I could have easily died on the 24/04/07 - my crash

[mynameis]

One fine Tuesday morning on the 24th of April I was heading to work as usual on my bike. I was at a set of traffic lights on constellation drive (for those who know the road - Auckland) turning right to get onto the motorway.

There is another set of traffic lights prior to the one where you turn onto the motorway; both had turned green so I had built up some speed before turning right. Went past one and then turned right on the second one when some guy from the opposite side crossed red light.

I was leant over and in the blink of an eye I saw him, next thing was, I had hit him hard everything went black and then I flew into the air about 5-8 meters, could see everything again and then a few bangs on the road (my helmet) and a couple of rolls.

It hurt as fuck my hips, knees, legs, ankle and left hand. All this happened in just a few seconds, I didn't even get time to say "0oh fuck" when I saw the car let alone react, tilt the bike up, brake, steer away.

Ambo came, took me to hospital and spent the whole day at the emergency x-rays, scans and blood tests. Few broken bones in my left hand, thank god I am right handed and a few bad bruises, was put on cast, cleared and discharged after spending the whole day there.

Bone wasn't healing properly after two weeks so went through surgery about a week an a half ago and got it plated (as recommended by doctors), just resting at home and recovering. Bike is badly damaged with structural damage as well, so it's been written off and history now, sorry to those who loved my little ZXR 250 and thought it was a minta. No more.

Must say a big big thanks to Dave at Kiwibike (going through Star), what an awesome bloke mate he's genuine and sincere and does truly work for his customers best interest. Top bloke! I got paid out in full within weeks which I am really glad about. Sometimes it can be a nightmare dealing insurance companies.

The fucked up thing is the other guy continued pleading not guilty but luckily there were two witnesses saying he did cross red light and police later came to the site and they are charging him with dangerous driving causing injury. He did not have insurance and now he's in shit. He's looking at something well in excess of $10,000 total bill just to cross a red light and save a few seconds of his life! What a prick!

It could have been much worse so I am grateful I am alive because if I was either a second faster or he was a second slower he would have hit me head on and I was leant to the right so would have fallen straight on the road and he would have definitely run me over all four wheels as it took him ages to stop, he was doing roughly about 60-70 odd k's and I was probably 30-40 k's. Imagine being run over by a car both wheels twice. I probably would have died on the spot but again I am lucky and happy to get away.

Thanks for reading so far, so the moral of the story is even though you are at traffic lights and it's you're right off way and you don't generally look left, right or ahead please do so. Change your mind set although it's hard because there are too many idiots out there and this was my first accident in about 1.5 years of riding.

What now take it easy for 3 months as I have been advised by the doctors so that's till end of July, August start and I am getting my full in September. Was thinking of either a 400 or v twin 650 before getting a 600, after my full but see how things go. Loved ones were really worried and don't want me to get back on bikes but I am itching.

P.s The diagram isn't too accurate in terms of the right hand corner, I was leant over not going straight as indicated.

[MSTRS]

Now I don't have to ask what happened....sheesh, you were (un)lucky. As riders, we can never be too careful. But let's face it - red runners are commonplace, but are still unexpected, eh? Heal well and fast.

[kiwifruit]

get well soon man

[Mully]

Mate,

Bad luck. Glad you are OKish.

Guess this proves all cages are trying to kill all bikers all the time.

And the value of good gear.

[quallman1234]

Bugger!, im glad your ok :), hope you heal fast.

[Devil]

Glad you're in one piece. Mildly concerning however since I am regularly around that intersection. Haven't had any problems with runners before though (the lights normally have enough time between the red --> green that it's not a problem). He must have been REAL late.

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Arsehole! I just about died in '86 when a dipshit 'lady' driver made an unsignalled right hand turn in front of me while driving her old Vauxhall Viva (not so old back then). I flew through the air like Superman, but unlike Superman landed heavily breaking my right femur and gouging a huge piece of my right calf out in the process. 2 months in ward 18 at Middlemore, various operations inc a nice 24cm metal rod hammered into my leg to hold it together were enough to see me off the road on a bike until this year. You're real lucky, but don't let it put you off too much. I didn't know what I was missing until I mounted my first bike in over 20 years, don't let these cunts take your enjoyment away - just keep your eyes peeled! :dodge:
I wish you a speedy recovery!

