Crash report from yesterday

[Chi Makwa]

Hi all. I was in a crash yesterday, and I thought I'd post some information & pics in case there's anything to learn from it. I thought posting this as a sort of crash report would be a good idea. Maybe even consider it a real forensic mystery to solve? Because there are some large holes in my memory of what happened.

I'm ok, but kinda banged up. I had a mild concussion (see my helmet below), some minor abrasions (see below) & contusions, and a whole lotta muscular bruising and straining. No broken bones.

What Happened:
I was going westbound at 20-25 mph, accelerating away from a traffic light. An oncoming white car turned left in front of me -- pretty normal kind of car vs. cycle crash. (Please, let's not start an angry conversation about how stupid other drivers are, ok? Please? I can forgive the guy, and I don't think he'll ever do it again. He was way too scared, and his wife was really kind to me. I thing he really heard it from her when they got home...) The driver of that car was cited for inattentive driving.

I hit my brakes as hard as i could, but there was no time to stop. The last things I remember are thinking "oh God, there is no way I'm going to stop in time -- I'm gonna hit that car," and then I remember the front wheel skidding out from under me (just a little bit of gravel on the road surface), but I can't remember which direction(s) it was swerving. I remember some kind of hard impact and tumbling. I heard my helmet scraping on the road, but I don't remember the helmet actually hitting. When I came to rest I remember growling in pain and having the wind knocked out of me.

When the police arrived I told them I didn't hit the other car. They asked a couple times. But then later at the hospital I remembered I was heading right toward the right front fender, with impact imminent. I still can't remember what I hit or how I was tumbling. I'm told it's called post-traumatic amnesia, or PTA.

I was hauled away in an ambulance and spent the next 3-4 hours on a backboard. (Real comfortable if you've never had the pleasure...NOT!) The police picked up and moved my scoot into the parking lot the guy was trying to turn into. There it sits, and I have no pics and no idea of the extent of the damage.

Injuries:
Abrasion and underlying joint pain on right knee, right elbow, right ankle (very mild), and right hip, and mild concussion from right side impact (all associated with clothing or protective equipment damage). Pain with associated hematoma over right biceps and pain in left shoulder, neither of which is associated with clothing or PPE damage.

Clothing and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Damage:
Deep abrasions with vertical alignment on helmet. Grommet tore completely through strap on right shoe. Hole (3/4" diameter) on top-center of right sock, situated over the ankle. Extensive abrasions to right leg of jeans with two holes (1" and 1.5" diameter) abraded through near right knee. Extensive abrasions covering right side of jacket with two holes (1" diameter each) abraded through, one below the right elbow and one above the right shoulder near the neck. (No injury associated with the hole above the shoulder.) Abrasions and tears on the ulnar side ("pinky" side) of the cuff of the right glove.

The Mystery:
It's a real mystery to me just what I hit and how I fell with all the physical damage on my right side, but somehow I have a really sore left shoulder.

Here are the pics of everything but the scoot:






BTW, I'm SO grateful for the safety gear! My skull was not fractured, and I haven't got any real road rash to speak of. I wasn't wearing boots though because I don't have any. I'll be getting some for sure now! I just have no clue what happened to my right foot that tore the strap on my shoe & tore a hole in my sock while hardly injuring my foot at all. So many mysteries...

[shalomdawg]

howdy, that is a tuff and rude interruption to what was a normal day? yup the PPE does pay off. i'm riding again after many years away from it and haven't collected everything advisable yet. your experience will encourage me to get with the plan to buy a pair of boots for riding and a full coverage helmet instead of the 3/4 on that just fell off the chair and broke the shield off it. what would it have done in a wreck?

all the best and
lotsa miles and smiles to ya

[Chi Makwa]

Thanks shalomdawg--

Looking at where the impact was on my helmet, I can't help but wonder what would have happened had I been wearing my half-helmet. I don't know whether my head was sliding up or down, but if it was sliding down a half-helmet might have rotated a little and let my ear and scalp have it.

