Modern Vespa

Welp ...

It frickin' happened.

I was riding the scooter into work this morning. Taking a right turn fully in the clear - light was green, two lanes in both directions were completely empty - it was all mine.

Drifted left a bit to prepare to start on the outside, dip in and then come back up at the end on the outside ... just like I've done dozens of times the last 16 months ...

I got to the left side of my lane and saw there was a little more debris than I'd like - my speed was a little higher than usual - and i said that little prayer ... "Oh I hope that holds ... "

It didn't.

I leaned the bike like always ...then i heard it ... my exhaust scraping. On my bike, you should never hear scraping on a right turn. If you do ... you've leaned too far. I leaned to far.

Centripetal force was taking over. My MSF training kicked in and rather than foolishly try to right the bike, it was time to prepare for some pain.

I was only going about 25ish ... maybe 30 ...

About 1/3 of the way into the main event, I realized i needed to curl up into a ball so I would roll rather than slide ... by the time I realized which limbs needed to be pulled in, I had already slid to nearly a full stop.

I felt my helmet hit at some point, though very lightly. It wasn't much harder than I've bumped it on the jamb walking out the door of my house.

When it all stopped, I couldn't breathe. I got on all fours and tried to catch my breath. The wind was knocked out of me pretty well.

I looked over to see my bike about 4 feet away. It was still running and laying on it's right side. "Good. I didn't high-side."

As I was catching my breath, I managed to crawl to the bike and hit the kill switch. A man on a white scooter stopped to see if I was okay - he shut the key off. A woman was close behind asking if i was alright.

I managed to get sat on my butt - still trying to catch my breath.

My visor was fogged up, my glasses too. I popped the lid, pulled my glasses off and indicated what hurt and where. My knee was sore but really my biggest pain was in my right ribcage. I thought for sure I'd busted a rib. It hurt pretty good.

This woman must have been a nurse, she demanded I lay down on my back while the ambulance comes. I obeyed, knowing that's the right thing to do. I pulled my gloves off and got my helmet off finally. I managed to get my glasses back on - they were nearly kicked away by the helpers.

Ouch.

I need to call Jane. Where's my phone. Crap ... it's not in my pocket. I look around to find my phone - it must have flown out of my jacket pocket. All I could see, though, was scooter debris. Parts of my bike laying all about the road.

Ouch. Where's my phone??? Jane is going to be so worried....

The woman who called 911 offered to call Jane but I don't remember her work number. I was able to remember MY work number and she left a message with someone there. I'd like to get her name - she was VERY helpful. Thank you, whoever you were.

Ouch. Need to call Jane ... where's my phone?

Cop pulls up and asks where it hurts and stuff. I am fully lucid the whole time. I describe the series of events and where it hurts. The ambulance is there within 5 minutes, i'm sure. It wasn't very long at all.

Ouch. Jane ... she needs to know

They do their stuff - neck brace, questions, pressing, etc etc. It's decided I don't need an IV and right then, someone hands me my phone. Oh good.

"Hey, it's me ... i went down on the scooter..."

She thought it was the wrong number. "It's Jason ... I wrecked the scooter, but I'm mostly fine. I was alone, I just turned too fast. They're taking me to the ER. I might have broken a rib or something... I'm sorry to ruin your xmas eve - i know you're busy with stuff..." She stops me and says that don't matter. She's right. I agreed to call her when I get wherever i'm going so she can come get me.

By this time, they've cut all my clothes off me an have me in the ambulance. Not long and we're at the hospital. My ribs hurt pretty good, but overall I'm mostly okay.

The scooter was going to be towed, according to the cop. I don't know where it's at, yet.

We get to the hospital, they do the poking and prodding and pressing and pushing. Doesn't seem like a busted rib since I can breathe, cough and laugh with out a ton of discomfort. The pain scale is about a 5 or 6 after we get there. I think laying flat was worst - stretched all out.

X-rays show no broken bones. The doctor believes that it's more of a strain or muscle pull. There are 3 layers of muscles between each rib and I likely gave some of them a good tweaking.

Ouch.

I'm on the other half of that statistic, now, I guess. Dang it.

Helmet, Gloves, Jacket, Pants ... if i hadn't had on that mesh jacket, my right arm would be destroyed - for sure. It took the brunt of the sliding. ARMORED JACKETS WORK. MAN do they work.

Biggest injury is my pride. I got a little cocky, I think. The debris didn't help, but I knew better - i had all that time before the turn to slow down .. it wasn't like I came up on it suddenly - i had a whole lot of time. Stupid. Bike's a mess, i'm sure ... i'll deal with that at some point .. right now, I'm in bed - resting. Lamenting, but resting.