[Indiana_Jones]

Bloody hell. Good to see you're ok mate :)

Also, make sure you keep onto the cops. When I got hit by a drunk driver, they charged him etc, asked me what ammount I wanted for reperation (I only had 3rd party, and his insurance wasn't gonna pay).

I find out today he's been convicted etc, and I havn't got any reperation. Gonna get onto the cops about it.

-Indy

[crashe]

mynameis - I am pleased to hear that you are gonna be ok..... real shame your baby is munted thou.

Yeah, do what the dr's say to do and rest up.

Good luck in the hunt for a new bike...... there will be one out there with your name on it.

[Jeaves]

Glad your still with us dude.

[daaatomic]

glad to hear you're ok(ok, meaning you can still walk and talk), hopefully the cops nail the guy that hit you.

[SPman]

Glad you are in one piece.
That's a nasty intersection - seen several close calls and a car/car in the same circumstances as you! Even when you are on alert, it's amazing how fast things can happen....

[Nasty]

Good luck with the healing ... you baby looks so bad ... :( .. but your body will heal and I am sure you will be back and rearing to go.!!

[gijoe1313]

Crikey - glad to hear you're still with us, guess your asphalt angel was doing some quick work there! :gob:

Hope your healing goes quick and well and start drooling over your next ride of choice! :yes:

[Swoop]

Bloody red light runners:bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

[hazard02]

I don't get worked up about much, but the amount of red light running in Auckland is getting ridiculous. It seems that ever since it was all over the news, more and more drivers are adopting the "fu*k it, everyone else is" attitude. I can't undersatnd why there aren't red light cameras at every major intersection around these parts. They'd pay for themselves in half an hour.

Anyway, good to hear you're on the mend and best of luck on finding a new bike .

[90s]

Thanks for the report - hope you get better soon and are able to get what you want with your payout.
Bling for you keeping it all together despite the setback.
My mind boggles with the way people will take risks for no real gain. One guy last year didn't bother wiping his misted windows in the morning, and could not see out when pulling onto the road - certainly couldn't see me. Just swerved around him, and his defence "I couldn't see you" made me say "that's fine then. Maybe you didn't just hit me and it was a dream. Hit the next person "you don't see" and you will ruin your life, their life and their familes - how about take 20 secs to clear your vis?".
There was more swearing involved though.

Good luck - keep us posted.

[McJim]

Glad you're alive - are the police going to press charges against the fuckwit?

Glad you were found not at fault.

Heal well and heal soon.

(edit) As for the bike - you should be able to buff that out with a bit of sandpaper eh?

[Buster]

Bad luck buddy. Its crap when its someone elses fault too.
Hope to see you out there again soon.

[Guided_monkey]

Good to hear you survived..... pity about the bike.

Yet another example of bloody cages trying to beat the lights. I wish the cops would charge one of these clowns with attempted murder........ It might make some of them stop and think next time.

[Macktheknife]

Glad to hear you are doing ok now, bugger about your bike mate!
I too hope they charge the bastard with as much as possible, take care, heal well and fast.
Mack

[EJT]

Get well mate. Hope everything turns out well for you and they nail this prick. Glad you had a couple of witnesses to verify that he ran the red light. Makes my blood boil that some tosser can really hurt someone by doing such a stupid act then try and avoid liability by saying they didn't do it.

[vamr]

My biggest fear on the bike is when I'm faced with a situation, like this, that is completely outside your control and possible intervention.

Heal up and will spot you on the road soon.

[Leong]

Sorry to hear about this..... Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[bell]

Thanks for reading so far, so the moral of the story is even though you are at traffic lights and it's you're right off way and you don't generally look left, right or ahead please do so. Change your mind set although it's hard because there are too many idiots out there and this was my first accident in about 1.5 years of riding.

Crikey! Glad you're still here to write about this one. Sounds like it was very close to there being a very different outcome for you.

It reminds me of the TV ad campaigns that they've run in Australia and the UK too I think: LOOK LEFT, LOOK RIGHT, LOOK BIKE. These ads were aimed at T intersections and roundabouts, but no amount of education is realistically going to stop idiots from running red lights. Enforcement in the form of cameras is required IMO.


Also, make sure you keep onto the cops. When I got hit by a drunk driver, they charged him etc, asked me what ammount I wanted for reperation (I only had 3rd party, and his insurance wasn't gonna pay).