I also just noticed another perplexing clue to what happened. I just noticed that the instep side of my right shoe has some real damage. The strap didn't tear apart, it was sheared apart as the inside of my foot was scraping against the pavement or something. (I seriously don't remember that and can't understand how that would work.) The upper grommet is scraped flat, and the lower grommet is scraped to a lesser extent. There are matching abrasions on the lower strap. There is also a hole in the tongue of the shoe (just above the Starter label) that goes through the padding but doesn't come through on the other side. That might have come from the same thing that put the hole in my sock and the very minor abrasion on my foot. But what caused it? (I'm getting boots!!!)

Here's a close-up of that picture of my right shoe from my first post:

[garyr]

Thank you for wearing your helmet and long pants and other than flip-flops. As sore as you must surely be, I hope you heal fast and have no lasting problems from your crash.
Thank God you didn't slide under or were trapped by the car. A fellow was killed in East Grand Forks (neighbor town) last year as he went under and was dragged for a short distance by the car that hit him.
Take it easy, mend well, and I hope your scooter is not too worse for the wear.
Garyr

[Chi Makwa]

Thanks Garyr.

I think posting this stuff with all the details has been mostly a mental/emotional way of dealing with it. Trying to resolve my memory lapses and "mysteries" make for a mental exercise, and I think that helps me deal with the emotional side of what happened. I really love my scoot, and I don't know if it will survive this. (Still haven't seen it since the crash.) I've got no broken bones, but my memory lapses scare me. (It's a rather big detail to not remember whether I hit the other car or not.) On Friday evening my gut started hurting, and then I suddenly remembered that my gut hit something really hard during the crash.) And I don't know if any of my joint pains (particularly left TMJ/jaw) will become chronic. I guess playing CSI feels better than being scared, but maybe I need to let that happen.

I guess crashes are supposed to suck, even if it's the other guy's fault. (I can honestly say I still don't hate him or feel any animosity toward him.)

[owenbrau]

Don't be afraid of the memory lapses. Things usually happen too fast for our brains to coherently record them, so we lose stuff, or remember contradictory information. Make sure your statements about not hitting the car aren't the only thing they report; I really hate that they interview traumatized accident victims and base reports on that (happened to me). I don't remember the impact I made with the car, even though I clearly remember thinking I was about to hit it. In part, it's how we deal with trauma.

It is wonderful you weren't hurt worse. Hopefully you won't have too many folks saying you shouldn't ride again. That's your decision. If you choose not to, I'm not going to say you're wrong, it's too personal a decision. If you do keep riding, get boots ;-)

[CCProf]

God that's scary. But let's be thankful for safety gear. I agree with owenbrau - ditch the sneaks and wear boots. I have a pair like yours and they don't give enough support to even cut grass in.
Hope you heal up quickly!

[Chi Makwa]

Thanks y'all. I'll ride again, but not on this scoot.

It's gone. My scoot has been taken (presumed stolen) from the school parking lot where it was left (by the police) after the crash. I went with a friend to pick it up today, but only the battery compartment cover (which fell off in the crash) was there. I reported it to the police, and they have no record of impounding it.

I'd gotten permission from the school to let it sit there through the weekend, and since it's Monday today, they might have had it privately towed, but they had my number and didn't tell me about it first. I need to call them tomorrow to make sure, but it looks like it's been stolen, with a bunch of nice tools and a battery charger in the seat bucket.

I wonder if the insurance will pay for it now? If things are right in this world, they will, but I don't know. The theft was an indirect result of the accident, not a direct result. I'm worried all over again. Does anyone know what might happen in this case?

[owenbrau]

Let us know. Sucks if some lowlife stole it. Any idea how bad it was damaged?

Check in with police again, too. It may have been them but someone was slow with paperwork.

[junkymagi]

Got an update on the missing scoot?

[Chi Makwa]

Apr 18, 2010 16:21:12 GMT -5 junkymagi said:

Got an update on the missing scoot?

As of today, still waiting for the danged police report on the accident, and I doubt I'll ever hear anything from the cops about the theft. Even if it is recovered, the other guy's insurance company could claim there's no way to tell which damage was caused by the crash and which was done by the thieves.

