I guess it had to happen....

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by skidvicious, Nov 8, 2009.

  1. skidvicious

    skidvicious New Member

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    Well folks, my beloved 5th Gen is no more as I sit here nursing injuries from an accident with a car driver who didn’t know the road rules over here in Aussie.

    Back on the 10th of September I was on my way home from work on the bike when I entered a dual lane roundabout. Because of the traffic I took the inside lane which allowed me to continue straight ahead. Unfortunately the peanut in the cage next to me in the outside lane decided that he could turn right – straight into me.

    The only recollection of the actual accident I have is of me hard on the brakes as I must have realised at the last moment what this idiot was doing. Speed wise I was probably doing no more that 50/60 km/h. Then I woke up on the ground in a fair amount of pain with that surreal level of consciousness only an accident gives you and tells you things aren’t right.

    Long story short, my left leg was badly broken and required two plates and sixteen screws (x rays of my leg look like the Eiffel Tower!) to hold my Tibia together up near the knee joint. My Fibula was also fractured but fortunately was straightforward. My Pelvis copped a fracture while I found out what five broken ribs feel like. I live in fear of sneezing.

    My helmet, jacket, gloves and motorcycle boots protected me from further serious injury – cant say enough about riding with the right gear on.

    But because some things are never straightforward in life, after my leg had been put back together, infection set in. The doctor looking after me dithered until finally the top plastic surgeon at the hospital confirmed the leg was heading for major problems. Two further surgeries later and I’ve lost a good 4-5 inches worth of tissue from the top of my shin. To fill the hole I’ve had part of my calf muscle moved around into the hole and a skin graft taken from my thigh.

    After five weeks in hospital I’m safely back home and coming to terms with my injuries and the loss of my beloved bike. The insurance company didn’t blink writing it off and quite frankly because I will be a long time getting back on a bike (6 months plus), I couldn't face the idea of a bought back wreck sitting there waiting for me to fix it.

    I’ll likely be on crutches for another 3 months :mad:.

    For just a couple of days immediately after the accident, I seriously contemplated not riding again. The accident shook my friends and family up quite badly, while my partner had to be practically dragged out by the nurses after the first 24 hours and sent home. You ask yourself a lot of questions in those times. But I’ve reaffirmed that riding is what I love and when I’m fit again there will be another VFR to throw my leg over. With the impending release of the 1200, I reckon a few low mileage 6th Gens will appear on the market. After that, once Mr Honda has a rethink on some styling cues on the 1200.....:biggrin:.

    So what have I learned that I can share with you?

    1. Never get complacent. After riding for many years without any incident, I think I let myself enter a state of mind that told me I was covering all bases from the road safety perspective. Over confidence can bite you hard.
    2. AGATT – Apart from a few minor skin sites like between the end of my gloves and the cuff of the jacket, no awful gravel rash to contend with!
    3. Hospital food sucks.


    Ride safe folks!
     

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  2. safetypro10

    safetypro10 New Member

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    Get better, great attitude. Best thing going.

    Larry
     
  3. freewheelburner

    freewheelburner New Member

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    Wow dude sorry to hear that. Hang in there and things will get better.
     
  4. Billygoat

    Billygoat New Member

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    It's always good to read a story like this as a reminder not to get complacent. It sucks that you got hurt, but I'm glad it wasn't any worse. Sounds like you have the right attitude for a good recovery.

    Riding again can indeed be a difficult thing for many people after such trauma. A friend of mine, after a bad accident in which the muscle was torn right off of his ankle, downgraded to a smaller bike and never rode in the rain again. Many others never ride again. There's no right or wrong, of course.

    Was the other party found at fault & if so do you get compensation for lost wages, rehab, etc.?
     
  5. John451

    John451 Member

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    Good to see you're back on your feet again and well enough to that it only took a couple of days that you contemplated not riding again.

    You're right about the peanut it erks me no end the fools that don't understand roundabouts, for the US guys in Oz the left lane of a 2 lane roundabout should go left or straight ahead only, the right lane can go straight, right or completely around.

    Skidvicious you didn't mention if the other driver was charged, usually unless there are clear witnesses the attending Police might charge either party, neither party or both parties as roundabouts seem to confuse them sometimes also.



    See Diagrams below from the NSW RTA Website.

    Left Lane Turns Left:
    [​IMG]

    Or Left Lane goes straight ahead in the left laned while the Right lane goes straight ahead in the right lane:
    [​IMG]

    Obviously the white car in the left lane continued around the roundabout intending to go right hitting you in the side, nasty.
     