I find out today he's been convicted etc, and I havn't got any reperation. Gonna get onto the cops about it.

-Indy

Asking for a copy of the Victims Rights Act of 2002 should get their attention...failing that ask to speak to one of the Victim Support staff and they should be able to assist too. Hope you get something sorted soon.

[jtzzr]

Maximum suckage mate , well at least a bike ( shame it`s a minter) can be replaced , glad your`e still with us. Red light runners are shitbags , you would`nt believe how much it happens in South Aucks on a daily basis and they`re the only the ones I see. Heal up soon.

[toycollector10]

Whenever you are pulling away from green light from a standing start when you are first to go ALWAYS look right, then left, then right again. That just increases your odds by about 90 percent. If you are "eyes front" you won't even see the red light running cage comming.

[The Pastor]

Im glad your not dead, Take it easy out there.

Another reason I don't ride in the city (if I can help it).

[Cr1MiNaL]

Good u made it mate, I kno what a cage windscreen can feel like on ur face at 60 i was zoned out for 3 hrs(i was on my cycle) didnt even know where I was, thought I was dreaming it. just 1 or 2 panels to replace aye? gud u hav insurance too :P get urself another one after u recover fully...

Raj.

[mynameis]

Thanks guys for all the posts and pm's and your support, you lot are incredibly awesome. Just in recovery mode now typing with one hand and the odd occasion with other.

You would not imagine you would have too many appointments but surprisingly there are, going to Manukau Super Clinic all the way there hehe and then Acc and then Physiotherapy. I am going to a Chinese Medical Centre as well as I find them very helpful. GP's ect ect ... and it does keep me busy.

I'll reply to individual posts later on once again thanks so much for your kind words I really do appreciate it :)

[Karma]

I am going to a Chinese Medical Centre as well as I find them very helpful.


Yeh I can imagine, but aren't you a bit beat up for that so soon? just make sure you tell her to go easy on ya, and leave a tip ;)

[FkNAmerican]

wow, glad your ok. It seems every single F'ing day some moron driver does something to piss me off. Just yesterday I had a high school girl talking on her cell while driving in front of me. She pulls off the road onto the shoulder like she's gonna stop to talk then suddenly and without signalling (or fucking looking) she swings around to pull and illegal u-turn from the grass!!!!

Thank god I was paying attention as I followed her and imediately spotted "moron on a cell phone" alert hehe. So the second she pulled off the road I was already on the brake a bit and downshifting a gear ready for some bullshite. If I hadnt done that I would have passed her just as she gunned it to swing around and I'd have been over her hood.....maybe into oncoming traffic...and prolly dead right now. Luckily I was ready and was able to stop in time and I even did a quick check of the mirrors to make sure I wasnt gonna get rear ended by some idiot...they do travel in packs you know!!!!

Not 20 minutes later as I was leaving the bookstore after a coffee, and steadily getting less angry about what had happened earlier, some moron stopped at a light going straight suddenly decided he wanted to make a right and gunned it into the right lane exactly as I passed him without signalling or looking.......Im glad I practice my emergency manuevers because they came in handy then. I missed him by inches. He then had the nerve to pull up next to me at the next light, lean out the window, and yell "well nothing happened!!! NOTHING happened did it??". If it hadnt been a busy intersection I'd have been off my bike and kicking his teeth in. GRRRRR!!!

This all got me thinking: If I hadnt been to some bits of Europe where I swear people must think driving is a game of Russian Roulette (as in England, Portugal, and Italy where people cant seem to understand that driving is not suppossed to be a death sport) I'd say American drivers are the worst in the world. Well, at the very least American drivers are somewhere in the top 20 of the worlds worst drivers with perhaps zee Germans and French being among the best drivers in the world. I would like to see every single American driver made to take a driving test every 2 years no matter what. I would also like it recognized that driving is not a right but a priviledge and if you cant pass the test....then buy a scooter or ride public transport!!!! Im tired of seeing people on the road who lack the skills necessary to be there in the first place!!!! What the hell is the point of the DMV if they are just letting anybody on the road. Do you have to come in raging fucking drunk to fail or what?!?!?!

