Life change

[PatHenders]

Many Texas riders can get out of wearing a helmet by purchasing a $5 sticker from DOT. Back in Sep 05 My 1980 GS850 was laid down and then slid into a toyota. Thankfully my HJC helmet, Joe Rocket balistic Jacket and gloves gave me the protection i needed to survice. The helmet did its job the face sheild was split in two and had several large groves in it according to the police report. When I went down i was only doing 35 but i was slowing rapidly to avoid the Car that just cut across 4 lanes to turn infront of me. The jacket and gloves did a oustanding job. I had Zero road rash. My injuries were major from the 4 broken vertbre in my neck, collarbone, shoulder, arm, every rib (punchured lung), one hip and one of my legs i was in bad shape but i was alive. Over the last 7 months I have endured 6 major operations. Had three piece of titanium and 39 screws put into my body. My head was bruised up badly however not a single thing wrong with my head (according to doctors my wife still debates this). Anyway to make a long story short. wear a helmet. It takes a few moments to don your protective gear and a few more to take it off. However on the road it takes ONE IDIOT to ruin your life.

The lady that hit me was having a rough afternoon and was fighting with her daughter that fight is what caused her to make the sudden abrupt 4 lane (and ILLEGAL) lane change into my path. This simple decision on her part has taken my GS from me left me with some very unpleasant hospital memories and has changed my life forever. I will ride again and as always should something unexpected happen my protective gear will be there to help me survive.

Helmet images from the scene




Yes thats extra medical supplies left behind by the EMTs. The police are great at cleaning up!!!

[dig dug mx6]

I am glad to hear you came out of it "OK". Like you said the helmet saved you life. I hope her insurance is paying out big time..


Some one work saw a mini van pullout in front of the a motorcycle once. He t-boned the van and went head first into the side of the van. SHe checked in with the police a few days later and he was actually "ok". From what I remember I think he had a concusion and some bumps and scrapes. Can you imagine without a helmet???

[PatHenders]

In texas the minimum coverages is a joke. We recently settled for her maximum pay out. That will leave me holding a large amount of medical debt. Thankfully Im alive. Helmets do save lives however ONLY IF WORN! Just today while leaving the laywers office we were passed by two cyclist with thier helmets attachted to the rear seat!![-o<

[Can_O_Tuna]

Another testament to proper safety equipment. Best wishes on your recovery

[PatHenders]

Thanks for the well wishes, One thing I should have mentioned is that although I have a ton of medical bills and will never scuba dive again. I am making a full recovery and I will be released to return to work the first part of May.

[mark]

After all your injuries its amazing to hear that you will make a "full" recovery. Hope it goes well for you. Thanks for the reminder to have and wear the safety gear as well.

[bradleymaynar]

Amazing tale!:shock: Glad to hear your are healing as well as can be expected. Hopefully you're able to get out of the house occasionally. In the few weeks I was out of commission (see 750 pics below) I became absolutely stir crazy. I'm also glad that you do intend to get back on the proverbial horse. Just take it easy when you do, you're going to be doing a lot of re-learning. Get well!

Brad tt

[PatHenders]

sitting in the hospital and at home over the last 6 months has been hell about a month ago the doctors finally allowed me to drive again. So now I have no issue running errans for my SO. Heck I wanted out of the house for so long I have even stepped up to take friends children to a couple of events. Im really looking forward to returning to work in May. Everyone has said it must be nice to sit at home and do nothing for a few months. I challenge anyone to try it. If you love the outdoors and like to feel like you have accomplished something. Sit at home and then tell me how wonderful it is to sit at home with nothing to do but watch the ID10T box. Thankfully there are quite a number of DIY shows and some great shows on discovery. Although Im not sure how my new knowledge of the platypus is going to help me in life its there incase we are ever overrun by platypuses" or "platypi ( both are consider correct plural forms although the latter is generally used less however its the most fun to say) (wow See how much useless knowledge you can learn from the TV!)

[Billy Ricks]

In texas the minimum coverages is a joke. We recently settled for her maximum pay out. That will leave me holding a large amount of medical debt. Thankfully Im alive. Helmets do save lives however ONLY IF WORN! Just today while leaving the laywers office we were passed by two cyclist with thier helmets attachted to the rear seat!![-o<

Hope you're taken the driver to court to recoupe the lost wages etc. Even then I think insurance companies are only liable for 100K in pain and suffering.

[PatHenders]

actually her insurance is only liable to her coverage limits. We have settled however the Hospital got the lions share of the settlement. Unfortunetly she didnt have anything for us to go after. I could have pressed the issue and fought it in the courts for the next two years and I probably would have won. However a piece of paper saying she owes me X amount of money doesnt put food on the table. Moral of the story make sure your insurance coverage is more than you think you will ever need.

[Rake78GS]

I want to put in a big thanks to Brad and Pat here for shareing thier pics and stories.

I have always worn a beenie whenever it wasnt raining. I just like the feeling of it. Always thought that I would rather die than survive. But these pics and stories have made me re-think that option.

I am glad you both survived and are/will be doing ok.

The beenie will remain hanging on the wall where it is now and the Full Face will always be worn. It will also be replaced with a much better one!

Pat what kind of helmet was it you were wearing?

[Billy Ricks]

actually her insurance is only liable to her coverage limits. We have settled however the Hospital got the lions share of the settlement. Unfortunetly she didnt have anything for us to go after. I could have pressed the issue and fought it in the courts for the next two years and I probably would have won. However a piece of paper saying she owes me X amount of money doesnt put food on the table. Moral of the story make sure your insurance coverage is more than you think you will ever need.

Pat, I live here in Texas as well. Some years ago we had to take Allsnakes to court over injuries my wife suffered in an accident, which by the way we lost in court. The insurance companies are liable in court for up to $100,000 in pain and suffering. Sue her and you are actually suing her insurance company.

[PatHenders]

I was wearing a HJC helmet i dont recall the exact model i know it was dot and snell approved for 04. As for her insurance liablity ill speak with my lawyer again and see what the deal is. Thanks for the info.

[AOD]

Although Im not sure how my new knowledge of the platypus is going to help me in life its there incase we are ever overrun by platypuses" or "platypi ( both are consider correct plural forms although the latter is generally used less however its the most fun to say) (wow See how much useless knowledge you can learn from the TV!)

I would hope to be as lighthearted as you are if that ever happened to me, but it's good to hear you are on the fast track to recovery. Hope to hear your story when you start riding again too!

~Adam