  6. havcar

    havcar New Member

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    So glad to hear that it wasn't worse. I've had to endure a pair of broken ribs myself on one occasion and know for certain that a sneeze or even an awkward breath can hurt more than a stiff kick to the onions. I practically became a two month alcoholic whilst recovering. Thanks for the complacency reminder, I think I've been a little guilty of that myself recently.

    Good on ya and a speedy recovery
     
  7. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    That really sucks what happened to you, however, I am glad you are still around (and have all appendages) to tell us about it.

    Please try and keep your spirits up and heal fast.
     
  8. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    Sorry about your mishalf, Wish you the best and speedy recover :)

    SAM
     
  9. Packman

    Packman New Member

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    Best wishes in your recover Brother. ATGATT saves lives. Glad to hear you're determination to ride again. I contemplated not riding after my incident a few months back, that lasted all of 8 days until I bought my next bike. Cagers Can't keep us down.
     
  10. drewl

    drewl Insider

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    Not the BLUE one!

    Suck-o-rama

    Glad you are on the road to recovery. Good luck.
     
  11. skidvicious

    skidvicious New Member

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    Many thanks for all the encouragement guys!! Your words certainly help give me hope that I'll be on two wheels again soon.

    The police report is yet to surface. My solicitor tells me that they are about 12 weeks behind in their paperwork. But I have spoken over the phone with the cop who attended and he has confirmed that there are plenty of witnesses who provided collaborative statements about me being "in the right". The roundabout in questions even has bloody big white arrows stuck to the road to tell motorists which way to proceed. Obviously not idiot proof though!:eek: My blood test confirmed I was sober and not under the influence of whacky tobaccy or anything else!

    The driver is expected to be charged and the third party insurance will meet the medical costs (fortunately I was still in hospital and lying down when the first hospital bill came through to me! Sheesh!!! - Nurse! More painkillers!!!!
    I can tell you it was a quick flick pass of the bill to my solicitor !

    I've kept notes and photos (of the leg) along the way on this little journey to provide my solicitor with whatever evidence he needs for supporting my case - something which is going to be very useful I think.

    But I'm not too focused on the inevitable legal stuff, staying vertical, getting back to work and appreciating my family and friends and letting them know how much they have done for me is high on my priority list! :smile:

    Cheers folks!!
     
  12. motorhead1977

    motorhead1977 New Member

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    Crashing sucks. Having an assisted crash REALLY sucks! The transportation folks in my area have started installing roundabouts at many intersections and they are more scary than parking lots! Having spent time in the UK I am familiar with the rules and when used properly they improve traffic flow. (Being left handed I seem to have no issue transferring from driving on the right to driving on the left.) Here, roundabouts are death tools! Drivers treat them as a "free for all" and the incidence of collisions increase after one is installed until people begin to adjust. Law enforcement do nothing to patrol them and provide monetary incentives (citations) to follow the rules as I believe even they do not know what to do at a roundabout. Heal fast! Keep up your chronicle of your recovery as your Solicitor will find it very helpful. If you are not doing it, also chronicle your daily discomforts and limitations from what you would ordinarily do. It will become hard to recall all the things you couldn't do over time. Good it didn't end up worse!
     
  13. madtube

    madtube New Member

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    Skidvicious, I wish you the best of luck in your recovery.

    I, too, am in recovery for an accident that could have killed me. The thing with mine is I have no memory of the accident or the seven days after. (I originally thought five days, just goes to show what I really do not remember.) A couple of weeks after, my wife went off to boot camp. She asked me to stay off for a while and I agreed. Now that she is in the service, we are moving around constantly. I applaud your decision to not let this incident get you out of riding. I originally said never back on two wheels, but now am having a change of heart. After we get settled at our permanent duty base, a new 1200 may end up in my garage.

    I wish you the best of luck in your recovery. As someone with experience in that aspect, let me say it might get rough, but do not let it get you down.
     
  14. TimRav

    TimRav New Member

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    +1. Keep that positive attitude going. Maybe one of the best things you can do to get well sooner.

    Here in the northern US, many of us are nearing the end of our riding season. It's far too easy to become complacent this time of year. You've put many miles in safely/successfully the whole season, so you feel like you're in the zone, this is easy and you're kind of invincible. But you're not. :frown:

    I've found myself not paying as close attention to the road and driveways ahead lately. Your story is a good reminder that we have to remain diligent all the time. Thanks for sharing it with us. :wink:
     
  15. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Good luck to you Skid in a fast recovery. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
     
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