I could have easily died on the 24/04/07 - my crash
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.
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Originally Posted by rachprice
, hope you heal fast.
.. but your body will heal and I am sure you will be back and rearing to go.!!
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