I'll post news as I get it. Police accident report could come in later today.

[dabucs]

usually in an accident report the police put an estimate of damages (Could be used as a guildline I am sure)..as long as the guy admits and was cited for the accident...chances are you will get book value on the bike from his insurance company...

[Chi Makwa]

The police report is finally available! My insurance guy says it's "heavily in [my] favor." I was finally able to contact the other guy's insurance company, but the claim rep for my case left early today. I've waited this long -- I suppose another day won't be too bad.

Just glad it's finally moving ahead.

[teknoyd]

Damn, Chi, what a story! I can't believe I just now stumbled across this!

I sincerely hope you heal up with no lasting damage. Don't sign any papers absolving the insurance company of any liability until you're absolutely sure you're OK. I made that mistake when I was young.

I'm interested to see how this works out with regard to the insurance. It is kind of a quirky circumstance.

Take care and keep us posted,

- Tek

[Chi Makwa]

Thanks Tek.

My abrasions are healing nicely and the bruising is starting to fade away, but I'm seeing a sports medicine guy about my shoulder next Tuesday - probably cortisone injections & physical therapy or something. I also worry about my head sometimes. I've had mild headaches since the accident (which I've never had before), and I've been real depressed, but I suppose that's only natural. Best scootin weather since September, and I'm banged up and without a ride. No, I won't let them out of their liability until this stuff is resolved.

I made an appointment with a lawyer one week from today (NOT one of those ambulance-chasing bastards that's been filling my mailbox with solicitations since the accident either!) because this is a complicated one. They'll either pay for a new ride (properly assembled & inspected) or they'll pay me enough in pain and suffering to buy me a really nice new ride. As for now I'm just gonna consult with the lawyer, but if the insurance company starts jerking me around or backing off replacement liability I plan to have him take over.

I finally reached the insurance claim person from the other guy's company, American Family. All we did was talk about what happened and she recorded my statement. She says she needs to finish her investigation before even talking about what they might cover. I asked for an estimate of how long that might be, and she just repeated that she needs to finish her investigation. She didn't return my initial phone message, so I called her today. I'm already getting the impression that she's not going to call me ever; I'll have to keep calling her to find out when her investigation is done and what they'll offer.

Fun fun.

[Chi Makwa]

The latest:

Saw the bone doc today. I've got "partially torn ligaments" due to dislocation in my left shoulder. (Note: My shoulders both go in and out of the sockets at will, just like Houdini's. I barely notice it. A dislocated shoulder is normal for me. Only this time it was dislocated a bit too far.) Now I'm supposed to make an appointment with the torture chamber. I mean physical therapy. It's possible that the only thing I hate worse than physical therapy is not having my scoot!

The other driver's insurance rep told me yesterday that she still has been unable to contact the second witness in the police report, so her investigation will not be complete for a few more days.

My first lawyer appointment is tomorrow.

[teknoyd]

Well that sucks. Ligaments take forever to heal. My shoulders do that too - slip in an out with ease. It's a great party trick...

I hope your case isn't contingent on the witness that they haven't been able to find.

Again, glad you came out of it so well. The older I get, the more I fear asphalt kisses.

- Tek

[Chi Makwa]

Thanks Tek. Have you ever done PT for a shoulder ligament? I'm actually kinda intimidated by the prospect. I have this fear of PTs being like sadistic torturers, kinda like a lot of people fear the dentist. It's really almost an irrational phobia.

As for the witness, they did actually give their statement to the police, and it's recorded in their report. I think the only thing at stake is whether the insurance co can independently verify it. But maybe that means a lot.

The older I get, the more I fear these weird joints of mine...

[Chi Makwa]

I retained the lawyer today. Now this is his problem to sort out. (I didn't figure he'd take the case if he wasn't confident he could make money on it.)

The lawyer said I might not be able to get any compensation for the scooter because I have no evidence as to the extent of the damage, but the pain & suffering money should easily cover it. They're gonna try to get some sort of replacement money right away though.

[teknoyd]

I think the PT will probably try to push you as far as you can go because sedentary is bad for muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. They push a patient because they know that, left on their own, the patient would stop at the first siqn of pain!

