverage and they totaled my car and I bought it back. I spent $550 and found another black hood, headlight and bumper cover and it looks as good as before. I made about $3,000 on the deal.

Pardon the thread drift and I also wish you good luck in healing up. One suggestion I do have for you and others on a 2nd gen is to practice doing panic stops. It seems to be a common thing for riders locking up their rear brake and before they realize it, they are down. I know a lot of people don't like the integrated braking system that the 1st gens have, but for me it saved my skin more than once.

Randy

[leo3wheel]

So sorry to hear this news! Similar thing happened to one of our other brothers this summer. Praying for a speedy and complete recovery.

[Joe in WV]

Prayers up for a quick and speedy recovery!

[tufftom4]

I feel your pain I am glad you are still here with us.

[Yammer Dan]

Hope ya heal good and quick. This seems like a rerun??? Too many happening. Those ribs will take their time healing.

[BlueSky]

You were wise to wear the protective gear. Hope you heal quickly. You must have been hurt quite a bit to be in the hospital from Wednesday to Saturday.

[Desertwinds]

This is the primary reason I parked my MKI after putting 150,000 miles on it. Things can happen way too quick and I am just not quick anymore, especially healing up.

This is kind of ironic that I had just received a call from Farm Bureau Insurance from a crash I was involved in back in January. I was in my I35 Infiniti merging onto the interstate with a lot of other traffic when the car in front of me slammed on his brakes and I could not get stopped in time. It is real typical that while merging and adjusting speed that you see a lot of brake lights. But in this case, the guy in front of the guy I hit was in a pickup and had a 10 foot fiberglass ladder come out of the back of his truck. I did not get a ticket for following too close, but it was noted on the accident report that I was. My call this morning was to advise me that my case went to arbitration that it was ruled that 80% cause went to the pickup driver and I would be getting a check for $200 that went toward my deductible. I had full coverage and they totaled my car and I bought it back. I spent $550 and found another black hood, headlight and bumper cover and it looks as good as before. I made about $3,000 on the deal.

Pardon the thread drift and I also wish you good luck in healing up. One suggestion I do have for you and others on a 2nd gen is to practice doing panic stops. It seems to be a common thing for riders locking up their rear brake and before they realize it, they are down. I know a lot of people don't like the integrated braking system that the 1st gens have, but for me it saved my skin more than once.

Randy

I agree with the brakes. The tires that were on it when I purchased it in March of 2015 had Pirellis that to me were pretty horrible. I put new Dunlop Elite IIIs on in June and felt like I had a completely new bike as far as the handling and braking. Yet, I was always careful with trying to keep equal pressure on front and rear when having to brake hard. I had previously owned a Burgman 650 and Goldwing 1800 that both had ABS. Don't think I would want another bike without it. However, there will probably be a lot of medical expenses to worry about before another bike is even a vague consideration. *sigh* But considering the speed and such, do feel very fortunate that the damage I incurred was pretty minimal. Dealing with the ribs has been the most difficult part so far.

[MikeWa]

Scott

I am truly glad you are able to post about this event. Hopefully insurance will cover your medical bills and bike. For the rest of you reading this post. Keep your distance. The only good outcome from laying your bike down is in the movies.

 

Mike

[XV1100SE]

Glad you survived the ordeal. You are right, the injuries could have been far more severe.

Take care of yourself and get healed up for the start of next riding seasin !

[ddoggma]

Really glad you are not "too" banged up. Yeah, to wearing safety gear. You beat the "Darwin" curve.

[RandyR]

Its good you're here with us to talk about it. Mend well.

[BlueSky]

I agree with the brakes. The tires that were on it when I purchased it in March of 2015 had Pirellis that to me were pretty horrible. I put new Dunlop Elite IIIs on in June and felt like I had a completely new bike as far as the handling and braking. Yet, I was always careful with trying to keep equal pressure on front and rear when having to brake hard. I had previously owned a Burgman 650 and Goldwing 1800 that both had ABS. Don't think I would want another bike without it. However, there will probably be a lot of medical expenses to worry about before another bike is even a vague consideration. *sigh* But considering the speed and such, do feel very fortunate that the damage I incurred was pretty minimal. Dealing with the ribs has been the most difficult part so far.

 

ABS is a great thing for most of us. At least the Gen I has linked brakes that many don't like but it could save you from locking up the rear wheel in a panic situation. My crash years ago when I broke an ankle was from locking up the rear wheel and going down. It twasn't fun and was unnecessary.

[CaseyJ955]

The good news is you got your accident out of the way and will make a full recovery. Glad it wasnt worse! I hope you heal up quickly.

[mraf]

Ouch! Here's to a speedy recovery.

[beastwood]

Best wishes for your recovery. Hope all heals well. Great job on wearing your gear every ride.

[Desertwinds]

Thanks everyone. Went back to work today, still a wee bit stiff, but I am on my way. Geico adjuster totalled out the bike, but did give me a fair market value which will allow me to pay it off and have a bit left over for hospital deductibles. The question of another bike is strictly a financial issue, will just have to wait and see where I am once all the bills come in. Have a wondrous day and ride safe! DW

[N3FOL]

Glad to hear that you are back to work since last Monday. Also glad to hear that your Pancreas did not suffer any serious damage. Take it easy and perhaps someday, you will find the right bike to replace your '07 Blue Venture. Regards.