On my ’08 Wing/Rodsmith on Saturday 13 April warm sunny day about 4 PM east bound on Interstate 66 in Fairfax, VA, about 66 MPH in left lane. Cars ahead came screeching to a stop. Besides braking, I also chose to dive into police lane (between cars and Jersey wall, which was not occupied).
Down to about 50 MPH, and one of the cages had the same idea – caught my right rear fender and flipped me up on my left side. (I had on full gear.) Don’t remember much, except the trike was driving me into the Jersey wall. When stopped, seems like a fuel leak, but to heck with the bike. My chest will killing me and I could not breath. Bystanders pulled me straight (was up on my right side, but left side is what was hurt. I thought legs were pinned, but weren't. I was able to coach a couple how to get helmet off, and they padded my head. Life squad seemed to get there quickly, but I wanted to have nothing to do with them, as they need to strap me to back board, and with 7 broken ribs, it was well. I kept batting at them with my arms telling them to stop, - - no such luck.
Inova Farfax was close. Was bleeding inside chest wall. They knocked me out and put in a large chest tube to try to keep the chest drained. Lot happened following week, but bleeding did not stop, so Saturday, had more surgery to put in two chest tubes. Also they used a roto-rooter tool with light, cutting blade, flushing solution, to try to wash out the blood clots. Finely 10 days after accident, liquid (now part blood and part clear) started slowing. This morning I had one tube taken out. The tubes hurt far exceed the pain of the broken ribs. Looks like second tube will stay in for a couple more days. Still in Shock-trauma though.
Safety gear – only place I got road rash was knees, as I had on heavy chaps. I had a full armor winter Joe Rocket coat, which I have not seen, though I’m told the EMTs did get it cut up into about 10 pieces. Joe Rocket boots came through un-scathed. New Noland N104 helmet did it’s job, as I’m told it is in very sad shape. I’ll see it when I get home.
Now for trike. On side which struck cage, NO damage. Left side, which went down on, (fender, fairing, turn signal, and main trike body, plus a few small things.) Have seen phone photos, which don’t show me much. Geico involved in getting it fixed, though first order of business is to get me home.
Down to about 50 MPH, and one of the cages had the same idea – caught my right rear fender and flipped me up on my left side. (I had on full gear.) Don’t remember much, except the trike was driving me into the Jersey wall. When stopped, seems like a fuel leak, but to heck with the bike. My chest will killing me and I could not breath. Bystanders pulled me straight (was up on my right side, but left side is what was hurt. I thought legs were pinned, but weren't. I was able to coach a couple how to get helmet off, and they padded my head. Life squad seemed to get there quickly, but I wanted to have nothing to do with them, as they need to strap me to back board, and with 7 broken ribs, it was well. I kept batting at them with my arms telling them to stop, - - no such luck.
Inova Farfax was close. Was bleeding inside chest wall. They knocked me out and put in a large chest tube to try to keep the chest drained. Lot happened following week, but bleeding did not stop, so Saturday, had more surgery to put in two chest tubes. Also they used a roto-rooter tool with light, cutting blade, flushing solution, to try to wash out the blood clots. Finely 10 days after accident, liquid (now part blood and part clear) started slowing. This morning I had one tube taken out. The tubes hurt far exceed the pain of the broken ribs. Looks like second tube will stay in for a couple more days. Still in Shock-trauma though.
Safety gear – only place I got road rash was knees, as I had on heavy chaps. I had a full armor winter Joe Rocket coat, which I have not seen, though I’m told the EMTs did get it cut up into about 10 pieces. Joe Rocket boots came through un-scathed. New Noland N104 helmet did it’s job, as I’m told it is in very sad shape. I’ll see it when I get home.
Now for trike. On side which struck cage, NO damage. Left side, which went down on, (fender, fairing, turn signal, and main trike body, plus a few small things.) Have seen phone photos, which don’t show me much. Geico involved in getting it fixed, though first order of business is to get me home.
