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My Triumph was Taken out Thursday night.

50K views 425 replies 80 participants last post by  Badonka Daddy 
#1 ·
Hi all,
My poor Triumph was laid to rest.
Unfortunately I was taken out on Thursday evening in Tottenham, London about 10PM.
My beautiful black Triumph Sprint ST 955i, obsessevely taken care of, secretly more on ocassion than the better half, has been fataly wounded.
It happened right outside Tottenham police station.
Spent last three days in hospital, i'll save the drama but I have walked away with no serious or lasting injuries.
Still waiting to get all this sorted out.

I don't know how or where he hit me on the bike and i still haven't seen the bike or what i'm told by a police officer is left of the bike.
He makes out the bike is about half it's original size.

I have no recollection what-so-ever of the collision and lost a lot of hours so only able to listen to what others have said in the last few days.

I'm so gutted, now I need to start again to build a custom bike to my little quirks of comfort.
 
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#136 ·
It's been a few weeks since I last said how i'm getting on.
I was hoping on some improvements but it was a slim hope anyway.

Not much change this end in the sense i'm still in pain.
I've had the results of three out of five of my injuries which unfortunatley have now been signed off as unfixable by various specialists and two hospitals.
I have permanent damage to my lower left leg which has torn/severed nerves and tendons to which I am unable to walk more than a few 100 yards with-out severe pain or resting for a bit. I can't ride a bicyle ever again because of this. All my lifes sports and hobbies are over, rock-climbing, hill walking, sailing and a few other outdoor pursuits I enjoyed since a child.

My left ankle has permenant damage, again tendons and ligaments.
I've had it pulled out of it's socket twice and now they will not / can not pull it out again to try to relocate it in it's socket as it's now doing more damage than good so I walk with a limp and a slightly twisted side-step.
This is confirmed now as permanent.

I've lost the use of my left hand/wrist/arm, calpal tunnel syndrome, again with tendon and ligament damage, mainly from my wrist being dislocated, means every movement is sending acute shooting pains right up to my left outer upper arm. I can't lift anything with it, even a cup of coffee, but I use my right hand for this anyway:)


My right shoulder/neck is still on-going and is also now looking like I may have to live with the damage here.
My top half of my body looks like i've been starved for months with serious muscle wastage.

My doc has taken me off the bike:( ,and I'm seriously hurting over this as he has told me there is a chance It may have to be for good.
The pain i'm in when I ride makes him think I am not in 100% control for my surroundings and to cure the pain I almsot have to OverDose on the pain-killers i'm on which are quite a few. Catch 22.

I've told my insurance company to be prepared for one hefty claim as it looks like I may have to take early retirement.
19 years early, so I am claiming for this.
My entire careers and lifes work are over for most of what i've taught myself and being taught over the years, so this has to be paid for.
I may also never be able to lecture again at Uni owing to me still having slight brain damage and the tablets i'm on will render me unfit in the sense i'm off my head every day with them, simply to get through the day with-out too much pain.

I'm getting assigned a full time carer indefinitely to help take the stress out of the other half having to help me and do her job at the same time.

This will do for now as reading through the above I almost feel sorry for myself lol:)
 
#137 ·
Stealth, I really feel for you man. But never give up hope. For years doctors have told patients what they can't do and patients have shown them what they CAN do.

For the pain, have you tried acupuncture? I offer this because I've recently been in the worst pain of my life - back and shoulder - and it's worse than any broken bone pain I've ever had. I don't know if it was from being rear-ended last year or if it's due to how I work at the computer but it was impossible to sleep as there was no position I could hold to relieve it. Had to sleep sitting up and take painers.

I've now been to the acupuncturist twice of the 6 session he's recommended and it has really helped. He inserts filaments which release the tension in these nodules of bunched micro-fibers of muscle. He says it's new since 2009, discovered through new microsurgery-type imaging. So it's not traditional acupuncture.

Anyway, keep up your PT and don't lose heart.
Would you be OK to pilot a sidecar rig?
-Ruger
 
#138 ·
Thanks Ruger,
Everything is now on the table.
Acupucture certainly can't do any harm, so nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I'm going through every pain relief in tablet form at present. My doctor is allowing me to try anything in the BMA and if we hit lucky then i'll be laughing.
At present i'm laughing because of the tablets, but like he says as my doctor, i'm too happy to be in 100% control which stops the bike just now.
The tablets also stop all the pain, hence the actual use of them.
I'll keep trying till I find something that lets me operate with-out being out of my head to do so.:)
 
#139 ·
Stealth, sorry you are getting some bad reports from the doctors. These months have been rough for you. Definitely a lot has changed since your initial post.

