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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
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Message started by MrBrownTX on 03/13/12 at 12:13:27

Title: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by MrBrownTX on 03/13/12 at 12:13:27

Well heck,

Two Friday nights ago a gigantic tractor took my butt OUT!

The tractor pulled out in front of me on a 70 mph road but I was anticipating it. I was already doing on 55 becuase this was a bad intersection I was approaching. I slowed down he then pulled off onto the right hand shoulder like he saw me and was getting over. I looked into the oncoming lane to pass him clear out of the way as it was a HUGE sprayer tractor with dual 8 foot tall tires on the back.

The oncoming lane was clear so I rolled on it a bit and started around the tractor. Unfortunately I made the mistake of assuming he saw me. He apparently just had some strange plans to swing wide on his left turn. As I was just about even with him he swung left instantly across our lane and into the oncoming lane and right into me. BAM INSTANTLY and unexpected.

I didn't have much time at all to brake. I hit HARD into one of those huge back tires around 60mph.

I then launched high into the air (thinking OMG THAT just happened, I am just trying to get home to my family, what the hell tractor man) and came down on my left shoulder and helmet. I slid and rolled over a few time and came to a stop in an ant pile (Yes ants enjoyed feasting on my leg until the firemen got there to move me)!

As soon as I stopped rolling I reached up and felt my helmet and my chest and realized they seemed to be in one piece. I knew I was alive and was very pleased to discover that.

My gear saved my skin and my life for sure. I have only mild road rash in a few spots mainly my knees as I was only wearing khakis.

My helmet has a nice crack down the side of it and some deep gouges from grinding across the pavement and rocks on the side of the road.

My right lower leg was smashed horribly bad though and I had to have it screwed back together and my knee reassembled in surgery. Got a broken fibula and several broken bones in my right foot. And Boy Howdy does that shoulder I landed on hurt worst of all, they say its not broken though.

Well anyways sorry for the long story I tried to keep it short. Moral of the story:
Never assume they saw you and ALWAYS wear your gear.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Routy on 03/13/12 at 12:49:27

Every riders nitemare,.......glad you survived it all,.....and thanks for telling about it. Hope you make a fast and full recovery.
I keep telling me to ride defensively, but them deer don't cooperate well.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by EJID on 03/13/12 at 13:09:49

OUCH!!!! :o :o :o

Glad to hear you came out ok, even though it will obviously take some recovery time.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by babyhog on 03/13/12 at 13:20:53

Wow man, I'm very glad you are "ok" and lived to tell the tale. Get well and hopefully you will get back in the saddle soon. Even if you never ride again, at least stick around here for some amusement!

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by verslagen1 on 03/13/12 at 13:35:11

HOLY FARMING EQUIPMENT!

Glad you still got your bucket, even though it's a bit dented.

Heal up and get back to us.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Bubba on 03/13/12 at 14:02:24

Glad you survived.
That's gonna leave a mark...

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Retread on 03/13/12 at 14:12:21

Glad your still kicking, get well soon.. Two rules, the other guy doesn't see you, he does see you and doesn't give a crap....

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by greenmonster on 03/13/12 at 14:32:25

+1 to wearing your gear.

Hope you recover swiftly.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by arteacher on 03/13/12 at 14:48:08

Sorry to hear about your accident. I've had those turkeys pull out in front of me too. I guess they are so used to driving those things around without any other vehicles in the field that they forget to look when they are on the road.
The tractor man is going to pay all your expenses of course?
Speedy recovery.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/13/12 at 14:50:29

TRactors are for plowing, we arent supposed to plow into them,,,
That is considered to be an abundant source of ouchies. You are sucking air & will heal IF you manage to get outta that hospital w/o any flesh eating bacteria munchin on your butt.. Watch the people who come in, ask them to wash their hands before they touch you.

MRSA has become a serious problem across the nation, I would want a bottle of colloidal silver to wipe any incisions with & to sniff droplets into my sinuses a few times a day.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by bluesrockdoc on 03/13/12 at 15:10:06

Glad had your gear on. Good luck and heal fast!!!

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Tonydtiger1971 on 03/13/12 at 15:46:46

Glad to hear you're ok considering what you hit. Get well soon.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Serowbot on 03/13/12 at 17:53:20

That's some hit you took...
Speedy healing... ;)...

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by built2last66 on 03/13/12 at 18:21:50

Sorry brother....

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Howitzer on 03/13/12 at 19:00:40

MrBrownTX..sorry to hear this happened to you. We should all learn from his situation. Be extremely careful when passing other cars. They might do something like the tractor did in this case, and you'd have almost zero time to react.