Another thing I noticed: My driving in a car has improved significantly ever since I started riding a motorcycle. I drive slower, pay closer attention to traffic and other drivers,look more closely at intersections, give proper spacing, look farther ahead etc........I think the world doesnt need more traffic cops or more speed cameras (thankfully we dont have gatsos in my neck of the woods!!!).....what the world needs is more people on motorcycles!!!!! I am willing to bet $5,000 to anyone that there would be a direct correlation between the number of people riding a motorcycle and the decline in traffic accidents!!!!!

All people able to do so should be required to ride a motorcycle as an integral part of being a skilled motorist in general!!!! Thats my crazy Americans two cents on the matter anyway! Thank you and good night.

[xwhatsit]

I am going to a Chinese Medical Centre as well as I find them very helpful.

Bugger that is a mofo of a crash. Best wishes for your recovery!

When I recently dislocated my knee and tore the muscles in it, my girlfriend's mum decided I should come over for dinner. Downstairs she's got this whole wall, with about 10 shelves from the floor to the ceiling, all with little plastic containers and jars with strange powders and bones and herbs and all kinds of stuff. In one there's little dried lizards, no joke.

So we have dinner like usual; next thing she gives me this little bowl of soup, just for me. `Try this Tom, in English you could call it Tendon Soup'. She explains it has the tendons from the knee of a deer (which are these fatty-looking hard-but-soft tubes floating around) and this clear broth which contains all manner of herbs.

It was fucking horrible. I know you eat bad things once in a while, and normally I'm really good, but this was really difficult to eat; it was so bitter, it was like drinking something from Chemistry at school. Bitter bitter bitter, like sodium hydroxide or who knows. And the deer knee tendons... man. That was a real trial :)

However my knee got better sooner than anybody expected :D

Ask them for some deer tendon soup :yes:

[skidMark]

yeah mate i saw the bike up for auction on trademe

from riding it once it was a nice bike a bloodey shame...

bikes can be replaced people cannot

see ya out there when ya get ya next bike matey.:rockon:

[jafar]

Bloody hell. Good to see you're ok mate :)

Also, make sure you keep onto the cops. When I got hit by a drunk driver, they charged him etc, asked me what ammount I wanted for reperation (I only had 3rd party, and his insurance wasn't gonna pay).

I find out today he's been convicted etc, and I havn't got any reperation. Gonna get onto the cops about it.

-Indy

To fix this problem you need to get ALL your bills & expenses together for the total cost of the accident & send the guy an invoice with 7 days to pay. When he doesn't pay you take him to the small claims tribunal or the courts & have it deducted from his wages.

[inlinefour]

One fine Tuesday morning on the 24th of April I was heading to work as usual on my bike. I was at a set of traffic lights on constellation drive (for those who know the road - Auckland) turning right to get onto the motorway.

There is another set of traffic lights prior to the one where you turn onto the motorway; both had turned green so I had built up some speed before turning right. Went past one and then turned right on the second one when some guy from the opposite side crossed red light.

I was leant over and in the blink of an eye I saw him, next thing was, I had hit him hard everything went black and then I flew into the air about 5-8 meters, could see everything again and then a few bangs on the road (my helmet) and a couple of rolls.

It hurt as fuck my hips, knees, legs, ankle and left hand. All this happened in just a few seconds, I didn't even get time to say "0oh fuck" when I saw the car let alone react, tilt the bike up, brake, steer away.

Ambo came, took me to hospital and spent the whole day at the emergency x-rays, scans and blood tests. Few broken bones in my left hand, thank god I am right handed and a few bad bruises, was put on cast, cleared and discharged after spending the whole day there.

Bone wasn't healing properly after two weeks so went through surgery about a week an a half ago and got it plated (as recommended by doctors), just resting at home and recovering. Bike is badly damaged with structural damage as well, so it's been written off and history now, sorry to those who loved my little ZXR 250 and thought it was a minta. No more.

Must say a big big thanks to Dave at Kiwibike (going through Star), what an awesome bloke mate he's genuine and sincere and does truly work for his customers best interest. Top bloke! I got paid out in full within weeks which I am really glad about. Sometimes it can be a nightmare dealing insurance companies.

The fucked up thing is the other guy continued pleading not guilty but luckily there were two witnesses saying he did cross red light and police later came to the site and they are charging him with dangerous driving causing injury. He did not have insurance and now he's in shit. He's looking at something well in excess of $10,000 total bill just to cross a red light and save a few seconds of his life! What a prick!