I am devastated to read about the lost career. I hope you find something rewarding when this is all over.


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app
 
#140 ·
Stealth, sorry you are getting some bad reports from the doctors. These months have been rough for you. Definitely a lot has changed since your initial post.

I am devastated to read about the lost career. I hope you find something rewarding when this is all over.
It all fine, I'm just finding it a bit difficult to change a lifetimes work to something else.
I was punishing myself for trying to keep doing what I know instead of simply accepting a small change in career or lifesytle is all thats needed.:D

I will ride again, only got to work out which tablets I can use that are good enough to block the pain but not so mind bending I actually know the real day of the week, i'll be even happier to know it is say Sunday the 9th of September as at present i'm just happy knowing it's a Sunday in the month in September. Or when I make a cup of coffee, I don't have to look again to see if I put in two spoons of sugar or touch the kettle to make sure I boiled the water.:eek:

I've half planned for a lot of years to slowly sail round the globe and this is in the forefront of my thoughts again. So much so, I'm actually working it all out, as I will have the time and patience to do it. I will take someone along for the beginning to make like a bit easier then take it from there.
Not bothered about the body damage as will still manage to do the trip with very few mods to the rigging and being restricted to short distance on the legs it will be a breeze.
Yes, i've got my see legs, used to love the water in my youth, and through-out my adult hood.
So all good, all I say is may this dream become a reality.
 
#141 ·
i just read through this whole post this morning. you survived a head-on and i am so happy to be writing to you. nothing profound, just a thank you for your tenacity in recovery, your many posts retelling this tragedy, and good luck as adventure takes you to sea.
although many lucky circumstances helped you survive, i hope readers of this forum see the lesson here and gear-up.
bravo stealthmode666 and bon voyage
 
#142 ·
Thank-you so much for your time in reading this post, I know it dragged on a bit.
I have to agree with you 100% on the gear-up, even the short rides which are just as dangerous as the long ones.
It hurts me to see the amount of idiots here in London who ride with no protection bar a helmet. And the majority of these are L riders, so something to be noticed in this.
 
#143 ·
It has been a while since I gave an update on my progress.
I have had to instruct my solicitors who are Minster Law and BLD to take the third party to court in order for me to get some justice.
The third party insurers have ignored any and every correspondance what-so-ever to do with the accident as a usual stalling tactic in the last 3 months.
This is now the 7th month of this and i'm almost at my wits end with the slowness and down right couldn't give a toss about me attitude from the third party insurers.

I have had 1 major set-back as in at present i've lost partial use of my left arm/shoulder, compounded with excrutiating pain and a burning feeling almost constantly.
It looks like the damage to my nerves/tendons is deteriating rapidly and i've lost all muscle tone in said arm.

And yet I can sit on my motorbike and reach the handlebars and clutch, so not all bad.
I've had to revert back to writing with my right hand which i've not done since a teenager so it is difficult re-learning how to write again.
Everything is done with only one arm/hand at present so a bit of a pest.

I can't even dress myself properly any more and am unable to even do a simple task of putting on a shirt/jacket.

The arm will not come much beyond waist level and certainly will not let me get it near head height.

I had spend days on end with no sleep simply because I am unable to lie down as any pressure on my arm/shoulder intensifies the pain to the extent it is making me sweat badly so I am very annoyed.

The pain is so severe i've been put on diamorphine so at least i can get a few hours sleep from time to time.

All I can do at present is sit it out and wait for my insurance to kick in properly.

I've shelved the idea at present of of going sailing as quite simply it is not happening in the condition i'm in with my body.

p.s.
While i'm on the diamorphine drip I feel like nothing is wrong so a blessing in disguise.
I have a nurse who has to come daily to administer the drip and again my insurance are trying to get this sorted out so i'm not taking from the state or NHS.

My insurance company phoned me this morning with some bits of news. A formal statement from all people involved professionally with me including myself as this is needed for court.

They also got the report back from the catastrophic brain injury specialist unit of which a copy is in the post.

Hence the urgency for court as I was not aware fully I need the support and help of professionals to get by on a daily basis until the brain/body damage hopefully gets better.
I've also got a problem that fills me with horror.
They are in the process of revoking my bike licence and are fighting with me over the fact I don't want to lose it.

I know i'm not fit or safe to drive at present but there is no need to make my life even more difficult than it is at present, because this means I will have to put my bike in storage and not even be able to shift it about while i've been getting it done up.
If I don't give it to them they say they will have to write to DVLA so looks like I've lost this fight for the time being.
 
#144 ·
Sorry to hear about this continuing sorry mess but it looks like you're doing the best you can do.