Merry Christmas ... It could have been a lot worse. Glad it wasn't.

Hug the people you love. Do it right now. Do it every chance you can. It's never a bad time. Love your loved ones all you can.

Merry Christmas.

Really, really, really, glad you're OK. What an experience. [hug]

Glad the Scoot-Gods were looking after you and hopefully your scoot is repair-able. Thanks for sharing and have a Great Holiday! You've earned it!

Ouch is right! Jason, I'm really sorry to hear about your spill. But, I'm also glad you're mostly OK. Take care of yourself and try to enjoy the rest of your long weekend. I hope most of the damage to your scooter is "cosmetic" and that can be fixed soon so you can get back to riding.

Jason:

This story could have had such a worse ending. Glad it didn't my friend. And thank you for sharing with the rest of us. You put the right spin on what is important and what we all should be thankful for here at Christmas.

Wow, I'm really glad you're going to be OK. Rest up and feel better soon. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Glad you are ok.

One thing I will remember from this, is to tell the Ambulance / Paramedics "cut my Gear off and you are buying me new ones"

Wayne B

The other thing to remember to tell the Ambulance / Paramedics is thank you for being out here even on a holiday for when someone needs you.

Thankfully they only cut my FroggTogg pants and jeans - and the two t-shirts i had on. They worked real hard to wriggle me out of my jackets (frogg togg, armored mesh and a hoodie).

I think they saw the armored jacket and decided it wouldn't do so well with their scissors

Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. The Dr prescribed some vicodin in case I have trouble sleeping but so far advil's done plenty. I can find a few positions where things aren't painful and so long as I sit still, i think i will be able to forgo the pain meds. We'll see how sleeping goes.

I haven't tried to track down my scooter, yet ... frankly, it's not a concern of mine right now. I really don't wanna see how bad it is, yet. That tow charge is gonna be a bugger, I'm sure ... better'n the coroner having to haul me away, though.

Glad you are ok and no worse for the wear. Things can always be far worse. Hope you find time for a Merry Christmas on top of it all!

Sorry to hear that

Did that once on a Honda C70,
Lucky for me I was able to ride on the side of the bike to a stop,
Yes, I was unscathed, Walked away without a scratch, Amazing.

Bike just had side scratches and a bent mirror.

--------------------

Sorry about your spill

Hope you heal quickly, All the best,

Dave

Ouch.

Good post, well done writing it, and I'm so glad you were able to.

Yes indeed, very glad that it wasn't worse! Thanks for the excellent write-up and note on hugs. I'm afraid that it's rest and relaxing beverages for you tomorrow and the weekend! Heal quickly!

Glad to hear your ok. There's an old expression: There are 2 kinds of riders-those who have gone down, and those who are going to go down.

Welcome to the club!

I'm glad you're OK, Jason. Thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like you were done in by complacency (If it hasn't happened by now, it's not going to happen).

Glad you are OK Jason and that there were lots of helpful people around to make sure you were looked at.

Hopefully after a few days rest you'll be good as new. From personal experience I've found it's best not to rest too much or it's harder to get those sore muscles stretched out and working again.

Glad that you are able to post about the story on the same day.

-Craig

Ouch Jason! So sorry to hear about your fall, but glad that you could share it with us and keep it in perspective.

I've fallen over going ZERO miles an hour (forgot to put the sidestand down) And I know that hurt, so I can only imagine what 25-30 mph must feel like. Thank goodness for protective gear!

Hope you are feeling better soon! (and I hope your scooter is too!)
Merry Christmas!
~Robyn

Ha ha that happen to me 3 time on my Harley hard to look cool falling over

Jason, you're a lucky man, could'a been so much worse. But you're lucky to have a partner you need and want to call before you barely finished scraping up the pavement. Jane's lucky, too. Do have a good holiday, you have a lot to be grateful for.

Wow Jason, so sorry to read about your accident on Christmas eve. Thank goodness it wasn't worse all around. Unfortunately I can totally relate to what you went through as can many of us here. I hope your injuries recover quickly so you can have a nice Christmas.

Take two vicodin and chase with 4oz of single malt and you'll have a pain free Christmas, but seriously I'm glad you are OK and wish you a happy holiday regardless of the painful adventure!

Sorry to hear about your accident and glad you're recovering. I'm just glad you're in decent shape. Looks like you be sore for awhile...but it will pass.

It could have been worst...