It could have been much worse so I am grateful I am alive because if I was either a second faster or he was a second slower he would have hit me head on and I was leant to the right so would have fallen straight on the road and he would have definitely run me over all four wheels as it took him ages to stop, he was doing roughly about 60-70 odd k's and I was probably 30-40 k's. Imagine being run over by a car both wheels twice. I probably would have died on the spot but again I am lucky and happy to get away.

Thanks for reading so far, so the moral of the story is even though you are at traffic lights and it's you're right off way and you don't generally look left, right or ahead please do so. Change your mind set although it's hard because there are too many idiots out there and this was my first accident in about 1.5 years of riding.

What now take it easy for 3 months as I have been advised by the doctors so that's till end of July, August start and I am getting my full in September. Was thinking of either a 400 or v twin 650 before getting a 600, after my full but see how things go. Loved ones were really worried and don't want me to get back on bikes but I am itching.

P.s The diagram isn't too accurate in terms of the right hand corner, I was leant over not going straight as indicated.

I almost died and are now in a wheelchair permantly. I don't want to diss your incident, but if you look there is allways someone worst off than ya. That includes me, being in Burwood Spinal Unit has been a humbling experience... :mellow:

[more_fasterer]

Glad you didn't come off as bad as you could've.

Interesting how the shore police station is right by that intersection and it took them so long to get there...

[Zapf]

thanks for sharing your story. And also reminding us about what could happen anytime anywhere.... even just going to work.

[dogsnbikes]

Glad your here too tell your story and must agree with you Dave and Donna at kiwibike are top people pity about the ol'e bike but your soon have yourself another

[Puddlejumper]

Glad you are going to be fine. I think it always takes an accident to make us bikers realise we aren't invincible. ( If we weren't risk takers we would all drive cages) Hope you get back on a bike real soon and you ride it with one eye out for the idiots who share our roads. This is not a critisism of your riding. It's just that the more you ride and survive, the more you realise that others won't take your safety seriously so you have to do it yourself. Best of luck.
Ride long, Live free, Live long.

[mynameis]

Mully - You are definitely right about good gear, I had my jacket on and not a slight graze above my hip, besides a few broken bones on left hand which I believe happened as a result of me still trying to hold on to the bike as I flew. Pity I wasn't wearing my pants or boots otherwise I would not have had so many bad bruises on my side, leg and ankle. When I go to work I normally don't like wearing full gear - lesson learned though. I was told to invest in good gear by many when I bought my first bike so I did but more importantly you have to wear them!

Devil - Yeah he was way late all cars were waiting on the other lanes he just sprung through and I happened to be there right that very second. Unfortunate.

Bisbossman - sorry to hear about your bad experience although it was 20 years ago and glad you're back on bikes. Your words are wise and make me realise that it's not all cagers who are cunts but a handful and we as bikers should not let them put us off :) Bling dispatched. My plate is about 7cm long with 6 screws.

Indy - thanks mate, what you need to do is request a copy of the victim impact report police filled out and see if they had put down the damages in there or not, if not than take him to small claims - dispute tribunal and he will get ordered to pay off weekly ect. As in my case the officer who is prosecuting him (the red light crossing cager) has already consulted me and I have outlined the loss incurred (financial damage) in my case which was only a written off helmet - $600 the rest of the medical bills are covered by ACC. I am not too concerned about it if I get rewarded the full sum or half or nothing. He would also be asked to pay the victim (myself) some compensation and I have been paid out in full by my insurance. He's in shit as he did not have any insurance, so he has to pay of the sum of my bike, his car repairs, fines, court charges ect ect he's looking at well in access of $10,000.

Spman - Yeap as I explained it just happened within a few seconds and I had no chance of reacting at all before my mind could say 0oh fuck and send the message back to my limbs to react I had already hit him and was in the air, bound towards the lovely tarmac.

Hazard02 - Couldn't agree less mate, just been travelling in a cage now noticing things, there way too many hasty drivers in Auckland for my liking, went to Uni last night and just within a space of about 45 minutes of travelling saw two red light runners and a few close calls, what can I say. Feel like quitting my day job and becoming a cop, I'd probably become the most hated cop, swear I wouldn't leave anyone. But what a waste of my degree would that be eh. Did enquire pay isn't too appealing.

