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Date:         Tue, 23 Sep 2003 21:12:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey Schwaia <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Am stuck in a wheel chair (not a funny post and its not
              friday...)
Comments: To: Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2003092323435642@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Ben,

I understand... I've been hit by cars 3 times, luckily, I've been able to walk (or limp) away from all my incidents.

Hope you feel better soon.

Cheers,

Jeff

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of Ben huot Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 8:38 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Am stuck in a wheel chair (not a funny post and its not friday...)

Hey guys,

Before you read my long post I invite you to look at one picture: http://www.desert2002.com/crash_moto/moto_crash3.jpg

I got your attention now!

Sad event for me last Friday, it's the nightmare of any motorcyclist. A stupid accident 2 miles from my home, under rainy condition, no alcohol involves, 25mph and vlannnn.... A direct hit to the side of a car that was “stuck” transversally!! In the middle of a 3 lane boulevard, he was baking out of is driveway, instead of baking up in a "turn" like any other normal person would do, he went back straight crossing the 3 lanes, he stalled the car, restart, saw me coming, he tried to go out of my way forward but... went backward at the last instant, he taught he was in first gear...he was in reverse??? full blast, 25 feet from me as I was going slowly to pass him in the left lane.... I had no escape clause; I only could brace myself for impact.

The impact was hard, even at only 20mph, I was scared and taught I would die for a second... I did cover my head, which is all I was thinking!!! I hit the car on my left side, my head and shoulder hit at the same time... no hard shock at the neck, but my lower body hit the lower part of the car and twisted on impact leaving me without strength and feeling on my left leg, I couldn't move and I was soaked in fuel (my fuel tank exploded on impact). To get things worse, the guys move his car forward just after the impact???? I just had time to remove my arm from under the car, I was in shock and a bit dizzy/dazed. I was mad like hell.

I always taught I was invincible, I've been driving motorcycle for 20 years, I guess I was lucky... So now am stuck in a wheel chair and stuck in my room for at least 4 weeks (and I know am lucky), I won't be able to walk on y leg before 2 months. I have a broken hip (I hope you never get that, it hurt like hell!!!), a fissured knee and a few broken tows. Now, what use to be a simple and normal task in te house is a new adventure (like getting out of my bed to my wheel chair, 5 minutes)

This is an "inevitable type" of accident, the one you couldn't do much about it or won't have remorse because you did all you can when it happen. It's a motorcyclist ultimate nightmare, with the "Going trough Red light" one.

Am not here to complain, but only to create more awareness amongst drivers. PLEASE, look carefully when backing up / reverse, be very careful to check/look for dead angles when changing lane, be vigilant, and be courteous when driving. Especially around motorcycle, we maybe annoying and crazy around you sometime but that is NOT a reason for killing us!

Maybe I should have stop all the way and wait that this dumb butt makes his mind, I was tired and I couldn't wait to get home, I made a very small mistake not stopping and I paid the price.

I was scared of dying Friday... because of his ignorance, inaptitude, his inattention and his lack of experience. We all have moments of inattention when driving, so am posting here so maybe we will have less of those moments.

More picture of the sad event: http://www.desert2002.com/moto.htm

Be careful out there. Cheers, Ben http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm ps.: the good news for you guys it that I will have a lot of time to update my website.


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