Don't bother to fight the revoked licence thing, you won't win.

My own experience of using solicitors tells me that it's a horribly frustrating experience - they seem thick, slow, unbelievably stupid at times - but in the end they will achieve the right result and they are way more human than insurance companies who are, in my opinion, the lowest of the low.

Stay with it and don't let them get you down.
 
#148 ·
Trying so hard and i'll bite my tounge but I feel like going to the national press after this is all over as this is criminally wrong and insane what is happeneing to me, all in the aid of share-holder profits and fat payments between themselves and me left to fight my entire case and do every bit of leg work and investigation in order to get justice.
 
#145 ·
I was hoping you would be doing a little better by now. Keep hanging in there. Things will eventually take a turn for the better.
 
#149 ·
I was angry by the looks of my last post.
Its the finacial strain and burden of it all that's getting to me and a bunch of people in high paid jobs who don't know there arse from there elbows. (solicitors)
I've gone out of my way to provide and prove my case and show I did nothing wrong when this was down to the police and my insurance company.
Now i've ordered my insurance people to go immediately to court to get this ball rolling as they were just sitting back doing nothing to help me.
They kept telling me the third party are ignoring there emails and letters and telephone calls and somehow they never realized this was wrong.
 
#151 · (Edited)
#147 ·
Good to hear from you Stealth. With all the frustration I'm glad that at least they're taking your pain management seriously.

Is it possible that turning in your motorcycling license would actually help your case?
An insurance company might see your wanting to retain it as an indication your injuries aren't as bad as stated, or that they may be exaggerated.
Can you get it back at some later date once healed-up a bit more?

I hope you have found a solicitor with experience in motorcycle cases.
I hope your solicitor aims high and gets you a large settlement since besides your medical bills there's the chance you may require some sort of special
equipment in the future such as an air-shifter or a new bike with auto transmission which would allow you to ride again and enjoy the
completely legal transport mode of your choice.
Don't allow anyone to tell you that you assumed part of the risk by riding a bike.
-Ruger

P.S. Sorry for all the choppy lines in my text. The text won't wrap to the window size and I can't figure out why.
 
#150 ·
Don't know if you've heard of NABD?
national association of bikers with a Disability.
They are a biking charity that are amazing
Helped me get my licence back after loosing my left leg. I only needed advice but they offer other help too.
Not too expensive to join & there is also an online forum.
My advice for what it's worth, get yourself better physically first be patient and then worry about riding again, I'm sure you will but healing is a process that takes time.
And finally good luck!

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#152 ·
Thanks for the heads up triple strength, certainly words of wisdom and hope. Never heard of them but am looking into it now.
The mood swings and anger I feel are not me, or before the accident I should say were never me.
I hate confrontation and would normally run at the sound or sight of anything wrong or agressive.
Yet I find myself getting angry at things which is just wrong.
 
#155 ·
As a lot of people on here have said, i'm well on the mend.
The whole debacle with the insurance is what is really getting to me as the financial strain is taking it's toll.
I've lost a lot and am in serious poverty. Bailliffs on my doorstep and everyone starting court proceedings against me for stupid bits of money that at present I don't have.
Humans are so cruel at times and as i'm seeing daily now are evil to the core in a lot of situations and actually are very sick and twisted.
 
#154 ·
You've been going and are going through massive changes, the head on collision started a chain of events completely out of your control.
I personally would be very worried if you weren't angry.
But anger gives us energy, you've lost a huge amount, physically, and also career and financial. You are obviously not a quitter so it's about using the system to fight back.
Have you claimed DLA you've paid tax for years so why not?
It sounds like you would qualify.
I have to at times use a wheelchair and I hate it, but it allows me to work and socialise, use what's available to you and get well again.
One day hopefully we'll meet out there on the road on our bikes:)

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#159 ·
Stealth,

just read the whole thing, amazing you're doing so well. Fair play to you, and its great you were able to personally say thanks to those who helped.

I hope you get the justice you deserve and get the bike you're after

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#162 ·
...heal up & rest
Thanks RICHW, you are right, i'm sometimes pushing myself too hard to get through this, but this is all I know at present.
I wish I could rest but until I get any confirmation of a single penny from all this i'm going to be living in extreme fear as at present i'm very close to being evicted from my home in London.
I am spending a lot of time at the other halfs in Cambridge as she is my rock in all this as is her younger son.
I feel bad as I have still not told her the full extent of the accident as I fear after helping her son through his test and getting him a bike she would have put a stop to it immediately.
I feel it's in her interest not to know yet as this would then scare her so much and her poor son would be punished for something he never did.
I mean in the sense she would not have let him ride a motorbike.
She does not know about the helicopter or the CPR and quite a few bits of the seriousness of it.
I haven't even let her see the smashed bike and said it had only a couple of broken panels.
As to the damage to my clothing, again, it has been hidden by me so she will never see it.
God if she suddenly got a Triumph and joined the forum then I'd be in worse trouble than any police force could give to me
 
#163 ·
I just got back to London and opened my mail.
Now i've got some explaining to do and humble pie to eat:eek:

My solicitor is phoning my other half, not me, to arrange a meeting with her and me together for the court proceedings.