90s - A little patience goes a long way, that has been my policy but it has been reiterated in a very hard way now.

McJim - Sorry my initial post was too long and boring for you to read :) To answer you yes police are taking the fuckwit to court and pressing charges against him and yes it wasn't my fault and as for the bike I wish I could borrow your magic sandpaper and buff it out :) When the assessor went out to assess the bike he was horrified and called me up and said, "That's an absolute blady write off, it's history now." Was a hard pill to swallow, but again I also didn’t want an accident repaired bike back mainly because the resale value drops.

EJT - Yes he was a complete asshole, ruthless prick in my opinion when I was lying on the road couldn't move anything, other cagers came out to help me see how I was, he stopped but never bothered to come around and see how I was but was just shouting all over the place that, "I didn't cross red-light, it wasn't my fault."

Vamr - That has also been my biggest fear and unfortunately it came true, it would have been a different story if I would have high sided or low sided, tough luck though shit happens keep safe.

Bell - I've seen that ad and I think it's quite effective but sadly there probably aren't enough bikers out there for the government to justify the expense of running an ad campaign of that nature, perhaps privately or partial sponsorship.

Jtzzr - First few weeks when I wasn't in my senses I was really sad and guttered about losing that bike it was a minta but just the thought that, there are still probably thousands of better ZXR's in Japan and I could get one imported if I wanted to has given me a bit of comfort :)

Toycollector10 - Fully agree with you perhaps if I did do that it would have been a different outcome today but realistically speaking how many of us have that mindset, at a set of traffic lights? I think majority don't but again lesson learned and things will change from now for the better.

[mynameis]

Renegade master - You're making me think twice, been contemplating that whilst at home resting up. Wouldn't it be a nice world if we all could do that? Hmm.

YamahaR64life – oooww That's an interesting username lol welcome to KB and I was very close to experiencing what it would have felt like being run over by 4 wheels, glad it didn't happen.

Karma - Mate you're just talking about bad karma while injured, took a little bit of hit on the pelvis Mr Willy Wonker wasn't too happy for a while but in full action mode now I know you wanted me to share this in public :)

Xerxesdaphat - Yeah I am a bit of a fan of the good old Chinese medicine now but not into eating those things hehe lol. But they are smart people I tell ya, had a massive blood clot on my ass of about 200 ml which the GP thought would take roughly 4 weeks to heal properly, went there after 3 sessions of acupuncture, some laser and heat treatment and it was gone within a week or so.

skidMark - You've done KB proud today that has probably been your most mature post ever, sulking in the bin has taught you a thing or two aye young fella. Lol, just pulling cheers! Catch up mate.

Inlinefour - I haven't met you personally or know too much about your accident but I know there are many threads on KB about it. I definitely agree with you and as, in my initial post I did say I am grateful it wasn't worse. The fact that there are other people who have had accidents and are much worse off, adds a positive spin in this dreadful recovery. The same applies to you mate, glad at least you can read write speak and aren't a dead vegetable alive on a wheelchair. I saw 20/20 the other day, a story about a very fit healthy guy who got injured in a rugby match and damaged his nervous and motor neuron system. He's alive on a wheelchair and that's about it. He can hear but can't speak or move any limbs at all. Imagine that. A glitter of hope mate who knows with technology changing so vastly, one day you'll defy the odds of medical science and walk again. All the best sincerely mate :)

More fasterer - Sorry mate my initial post does not exactly give too much information around that particular time/scene, post was getting long. But just for you :) When I landed and rolled a few times I was still conscious lying on the road (motorway) few cagers came around me, helped me take my helmet off and gloves and in the background I could hear that asshole shouting to other cagers, "It wasn't my fault, I didn't cross red light". And then I blacked out completely and I can't remember anything but when I woke up I was in a officers hand and there were about 3 cop cars, 5 or 6 policemen/women and ambulance was arriving, so I got told by the cop. He asked me a few things, "What's your name, age, what month day it was?..ect." I stared at his face and whilst answering him kept thinking I know this bugger from somewhere, was itching so I asked, "Mate I know you aye?" Answer I got, "Yes I gave you a ticket about a year ago on xxxx road." Wasn't the best situation I tell ya. But honestly I wouldn't know how long it took them could have been anything from 2-10 minutes is my guess.

