September 18 was a warn sunny day in north central Maryland and I was on my way to meet my wife at our grandson’s 3rd birthday. All was quiet on a leisurely ride in the countryside. I was approaching a small bridge and spotted a large church van waiting to pull out of a side road just past the bridge.
That van suddenly pulled out right in front of me as I was less than 25ft away and approaching at just under the speed limit.
As soon as this amazing sight sank in, I instinctively dropped the bike down hard to the right.
When I regained consciousness I found myself under the van and pinned on the left side by my bike.
Several sets of legs were in my field of vision. I was very hot and the bike pushing down my left side chest and shoulder was very uncomfortable.
The bike was removed and a board was placed under my back. My wife was later told that they had to pry the broken brake lever from my right hand. My leather jacket and jeans were cut from my body and helmet removed. The helmet was reportedly covered with blood and the face shield was missing. This modular helmet did not unlatch and I suffered only superficial cuts. I did not see my bike, gear or the van as they had a collar on my neck, just tree tops and the inside of an ambulance.
I was transported past the nearest hospital and further down the road to the John Hopkins Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD, I spent the first 5 days in the ICU undergoing 4 surgeries.
I suffered 8 fractured ribs and a collapsed lung on the left side, a severely broken clavicle and collarbone on the left side, 3 broken pieces of lower spine, a pelvis bone broken on 2 sides, a broken thumb, heavy bruising and road rash.
I’ve been in recovery an additional 8 days and am scheduled to go to a rehab center for 30- 60 days (they want an upfront down payment of $22, 700 to secure a bed).
I’m told the bike is totaled (they charged $400 to tow it to my house) but I may not see it in person for a couple more months.
The docs say I was one tough cookie but it will take several more weeks to stabilize my pelvis and clavicle enough before I can hope to try walking.
Worst motorcycle accident of my life but my gear saved my life. I’m not sure what my future in motorcycling holds but will take things one day at a time. Meanwhile I will enjoy my down time reading this forum (lots of catching up to do).
That van suddenly pulled out right in front of me as I was less than 25ft away and approaching at just under the speed limit.
As soon as this amazing sight sank in, I instinctively dropped the bike down hard to the right.
When I regained consciousness I found myself under the van and pinned on the left side by my bike.
Several sets of legs were in my field of vision. I was very hot and the bike pushing down my left side chest and shoulder was very uncomfortable.
The bike was removed and a board was placed under my back. My wife was later told that they had to pry the broken brake lever from my right hand. My leather jacket and jeans were cut from my body and helmet removed. The helmet was reportedly covered with blood and the face shield was missing. This modular helmet did not unlatch and I suffered only superficial cuts. I did not see my bike, gear or the van as they had a collar on my neck, just tree tops and the inside of an ambulance.
I was transported past the nearest hospital and further down the road to the John Hopkins Trauma Center in Baltimore, MD, I spent the first 5 days in the ICU undergoing 4 surgeries.
I suffered 8 fractured ribs and a collapsed lung on the left side, a severely broken clavicle and collarbone on the left side, 3 broken pieces of lower spine, a pelvis bone broken on 2 sides, a broken thumb, heavy bruising and road rash.
I’ve been in recovery an additional 8 days and am scheduled to go to a rehab center for 30- 60 days (they want an upfront down payment of $22, 700 to secure a bed).
I’m told the bike is totaled (they charged $400 to tow it to my house) but I may not see it in person for a couple more months.
The docs say I was one tough cookie but it will take several more weeks to stabilize my pelvis and clavicle enough before I can hope to try walking.
Worst motorcycle accident of my life but my gear saved my life. I’m not sure what my future in motorcycling holds but will take things one day at a time. Meanwhile I will enjoy my down time reading this forum (lots of catching up to do).