I wish a speedy and TOTAL recovery to you man.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Trippah on 03/13/12 at 19:39:28

another wish for a speedy recovery and pain free living thereafter. ;)

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by BrettKeiselsbeard on 03/13/12 at 19:55:24

Scary sh%$. Glad your still with us. I got hit by a recycle bin a few months ago. ::) Ok, not really the same is it?

8-)

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by SuperSavage on 03/13/12 at 20:31:56

You've lived through every biker's nightmare and came out the other side intact, save your leg injuries. I wish for you to have a speedy and complete recovery. Rubber side down...

JohnnyCat

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Borracho on 03/13/12 at 20:37:45

I'm glad you were wearing the helmet. Get better and live a rich life!

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Savage_Rob on 03/13/12 at 21:50:54

Workin' them angels, huh? I'm sorry you went through that but glad you made it as intact as you did. Just think... You could've come out functioning like Gary Busey! Best wishes for a speedy recovery with as little pain as possible.

Rob

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by MrBrownTX on 03/14/12 at 16:36:26

Thanks folks, for the well wishes. I can't tell you happy I am to have lived through that. My dad died at 49 in a motorcycle accident. I knew everytime I got on I was risking my life but I loved to ride.

I am definitely going to be retired from riding now though. I cheated death and don't dare risk that again. It really freaks me out to think about how close I was to being dead, especially with a 2 year old and a 2 month old at home.

Stay Safe folks!

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by BrettKeiselsbeard on 03/14/12 at 21:05:37

Respected MrBrownTX! Never doubt your gut instinct. But.......when you children are 16 or so........just sayin.

Riding bikes is a gift from god, but it does not make you one. We are all at risk and should never forget that. RSD!

8-)

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Routy on 03/14/12 at 21:30:24

6B746474697168727E060 wrote:

Like said, go w/ your better judgement as to ride or not to ride,.....but I must say this,.......
My dad died at 48
His Dad (my grampa) died at 49,
neither ever rode a motorcycle.
Me,.....I rode most of my life,.....been down twice, but I'm alive at 70.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/15/12 at 00:07:48

Ive totaled 3 of them,,

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by LANCER on 03/15/12 at 02:28:16

Sorry to hear of your accident but I am thankful you survived and will heal. I understand your situation completely, having been launched from my bike last year, breaking my back and other stuff. It's been a year since then but I'm finally back to normal activity.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Drifter on 03/15/12 at 05:35:24

Glad your still alive!!! Been there done that only with a car not a tractor. Think positive..really it helps!! And you should get a nice chunk of money from tractor man!

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by drums1 on 03/16/12 at 07:35:36

Glad you're still with us and hopefully, don't have lasting effects from the leg injury.
Did the bike survive as well? Or was it totaled?
After reading this story and all the replies, I think I will set aside my freebird attitude and start wearing my helmet. I got one and only ever wore it to take my road test. (required) It's one of those 1/2 helmets and kind of makes me feel like a bobblehead when riding, but I suppose that's better than a deadhead.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Mr Hyde on 03/16/12 at 08:03:52

Where I live helmets are manadatory and although I hated wearing one the first time I went for a lengthy skid I almost wore the side of the helmet flat. To say it saved me is an understatement. Kept the helmet as a reminder but I still wear a shorty. I get claustrophobic with the full face. Glad to hear your're doing well but in my experience there is not such thing as a 'little road rash', it's just probably unweighed by your other injuries. ;)

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by Fish on 03/16/12 at 08:30:04

darn man, sorry to hear about the wreck and your injuries. Glad to hear you had enough gear to keep you intact.
Landing in an ant hill? If it weren't for bad luck some of us would have no luck at all.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by tixin on 03/16/12 at 09:13:21

I'm just glad my wife does not know about this site! Nevertheless, I ride like my grandma in her Pinto, deliberately keeping distance and following the speed limit ... most of the time!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Title: Re: Helmets save lives, the tractor won, I'm done
Post by teabowl13 on 03/16/12 at 10:24:50

535D58454B534443565906310 wrote:

Riding bikes is a gift from god, but it does not make you one. We are all at risk and should never forget that. RSD!

8-)

I too am amazed and very glad you are OK; or at least you will be. That's a whole lot to ask for. Given what you described you are truly lucky just to be alive. I know you'll miss riding, but I definitely can't blame you for staying away from it. My now 2 year old daughter is right in the front of my mind every time I go out these days.
Cheers!