Zapf - You hit the nail on the head, not matter how experienced you are how mature and careful you are, idiots will still be out there catching you out in tough situations like this. You just have to accept it and move on.

All the others with well wishes, thanks guys I appreciate your comments and support :)

[Street Gerbil]

The bike can be replaced. Body parts can not. Bling for sheer luck.

[Cache Wraith]

Good news your okay!

[Horney1]

Get well soon dude.

Keep all those receipts in an orderly manner (and even think about keeping a journal documenting everything as it progresses - later when /if litigation comes around it might be handy). Include stuff like transport costs, help around the home, prescriptions, physio, psychologist (pretty traumatic to loss the wheels) :) , legal costs etc.

Get every little injury checked out and documented - get copies of stuff. It may not be a problem now but who knows in 18 months - if there's no record of it in relation to the accident it may not be covered (& I think you'll find it has to be "treated" to be covered.) Insurance companies will worm out of anything given half the chance.

Check out making a claim against your own insurance. They should cover it and then they should seek recovery from the arsehole.

Give those injuries time to heal properly. Upsetting them can add time onto the healing process &/or cause long-term problems.

Keep the chin up, you've lived to battle another day (& learned a valuable lesson)....

Cheers

[more_fasterer]

When I landed and rolled a few times I was still conscious lying on the road (motorway) few cagers came around me, helped me take my helmet off and gloves and in the background I could hear that asshole shouting to other cagers, "It wasn't my fault, I didn't cross red light". And then I blacked out completely and I can't remember anything but when I woke up I was in a officers hand and there were about 3 cop cars, 5 or 6 policemen/women and ambulance was arriving, so I got told by the cop. He asked me a few things, "What's your name, age, what month day it was?..ect." I stared at his face and whilst answering him kept thinking I know this bugger from somewhere, was itching so I asked, "Mate I know you aye?" Answer I got, "Yes I gave you a ticket about a year ago on xxxx road." Wasn't the best situation I tell ya. But honestly I wouldn't know how long it took them could have been anything from 2-10 minutes is my guess.

Sweet cheers for clarifying that. I humbly withdraw my previous comment about the response time of the north shore police force.

You're handling this remarkably well considering what happened to you! Would beer help your recovery? :D

[DuLuX]

gutted - hope you get well soon.
I am about to do my test to get my learners tomorrow and i read a lot of bikers having accidents! probably good to keep me on my toes and cautious!

[avgas]

Bummer.....been there done that.
Auckland is a dodgey place for bikes.

[GSX-RJIM]

Mate I've had same thing happen to me, I woke up in the back of an Ambo' very scared. 1st thing I did when I could walk again was to buy on new bike thanks to my insuracne pay out. The old lady got her license taken off her for ever, plus had to pay me $900.

When I think of the crashes I have had I can even now (8 years later) smell the smells (petrol, rubber, hot engines dieing, shit, the grass, gravel,vomit,tequila,open flesh and the smell of the Man of Light with the really nice smile telling me "it is not your time yet my son") The memories never go away.

[mynameis]

Horney1 - Cheers you obviously are from the sensible lot as I have come across a lot of people who don't keep documents, not only in accidents but in general as well. I have though, for my accident and do like to keep all my records up to date. You wouldn't imagine the number of paper work you will pile up but there are lots and it does come in handy. I have raised a file from the day of the accident and have all documentation filed in order to date. Medical records and receipts, insurance documents, police records, ACC communication ect..ect..list goes on.

As for insurance mate I have already been paid out in full, was a hassle free experience and I am really impressed with their service, once again thanks a lot to Dave at Kiwibike (http://www.kiwibike.co.nz). They are really awesome. As for injuries I have two months off work and on ACC just going by the medical professional's recommendations and will definitely give it time mate. Thanks again.

More_fasterer - Cheers mate haha I wish I could get on the piss, but the medication I am on clearly says limit alcohol in bold so I'd rather play it down for now. Got Uni exams coming up so might as well study, but I have been spending some time on here though. :rolleyes:

Dulux - Welcome to KB and riding, keep safe mate.

GSXR Jim - You are right those memories never go away, I sometimes randomly just start thinking about how everything happened but I am not completely shaken or anything like that. Cheers.

