I hate to be a Debbie downer on here because I really like this forum. I rarely posted...but always visited and searched. However, I wanted to post about our accident on May 13th. After a great day of riding with friends, we separated ways to go home.We were on a 4 lane road. We were in the lane next to the median. About 1/2 mile ahead a semi coming in the opposite direction was making a left in front of us into a small rest area. No problem...slowed down to about 20mph and watched as he maneuvered his rig into the area. He cleared my lane and more when I started to throttle up to about 30mph. Coming out of the rest area was a Toyota Tundra. Just as we got even with the semi's rear doors...this idiot decided it was a good idea to leave the rest area. He T-boned my wife and I as we went by. My wife actually slapped the hood of the truck as to protect herself. My wife hit the ground first and I tried to ride it out without any luck. I hit and rolled several times all while hearing my beautiful 98 Roadking doing barrel rolls and sliding to a stop. After a moment to regain my wits...my only concern was for my wife. I tried to stand up and immediately collapsed. Everything looked Ok...except for my fingers on my right hand. They were just dangling freely. I was able to get up and get to my wife who laid on her back. I asked if she was Ok and she said all she new was she was alive. At that point I passed out. I came to minutes later to see several people around tending to her and passed out again. I came to and the paramedics were there. I then saw my wifes calf high riding boot covered with blood and flesh exposed. They were going to life flight us but decided to take us both in the same ambulance. Injuries to my wife are 3 broken ribs, large laceration to R elbow, 2 large laceration wounds to her R leg that have been skingrafted, and severe roadrash. My injuries included a large laceration to the R leg, 2 broken bones in my R leg, 3 fractured & dislocated fingers on R hand reguiring pins and skingrafting. I'm able to walk without crutches or boot as 1 fractured my Tibia...not needed in the human body. They are leaving it in for future bone replacement...such as clavical if needed. The other fracture in on a plate right below the knee. My only concern through this whole ordeal is my wife. I feel so bad seeing what she has to go through. She has reassured me that she always and still has 100% faith in my riding skills and doesn't blame me at all for this accident. Of course I take the blame as I was at the controls. I talked to the police officer in my case and he told me that the guy was cited for the accident. The officer along with the paramedics, trauma Drs, nurses, the insurance adjuster, etc have thanked us for wearing our helmets. There are some scrapes and scratches on both helmets, indicating we might have had head injuries had we not had them on. Thankfully we have good insurance and will be covered 100%. Needless to say, I might not ride again. As I can't watch my wife go through anything like this again. But who knows, time will tell. Maybe we won't be so lucky next time. This time it was mostly soft tissue damage...next time it could be worse. I've been riding for 30 yrs without an accident and all it takes is some asswipe to ruin it for us. Thanks for letting me rant...I guess it's part of my healing process. Ride safe and wear your helmets.

 

Wow - glad you both made it. I hope that the individual and/or their insurance will compensate for pain and suffering. No need to answer as it's personal but sounds like he needs to learn in a firm way.

 

One heck of a story and my heart goes out to the both of you. Any time I ride with my wife I pray that nothing happens and so far we have been lucky but there are always the close calls nearly every ride, including today. Hoping sincerely you both heal, get another bike, hopefully a new one courtesy of the idiot and continue riding. Lightning only strikes once, right???

 

Really sorry to hear about the accident . And thank God it wasn`t worse . Sounds like long road of recovery but keep your chin up .As far as riding again goes you`ll know when the time is right if you want to . I went thru a bad 1 back in 2005 Ford Expidition T-Boned me left side .If I would not have jumped off bike at 50 mph I`d be dead . He drove right over top the bike . I didn`t fair as well as ya`ll ,I lost my left foot and ankle But I`m back riding every chance I get . I little jumpy now and then but riding and smiling . Best of luck to you and your wife. You two have each other and really that is what matters.

 

You folks rock...!! Best wishes for amazing recoveries to you both. So sorry to hear of your injuries, but you survived. Hell ya!! As painful and difficult as it is, you prevailed. It is the biggest worry of my life that my sweet lady would be injured or killed in some damn uncontrollable accident. It is part of the deal on two wheels and we all know that our mortality is closer than normal. But our spirits and our hearts push us on to realize the amazing and otherwise non reproducable experience of total freedom... Live free or die...!!! See you back out there as soon as possible. Godspeed.

 

Very nasty experience you both had. Hope your recovery goes well for you and your wife. Thanks for the story. It might save a life or lives...reminding people to stay focused on safety at all times. This one you had no control over.

 

Prayers for you and your wife. Hope you guys will ride again soon if you so choose. Glad you were wearing helmets. I have a friend whom I ride with that the minute we hit Yuma (coming from SD) off comes his helmet. The ironic thing is he swears at other riders who lane split as being stupid yet has no problem not wearing his helmet. Before the flames start I'm not in favor of mandatory helmet laws.

 

So sorry to hear stories like this. More needs to be done to punish the guilty.... minimum jail time for starters.

Glad to see you're able to tell the tale.

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Thank you so much for sharing story. I will use it as a reminder of how quickly this hobby I enjoy can turn on me in an instant and become tragic.

Again, very happy you were able to share........

 

Damn...so glad to hear you & your wire are still around to ride another day. Heal well!