Fate is weird, you temp it and it will bite you back.
I mean I've only just said I've kept the worst of the accident from my other half and now suddenly she is going to find out the full extent of what actually happened on the night in question.

I have the report and recommendations and actions which have to be put in place to help me.
It actually hurts to read and no wonder they want my licence from me if the report is anything to go by.
Summary bits i'll put up but this is all ongoing and still in the process. I will not be putting up personal stuff, only bits to allow you all to read for yourselves the extent of the accident and the long awaited help I thought was not coming. And to be honest, some of it I am still unaware of.

4. Summary

4.1 MR(me)who was very fit and active prior to the injury.

4.2 Accommodation and environment is not meeting his current needs and he seriously puts himself at risk every day by climbing up and down stairs to use the bathroom and toilet. He would like to move from London and the noise and bustle of such a large city.

4.3 He is in constant and sometimes extreme pain in his leg and hand/arm and is not recieving near enough help so is relying on medication alone.

4.4 His priority goal is to mobilise, be free of pain and return to work along with his outdoor hobbies and pursuits.

4.5 Mr (stealthmode666) is suffering from depression since the injury and has repeated to several people he would be better off shutting himself away from everyone until he is better. This is serious and needs immediate response.

4.6 Ms .....(the other half) is in need of support in order to assist her in caring for her friend/companion to maintain the quality of what I see is a very close friendship and deep love for one another. She has been taking annual leave to take Mr (me) back to/from hospital and his house in London.

5. Recommendations

5.1 (to personal to type here)

5.2 MR (me) would also benefit from further rehabilitation support to assist him to regain independence and confidence with daily activities in/around the home and access to local community.

5.3 Case management

5.3.1 I recommend that a case manager is instructed to coordinate and take responsibility for:

• Resourcing and assessing all relevant medical, rehabilitation and support services for (me), to include the services of an occupational therapist, neuropsychologist and physiotherapist.
• To arrange suitable accommodation with downstairs or level access bathroom for Mr (me) close to his friend.
• Identifying, engaging and supervising an independent support worker for Mr (me).
• Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of all interventions.
• Providing ongoing support and advice for MR (me) and his friend’s family.
• Providing comprehensive risk assessments.
• Providing monthly progress reports on case management activity.

5.4 Physiotherapy

5.4.1 I recommend the services of an independent physiotherapist following the index injuries which have been left for so long unattended which seems wrong at this stage and I will need to further research why this has been allowed to happen in such an extreme case considering the amount of immense and sometimes excruciating pain MR (me) is suffering.

5.5 Occupational therapy

5.5.1 Occupational therapy input is required to assist MR (me) to regain independence and confidence in daily activities in/around the home and the community. I recommend the services of an independent occupational therapist to provide a detailed report with recommendations for treatment/intervention.

5.6 Support worker

5.6.1 I recommend that a support worker is recruited to assist MR (me) to carry out exercises as per therapist’s guidelines and recommendations. The support worker will also accompany him in taking prescribed medication only and at proper times as set out by the instructions of said medication.

This is only some bits, i'll put more up another time as this alone has taken me hours just to type out and copy and paste.
 
#164 ·
I feel for you and hope this last bit is a glimmer of hope toward resolving the whole thing.

Reading from the start, it didn't sound like the off had caused you all that much damage. I'm not sure if you were simply downplaying it or if you hadn't fully realized the extent of you ongoing injuries at that time. I suspect a little of both.

Also at the early stages it looked like your insurance company was treating you very well. 'Great', I thought, 'finally an insurance company does what's right by their policy holder instead of trying to penny pinch'. Then things turned. Again, I hope the above post is the start of finally resolving this.

Your story is also a strong warning to anybody else not to settle quickly. Many times people simply don't know what long-term issues they have and too often insurance companies are eager to settle early. Perhaps if there is any silver lining in these long delays it's that you'll at least receive fuller compensation. Had you settled before realizing the long-term damage, you would likely have been unable to seek anything further.

Good luck, and let's hope things are quickly resolved from here!
 