[inlinefour]

One fine Tuesday morning on the 24th of April I was heading to work as usual on my bike. I was at a set of traffic lights on constellation drive (for those who know the road - Auckland) turning right to get onto the motorway.

There is another set of traffic lights prior to the one where you turn onto the motorway; both had turned green so I had built up some speed before turning right. Went past one and then turned right on the second one when some guy from the opposite side crossed red light.

I was leant over and in the blink of an eye I saw him, next thing was, I had hit him hard everything went black and then I flew into the air about 5-8 meters, could see everything again and then a few bangs on the road (my helmet) and a couple of rolls.

It hurt as fuck my hips, knees, legs, ankle and left hand. All this happened in just a few seconds, I didn't even get time to say "0oh fuck" when I saw the car let alone react, tilt the bike up, brake, steer away.

Ambo came, took me to hospital and spent the whole day at the emergency x-rays, scans and blood tests. Few broken bones in my left hand, thank god I am right handed and a few bad bruises, was put on cast, cleared and discharged after spending the whole day there.

Bone wasn't healing properly after two weeks so went through surgery about a week an a half ago and got it plated (as recommended by doctors), just resting at home and recovering. Bike is badly damaged with structural damage as well, so it's been written off and history now, sorry to those who loved my little ZXR 250 and thought it was a minta. No more.

Must say a big big thanks to Dave at Kiwibike (going through Star), what an awesome bloke mate he's genuine and sincere and does truly work for his customers best interest. Top bloke! I got paid out in full within weeks which I am really glad about. Sometimes it can be a nightmare dealing insurance companies.

The fucked up thing is the other guy continued pleading not guilty but luckily there were two witnesses saying he did cross red light and police later came to the site and they are charging him with dangerous driving causing injury. He did not have insurance and now he's in shit. He's looking at something well in excess of $10,000 total bill just to cross a red light and save a few seconds of his life! What a prick!

It could have been much worse so I am grateful I am alive because if I was either a second faster or he was a second slower he would have hit me head on and I was leant to the right so would have fallen straight on the road and he would have definitely run me over all four wheels as it took him ages to stop, he was doing roughly about 60-70 odd k's and I was probably 30-40 k's. Imagine being run over by a car both wheels twice. I probably would have died on the spot but again I am lucky and happy to get away.

Thanks for reading so far, so the moral of the story is even though you are at traffic lights and it's you're right off way and you don't generally look left, right or ahead please do so. Change your mind set although it's hard because there are too many idiots out there and this was my first accident in about 1.5 years of riding.

What now take it easy for 3 months as I have been advised by the doctors so that's till end of July, August start and I am getting my full in September. Was thinking of either a 400 or v twin 650 before getting a 600, after my full but see how things go. Loved ones were really worried and don't want me to get back on bikes but I am itching.

P.s The diagram isn't too accurate in terms of the right hand corner, I was leant over not going straight as indicated.

Kinda got some idea on how ya felt eh...

[Scorpygirl]

Crikey mate. I have only just caught up with this thread!!! Sorry to hear about your accident and I am so glad you are sort of OK!! As you said it could have been so much worse.

Take care and get well soon.

Hugz.

[Max Preload]

Another thing I noticed: My driving in a car has improved significantly ever since I started riding a motorcycle. I drive slower, pay closer attention to traffic and other drivers,look more closely at intersections, give proper spacing, look farther ahead etc........I think the world doesnt need more traffic cops or more speed cameras (thankfully we dont have gatsos in my neck of the woods!!!).....what the world needs is more people on motorcycles!!!!! I am willing to bet $5,000 to anyone that there would be a direct correlation between the number of people riding a motorcycle and the decline in traffic accidents!!!!!

While I'm sure my riding a bike has made me a more considerate, cautious and careful cage pilot, it doesn't seem to have worked for our slanty-eyed import friends... :msn-wink:

[skidMark]

the remains of the bike is sitting in a garage in napier, new owners gunna fix it up.

it's the guy i bought my zxr's motor off...

[mynameis]

the remains of the bike is sitting in a garage in napier, new owners gunna fix it up.

it's the guy i bought my zxr's motor off...

Ok interesting, I didn't know that aye. I knew someone from Napier had bought it off TradeMe auction.

It had done only 35,000k's and the engine was running excellent so was the bike!