I'm in the club now

[PhantomK12LT]

The BMW has very little damage to it. Broke my arm and my wrist ( left on both). Took a Taxi to the Hostpital because it was the cheaper alternative. Typing with one hand sux. I chose a taxi because I was not in pain, the only way i knew my arm and wrist were broken is because my hand would not work. Fingers will not move on comand. Going to a specialist today because they say i will have to have an operation on it to get everything put back in line and have pins hold it all together.

How it happened. I was 490 miles into one of the greatest rides i have ever been on. Hit Medina/Leaky,337,39 to Fredricksberg. Making my way home, had about 250miles to go so I took the I-10 east to make up some time. Ran into a real bad thunderstorm, so i took the exit ramp 554 to find shelter. it was rainning so hard that i could not see 20 feet in front of me, the exit ramp took a 90 degree turn to the right ( most exit ramps 45 degree into the frontage road) I tried to lean into it and make the turn but the heavy BMW just washed out from under me. I was slidding on my back, rolled over to my chest and pushed myself up into a pushup position, i saw a sign comming up and it looked like it was going to hit me in the face/neck area, so i pushed my hed and neck as far right as i could, the sign hit me on the left side of the chest and arm area. I took the sign out, so i assume my arm and wrist hit the sign pretty hard. Suprisingly, there was no pain at all, even today, i have no pain unless i try to move my wrist, and even then, it'e a 3 on a 1-10 scale.

Phone got blasted. Need new mirrors, small rash on RT lower saddle bag.

[motorman587]

That is why I bought my Garmin 376C with the weather. I will never ride in the "Red", again. Again glad you be all right.

[Newf]

Get well and don't rush it. That is a heavy bike so make sure your arm is completely healed before you put toooo much strain on it.

[Offwego]

Man! I hate it when that happens. Glad you didn't get run over and have no pain!
How did you get you bike home?

[Lonewuff]

Glad you were not hurt any worse.

Yell if you need anything. Where's the scoot?

[DanMartin]

Holler if I can help. Are you home? Exit 554 is near San Antonio.

Dan Martin
houston

[vernvernvern]

And more important to me and other bikers here on this forum.....what can WE learn from your mishap?

Stop before the down pour??

Don't try to make it to an exit when a storm comes up?

I guess my real question is.........What would you have done different????

Thanks, and heal up soon! :bmw:

[Ajlelectronics]

And more important to me and other bikers here on this forum.....what can WE learn from your mishap?




So sorry to hear of your accident. I trust you will get well soon and be back in the saddle. Never broken a bone myself, but I would imagine it would hurt like hell, so glad you are not suffering too much.

I think lesson number one has to be to expect car drivers to do stupid things and try to allow for it. Overtaking a line of slow traffic is one of those situations where the car driver often gets frustrated and pulls out without a "lifesaver". I learned that lesson in a car when I did it to another car driver on a motorway slip road. So now, car or bike, it has to be a lifesaver every time before moving out.

When on the bike and overtaking slow traffic, I keep the speed to that in which I can safely pull up in an emergency. Now watch me get knocked off!

The other benefit of slow passing is that it doesn't startle the car drivers, a safety hazard in itself. I find that the "presence" of the bike, plus my reflective waistcoat and headlight gets many drivers to pull in to let me pass.

[hallzee]

Glad you're OK. I assume that you were wearing all the gear? Paid off!

I had a get-off where I did not break my arm, but severley bruised the bone - now that hurts, for some reason! The Dr. told me that a good clean break hurts less, so it appears you've done the research for us!

GOOD CALL on the taxi. That shows that you weren't in shock, and thinking straight. My daughter had a 1.5 mile ambulance ride for $750.00!

Again, glad you're alright for the most part.

[Ajlelectronics]

So sorry to hear of your accident. I trust you will get well soon and be back in the saddle. Never broken a bone myself, but I would imagine it would hurt like hell, so glad you are not suffering too much.

I think lesson number one has to be to expect car drivers to do stupid things and try to allow for it. .

Not sure what I thought I was responding to here, must be thinking of another post.

My excuse is lack of sleep over the weekend, been working on the house in France.

SORRY!

[cfell]

hmmm. that's about the time the Hurricane was doing the death dance over S.A.... wasn't it?

Glad you are can heal and learn...

Prayers for a quick recovery...

[PhantomK12LT]

After the Hospital visit, I took another taxi back to the bike. I had parked it at a RoadWay INN near the crash. Got a room, called for someone to come and get me. The next day, I took my car/trailer back to the bike and loaded it in the trailer. Loading that heavy 1200LT in an inclosed trailer with one had was very hard to do :think: , as well as tieing it down.

So the bike is at home now,( still in the trailer :cool: ) Too risky to try and remove it from trailer with this cast on.

What can be learned from my wreck? Find shelter before the rain starts!

I was going down the exit ramp a little to hot for the wet conditions, that I will admit. With the conditions so severe, I chose to let the bike slow on the engine, rather than using to much breaking power. The last thing I wanted to do was start sliding. I was very aware of the possibility of sliding, and prepared myself for it. Little did I know the exit would turn so sharply as it did, that's where my trouble started. I grabbed some break and tried to negotiate the turn, guess i used to much break because the bike went into full lock to the right and slammed me down on my right side. I was in damage control at that point.

All In all, I'd say, don't ride beyond your abilities. In adverse conditions, reduce your speed, highten your awareness, and never panic. Think at all times, even when your sliding down the road at 50MPH on your hands and knees.

I honestly think I avoided more damage to myself by thinking as I was sliding, rather than panicking and freezing up.

Thank you all for your kind words and willingness to help.
Once I get the bike out of the trailer, I will post a parts list of what I need.

[PhantomK12LT]

Update from Dr. visit. No surgery, so that's the good news. The doc said my breaks are healing very well. I do have to stay in the cast for 8 more weeks though. He said the break in the arm was nasty, and i had a 60% chance of it healing without surgery, so I feel lucky about that. Will not be able to start repairs on the LT for at least two months due to the use of one arm.

[cfell]

that's good! keep getting better!

[katnapinn]

When your ready to work on the bike post up for a "tech sesson" in "south central" and we'll come a ridin your way

[PhantomK12LT]

When your ready to work on the bike post up for a "tech sesson" in "south central" and we'll come a ridin your way


I appreciate that allot.