You will probably be expected to do range of motion stretches and exercises to keep the muscles from atrophying and to prevent adhesions, where the muscles "stick" together from non use. They'll probably also want to treat the area with both hot and cold.

On the upside, maybe your nurse will be hot!

I have never actually been thru PT. Most of the times I have been hurt I didn't have insurance or money so I just trudged on and did home therapy.

This last time, I crashed a bicycle (yes, a friggin' bicycle) at a high speed and met with concrete abruptly. I ended up with a full separation of the left shoulder.

This was at 7pm in the evening. After attempting to self medicate with a tall sparkling glass of vodka and a variety of over the counter pain candy I had at the house, I went to the emergency room. This was at 11pm.

I was finally examined at 3:30am and mis-diagnosed as having a dislocation and sent home with a script for some sort of pain meds.

I lost faith and never went back. My collar bone tore loose from my scapula and it's still that way today. I looked it up on the internet and have come to understand that it can be repaired, but it will be fragile forever and will rip much easier the next time.

- Tek

[shalomdawg]

howdy chi and thanks for continuing with the reports. like you say maybe it's therapy for the attitude as you really wouldn't want to publically write what ya really feel----lol

don't worry about the memory, even if specific memories never come back that is really a blessing rather than a curse. now twenty some years after a crash i can't remember anythin from the time the cab roof started scraping on the road till after i had walked out the front window without shoes on and asked the first person i saw to shup the engine off for me. judging by the injuries , i really don't want to know the details of rattling around the cab like a pea in a pod. i still have aches and pains---sometimes even walking is hell but riding though painful is open air therapy--lol
lotsa miles and smiles to ya
ken

[teknoyd]

So how are things going with your PT and your case?

[nickiemcnichols]

Chi -
Mend quickly! There's still plenty of good riding weather. What kind of scooter are you getting?

[owenbrau]

Chi, don't talk to his insurance rep anymore. That's for your insurance company and your lawyer to handle. Remember, she isn't on your side, and will try to get you to admit to anything she thinks will hurt your case.

Maybe you can make a case that the scoot wouldn't have been stolen in the first place if he hadn't hit you.

[teknoyd]

Chi - how are you doing? What's up with your case?

- Tek

[valalvax]

Lol I was going to say "Sure it's still in that parking lot?" Then I saw it was a month ago, and saw your sig....

[Chi Makwa]

Just posting a 2+ month update because it's been 2+ months since the crash.

I'm all but mended. I have one more physical therapy appt left, and they've really helped. The shoulder works just fine now, only a bit wobbly when I reach way up. Still having the odd headache though. They're not that bad and they don't really interfere much with things, but I've never had headaches in my life. (Been lucky that way I guess - my mom & bro have migraines, & they suffer.) So it's not like they're all that bad; it just concerns me that I have them at all.

No news whatsoever from my lawyer. I called late yesterday afternoon, but no one got back to me today. Nothing is happening other than the riding season slipping on by without me. Grr...

At least I'm physically intact.

[teknoyd]

Hey man,

Glad to hear you're feeling better. Be sure you document those headaches somehow. Make sure you get some kind of compensation for that. That's not you being sue happy, that's you being legitimately compensated for something that isn't your fault that affects your quality of life directly.

Glad the PT has helped and wasn't the torture sessions you were expecting. Continue with that on your own, get in the habit of starting your day with full range of motion stretches, and end that day that way too. I've learned the older I get, the more important that is.

In the mean time, are you shopping for another bike?

Take care,

- Tek

[Chi Makwa]

Very quick update:
Still no word on a settlement for the crash, but I've got a new scoot now, a blue 2008 Yamaha Vino 125. I really like it, but I miss my Motobravo!

[lshigham]

Sept 20, 2010 17:57:41 GMT -5 Chi Makwa said:

Very quick update:
Still no word on a settlement for the crash, but I've got a new scoot now, a blue 2008 Yamaha Vino 125. I really like it, but I miss my Motobravo!

Glad to see you are up and running, you won't go far wrong with a Vino.