My son hit a van that opted to stop in his path when van driiver realized it couldn't beat the oncoming traffic...over the hood...hit side of his head (was wearing a helmet)...blacked out...recent paramedic graduate was onsite from a class being held nearby...ambulance arrives taken to hospital...no cervial or cranial injury; left knee messed up and had to have ACL and two ligaments reattached...bike totaled...rehab. 3 x's a week (attractive therpist!)......worked daily on his own to regain full range of motion (was very determined not to loose full function of his leg)...helped with his bathing until he could do it on his own...full leg brace, walker and then crutches...recovered in 90 days and back to work (according to MD...it was a remarkable recovery)...got back on his bike and is riding again....attorney handled case and we got it settled last week.

Just take things a step at a time and everything will work out.

On the lighter side...my brother (his uncle) hooks up with him and asks, "So when you were flying over the hood of the van...were you thinking "Oh! S__t! or Oh! F__k!". Son replys, "Oh! "F__k!" Uncle, "Wow must have been pretty bad!" It's interesting how you can make light of something so tragic afterwards. My apologies if I offended anyone with the above...but that was their conversation!

Good Luck my friend and to keep things in perspective you're alive to celebrate another Christmas...

Glad things turned out relatively OK. Have a Happy Holiday.

Damn man,

Shitty Christmas Eve. Glad you are OK.

Accidents happen to everyone at some point. At least you are around to tell the story.


Get well Soon.

Good on you for doing everything right. Get well soon!

Don't forget to buy a new helmet as part of your eventual re-fit. Hairline cracks and all that.

I'm glad you are OK!

and I think you just gave yourself the best Christmas gift of all...you're here, you'll be OK and you have the opportunity to tell those you love, just how much you do love them.

Betsey

Glad you're still with us. Man, you are so right about loving in the present tense! Here's a Christmas hug from KY. Merry Christmas!

Thanks for sharing . Glad you are OK, and admire your priorities.

Also thanks for sharing how the gear helped. I believe every time someone does this with a real life incident someone else is convinced to start wearing it.

Don't worry about the gear. Most insurances companies will pay to replace it because they don't want the extra medical bills if you are not wearing it. Mine, AMIG, will replace safety gear with no deductible. If your helmet took a bump replace it. They are only good for one hit and with all that was going on you may have hit it harder than you think.

Besides being glad that your ok, thank you for sharing your experience.

Sorry to hear about your tumble Jason but very glad you made it through without any serious damage. Get your scooter fixed and get back out there once you've healed.

Trust me, this one incident will make you a better and wiser rider.

Get better soon!

Wow Jason- so glad to hear that you are okay. Quite an amazing account of the events too- must folks don't remember anything. Take it easy and be patient with the healing- and have a happy and safe 2010.

Thanks for posting your account, as it helps all of us understands the dynamics of a spill. I'm so glad you are okay an I hope your rib cage is feeling better now!

Glad you are OK, Jason.

Isn't it great how everyone here rallies around with kind remarks?

sorry to hear about your spill glad you're alive and well to tell the tale.... i hope that you've been taking lavish helpings of christmas cheer to make up for it

Bad spill, good post. Thanks for taking the time to share you thoughts on one of these unfortunate events.
Hope the rest of your Christmas went well Jason.

Kia kaha.

Jason, your Christmas gift to all of us was taking the time to do such a well-done write up of your spill.

So glad you're relatively intact, and thanks for your post.

Heal fast, ride safe!

Happy new year,

~Deborah

hello beamerweb,

thanks for the accident report, and i too am happy the injury and damage was limited.

my first crash was similar.

my second also, just a silly car involved to complicate things.

but this was thirty or so years ago.

there is more i think to the saying, live and learn.

and i think one becomes quite careful after the bones have crushed.

you will be ok for the future, don't worry.

robert

We have volunteers Fire & Rescue, so send then a nice check every year to help provide them nice new equipment. So, that is my thank you But I would still say thanks.
I also make a donation anytime they have an All You Can Eat Breakfast

When I was 15 I had a collision with another bike on the dirt. It was his fault, we met on the trail, head on and I turned to my right to get out of the way and the ass turned to his left and hit the side of the bike I was riding and broke me left leg. Still remember my mom in the ER asking why they had to cut my "NEW" jeans off

Wayne B

Heal fast! Informative post....

Hang in...

Gianni

Hey Jason, I just saw this post. Sure glad your okay. Let me know if you need any help with getting your scooter home. I can't believe they cut those wonderful looking pants off though.

Best,
Steve

P.S. Just sent you some good Karma for a half circle. Woo Hoo!