#166 ·
I feel for you and hope this last bit is a glimmer of hope toward resolving the whole thing.

Reading from the start, it didn't sound like the off had caused you all that much damage. I'm not sure if you were simply downplaying it or if you hadn't fully realized the extent of you ongoing injuries at that time. I suspect a little of both.
I thought it was just a case of shut-up and get on with it. I admit I am struggling with it and from what the report says it looks like I've not being doing things very well.
How was I to know when I had nothing to compare it to in the sense of what has really happened.
The amount of morphine i've had since the night in question has probably helped me deal with it a lot more than I knew but now the talk is to remove it from me before I become dependent on it.
Why is it that things you like are so bad for you?:(
 
#171 ·
I am trying to extract some more of the report to put here for all to read.
I find it very funny and hilarious at some of the things I've done or tried to do and not realising I was been watched while doing it which fraked me out when I read it, but trust me, you will hopefully see the funny side of it and not dwell on the seriousness of what has happened.

As an example, I apparently put clothes for washing in a dishwasher, and turned the dam thing on to wash them.
If only I never turned it on I might have got away with this one, ( in my defence on this one, you wash dishes with a dishwasher, so why can't you wash clothes with one.
They both wash things so not that big a problem really. (i'm making fun of course of the whole thing):rolleyes:
 
#173 ·
...you will hopefully see the funny side of it and not dwell on the seriousness of what has happened.

As an example, I apparently put clothes for washing in a dishwasher, and turned the dam thing on to wash them.
If only I never turned it on I might have got away with this one, ( in my defence on this one, you wash dishes with a dishwasher, so why can't you wash clothes with one.
They both wash things so not that big a problem really. (i'm making fun of course of the whole thing):rolleyes:
Now that's funny! :)
 
#172 ·
Stealthmode,

All I can say is, we're all pulling for you. Please continue to post as works best for you. We're here for you, online, to help you continue to sort through this.

And I do hope the lawyers getting involved will start to turn the corner on this ordeal. My own experience is only indirect -- my father was hit by a car as a pedestrian -- but I concur with others in viewing insurance companies as the lowest of the low. In my father's case, he had an insurance rep ask him why he hit her client's car -- with his body. In his situation I probably would have started screaming epithets into the phone. My father had the presence of mind to explain to the monumentally selfish dimwit exactly what her client's car had done to his body, and everything that hurt. Believe it or not, she ended the call still claiming it was my father's fault.

Not trying to divert your thread, just wanted to offer support that insurance companies need to be dealt with forcefully, which you are doing through legal means. Good for you.

On the medical front, I echo what others have said: one day at a time, give your body time, and work with the doctors. They will help, and your body will heal beyond your expectations. Keep at it. Perseverance is the most powerful tool you have on your side.

Best wishes.
 
#174 ·
Laughing is a form of medicine, and at least you can see what you were doing, so not doing it now is an improvement.
The other medicine is time:)
What helped me was planning in detail what I was going to do in the future, setting goals that are achievable can be a source of comfort, the key is patience, which can be incredibily difficult to maintain.
This might be hard to believe BUT its true. I've achieved far more career wise as someone with a disabilty than I would have done otherwise, at age 40 I changed tack and have never looked back.
Doors will open, you just need to look for opportunities. Life can at times be really tough, but you are not a quitter (your heart proves that, it would not stay stopped) and you have the love and support of your partner. Hang in there, one day you will look back and realise how strong you are/were and what you've done.
Keep safe!

Sent from my GT-I9100P using Motorcycle.com Free App
 
#177 ·
Laughing is a form of medicine, and at least you can see what you were doing, so not doing it now is an improvement.
The other medicine is time:)
I'm 7 months on and to me this is such a small time in the big scheme of life.
All I want at present is too stop being pestered so much by medical people as the stress they cause is unbelievable, simply to allow them to look and probe and fix what they can for me.
I feel like a darn lab rat. I know they need to do these things to help them better understand what to do next but at times I wish they would just leave me alone.
I am a fighter, always have been, always found life to be so prescious and still do.:)
 
#176 ·
This whole spectable should have been made into a comedy film.
My brain damage is other people who notice it, to me, I don't know any real difference so this is not bothering me much.
It's the hard parts of moving about freely that take there toll at present.
I'd even managed to get my new motorbike and try it and also managed to half strip the smashed one and start work on my new one. Please let me have more morphine so I can at least get this part done.
All the people over the months must have thought my out of my head ways was through the accident to my brain and never realised I was on morphine, and not something I was going to tell anyone anyway.
I still struggle to understand how the hell I managed to do so much in the early stages of the accident and yet now I can hardly move without severe problems and pain.
 
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