JTR
Well-known member
I haven’t been on the forum for a while, life gets in the way, you know how it is. Anyway, I’ve been planning a very large road trip for my summer vacation. Was supposed to start in Hamilton, head to Milwaukee for the HD Homecoming festival which is on my birthday weekend. Then to SD to see Rushmore and Sturgis for the rally the following week. Then through Montana, up to Calgary and take the TVH back to Ontario. Something like 4300 miles. Well, Tuesday morning when I left for work, all those hopes and dreams were dashed, and I almost missed my next birthday. In the end I got off lucky compared to a lot of guys, but here’s my story none the less.
Tuesday morning, like any other morning, I had dutifully left home just after 5am, to go to work. I brought a soft towel to wipe the morning dew off the Harley, and shine it up a bit. Started the bike, connected Bluetooth, put on IronMaiden, it was almost 5:30. Pulled out of my spot and headed north down my street. Hanging a second at the first stop sign, I headed east from there. Travelling for that first block, I upshift once, knowing I will stop after only two blocks, to turn again. Only I don’t make it there.
After travelling less than 1 block, I notice at the intersection, a car going southbound. It’s ok, I think. He has a stop sign, I don’t, proceed as normal.
Wait, no. WHAT THE **** ARE YOU…. AHHHGH
I’m now on the asphalt. I’m Im writhing in pain, yelling loudly, face down. I don’t know anything between impact and asphalt, not how I hit the car, where I am in the intersection etc. Neighbours exit their homes to investigate the commotion. My iPhone has triggered a collision detection alarm, it’s dialing 911 automatically and sending my location to my brother. Despite pleas from samaritans, I roll to my back. Pull my phone from my pocket and begin talking to the 911 operator whose voice has been coming from my phone for a minute now, pleading to hear an answer from a survivor. “Motorcycle accident” I say.
I relay what very little detail I have, somebody tells me the intersection. I look over and see a dodge charger with flashing lights approaching. I tell 911 police are here, it goes black from here. Next thing I know I’m on a stretcher in an ambulance. The clock above the ambulance door says 05:44. An EMT is trying to keep me lucid and gain information, I’m answering questions. In an effort to keep me calm, he says my bike looks ok, “it’s just cosmetic”. He lied. He patches a gash on my leg and fashions a sling on my arm.
The clock says 05:47 now, we’re arriving at the hospital. So begins a very long day of X-rays, CT scans and other tests. Police visited me in the hospital, gave me the other drivers information, he’s 100% at fault, absolutely no argument. I’m not sure what charges he may have received.
Today I’m in a lot of pain and learning to do menial tasks all over again with one arm(I still have the other one lol, just can’t use it much right now).
I’m so thankful to be here today, to relay this story. The tow truck driver who saw the aftermath was amazed when I called him the next morning. I went and collected my things that were still with the bike, took some pictures and said goodbye. She was beautiful, and it’s hard to tell from the pictures, but she’s bent, and there’s damage all over. She’ll be written off almost for sure. As for me, right shoulder completely separated, 3 fractured ribs, fractured clavical. Hospital never noticed the leg gash that EMS bandaged, so I guess I’ll have a bitchin scar. Tiniest bit of road rash or something on my back at the top of the shoulder. That’s it other than the full body soreness that comes from getting your world rocked. Physical recovery aside, I think now I’m most worried about psychological recovery. Getting back on the horse, as they say. I hope this isn’t the end of my 2 wheel life.
I’ve got the ball rolling on all the medical stuff, and insurance stuff. Now I’m just lawyer shopping. If anybody has info for good attorneys, please pass it on. Not interested in the low yield, high volume types.
Pics later when I figure out a host or decide to resize for forum limits.
Tuesday morning, like any other morning, I had dutifully left home just after 5am, to go to work. I brought a soft towel to wipe the morning dew off the Harley, and shine it up a bit. Started the bike, connected Bluetooth, put on IronMaiden, it was almost 5:30. Pulled out of my spot and headed north down my street. Hanging a second at the first stop sign, I headed east from there. Travelling for that first block, I upshift once, knowing I will stop after only two blocks, to turn again. Only I don’t make it there.
After travelling less than 1 block, I notice at the intersection, a car going southbound. It’s ok, I think. He has a stop sign, I don’t, proceed as normal.
Wait, no. WHAT THE **** ARE YOU…. AHHHGH
I’m now on the asphalt. I’m Im writhing in pain, yelling loudly, face down. I don’t know anything between impact and asphalt, not how I hit the car, where I am in the intersection etc. Neighbours exit their homes to investigate the commotion. My iPhone has triggered a collision detection alarm, it’s dialing 911 automatically and sending my location to my brother. Despite pleas from samaritans, I roll to my back. Pull my phone from my pocket and begin talking to the 911 operator whose voice has been coming from my phone for a minute now, pleading to hear an answer from a survivor. “Motorcycle accident” I say.
I relay what very little detail I have, somebody tells me the intersection. I look over and see a dodge charger with flashing lights approaching. I tell 911 police are here, it goes black from here. Next thing I know I’m on a stretcher in an ambulance. The clock above the ambulance door says 05:44. An EMT is trying to keep me lucid and gain information, I’m answering questions. In an effort to keep me calm, he says my bike looks ok, “it’s just cosmetic”. He lied. He patches a gash on my leg and fashions a sling on my arm.
The clock says 05:47 now, we’re arriving at the hospital. So begins a very long day of X-rays, CT scans and other tests. Police visited me in the hospital, gave me the other drivers information, he’s 100% at fault, absolutely no argument. I’m not sure what charges he may have received.
Today I’m in a lot of pain and learning to do menial tasks all over again with one arm(I still have the other one lol, just can’t use it much right now).
I’m so thankful to be here today, to relay this story. The tow truck driver who saw the aftermath was amazed when I called him the next morning. I went and collected my things that were still with the bike, took some pictures and said goodbye. She was beautiful, and it’s hard to tell from the pictures, but she’s bent, and there’s damage all over. She’ll be written off almost for sure. As for me, right shoulder completely separated, 3 fractured ribs, fractured clavical. Hospital never noticed the leg gash that EMS bandaged, so I guess I’ll have a bitchin scar. Tiniest bit of road rash or something on my back at the top of the shoulder. That’s it other than the full body soreness that comes from getting your world rocked. Physical recovery aside, I think now I’m most worried about psychological recovery. Getting back on the horse, as they say. I hope this isn’t the end of my 2 wheel life.
I’ve got the ball rolling on all the medical stuff, and insurance stuff. Now I’m just lawyer shopping. If anybody has info for good attorneys, please pass it on. Not interested in the low yield, high volume types.
Pics later when I figure out a host or decide to resize for forum limits.
