Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Location: Pace, FL
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Hello All, This is for all of you out there who are still hurting from a fall, or a craaash as was my case. I went back to the scene of the accident for the first time since May 24. The scars in the ditch were still there from the R1150R that went through on both sides as it did a flippy-do. The bike was a total loss, but the insurance settlement was fair. Lesson: Keep all receipts. When the insurance adjuster made the offer for the damage, I was able to add to the amount all of the bags and racks that I had added. I was pretty much a total loss, too. Statistics are not good for an open-book pelvic fracture. It was really wide. As for the actual collision I remember seeing headlights on the oncoming vehicle swing to my left, then back to the right before I got into the ABS. Upon visiting the scene, I realize that the offending driver was approaching me from a steep banked turn to the right, then entered a turn-lane for the left hand turn that was into my lane of travel. That accounted for the lights swinging from left to right. I heard the bike hit the truck in the passenger window. My head hit the window and I went over the truck and landed in the ditch. The bill for the first night's stay in the hospital was $22,000. The settlement check for the hospital stay was written to me AND the hospital. Their business office called and scheduled a time for me to come by and settle the bill. As I was on the phone with the sweet little lady in the business office I asked her, "Is this the least that you will take for this bill?" She replied that she could give me a 10% discount. Then she said, "Wait, I'm going to ask someone else." When she got back on the phone she said, "I talked to Susan in legal and she said to give you a 40% discount. Your bill will be $12,800.00." Lesson: Ask for a discount. My close friend who is a physician told me to drink when I was not thirsty, eat when I was not hungry, and do 10 times what the physical therapist told me to do.....his point was that I had to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. The accident was Thursday night, surgury was Saturday morning, and I was discharged to go home on Wednesday. My mom and dad had a hospital bed delivered to their house and I spent the next 12 weeks in the bed or in a wheel-chair. Lesson: Do exactly what the doctor orders and you'll get better. I have a plate in my tummy, but I went through a metal detector last weekend and it didn't beeeep! Things are healing nicely, I'm walking slowly and have put away the walker. The surgeon told me to put gradually increasing pressure on the left leg in the amount of 25 pounds per week. I'm up to 200 pounds this week and I can hardly feel the plate now. When I roll over in bed I have to be very careful to turn as a unit or I get some very uncomfortal popping sounds from the pelvis. I do have a new girlfriend and the "New Therapy" is working well. My insurance company's adjuster calls me every week to chat, the other guy's insurance adjuster calls every other week to check on my progress. I've gotten a call from the kid's mother. The case was a policy limit case. His policy stated that they would accept 80% liability for the accident, but a State Trooper responding to the accident wrote the kid a ticket for turning in front of me so the insurance company accepted 100% liability. So far, the business side of things has gone great. Thanks again to the EXPLOR family who has been a source of help and hope for me in this process. It still hurts, but it could be much worse.
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Stephen Pearce--Pace, Florida--2004 R1150R (R.I.P.)---1980 HD FLHC--2005 Honda ST1300
Posted on
09/06/2007 at 19:50
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Joined: Nov 12, 2006
Location: Stone Mountain, GA
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Keep up the speedy recovery, sounds like you're doing great!
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Thomas - I like to keep it simple... IBA# 28109 '07 R1200GS Adventure
Posted on
09/06/2007 at 20:04
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Joined: Jan 19, 2007
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Wow, sounds like it was pretty bad. Also sounds like you're recovering well. Keep doing the extra PT and everything... especially the "New Therapy". Good man. Steven
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Posted on
09/06/2007 at 20:22
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Joined: Jan 02, 2007
Location: Austin, TX
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Ah Stephen, so good to hear your voice again and to find you recovering so well. The info about the two big guys made me a bit quesy! I.. ah.. was going to bring some smart aleck comments into the mix but it looks like YOU beat me to it!! So.. I'll just go back to my corner and snicker on my own.... Best to you!
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Posted on
09/06/2007 at 22:17
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Joined: May 22, 2007
Location: Cheyenne, WY
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Stephen -- Glad to see you posting again. Thanks for the update. Nice to know you are doing better. Keep up the good work and remember to look through the turn to where you want to go. Best wishes for continued success. -- Jack
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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits
Posted on
09/06/2007 at 23:19
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Joined: Nov 26, 2006
Location: Independence, MO
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 Hotel179 said: Hello All, The bill for the first night's stay in the hospital was $22,000. The settlement check for the hospital stay was written to me AND the hospital. ...... When she got back on the phone she said, "I talked to Susan in legal and she said to give you a 40% discount. Your bill will be $12,800.00." Lesson: Ask for a discount. Thanks again to the EXPLOR family who has been a source of help and hope for me in this process. It still hurts, but it could be much worse. Hey Stephen. A mighty fine financial deal you pulled off there. Glad to hear you're doing better, and good to hear your voice again. There's a chance I just might ride south from Birmingham and shake your hand on the way to Biloxi come October. Are you still in Foley? Depends on a couple of business matters, but if I can shake loose a few extra days, you just might have to put up with a short visit if you're up to it. We'll drink a cold one to your recovery and life in general..... (PS - unless of course, you've figured out a way to make it to Barbers?) By the way........ Funny Money opened tonight. I'm the Passerby who shows up in the 2nd Act shooting the place up..... and I'm loving it. Again, glad to hear your voice again. We need a few sane people around here to keep us all straight.... 
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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."
Posted on
09/07/2007 at 01:03
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Joined: Dec 24, 2006
Location: Arkadelphia, AR
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WELCOME BACK! You (and your posts) have been missed! Congrats on the new g.f. They're such a blessing when they're new; and afterwards.... there's motorcycles! Are you thinking about a new ride yet? >>>Steve
Posted on
09/09/2007 at 11:10
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Joined: Dec 24, 2006
Location: Austin, TX
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You thinking about easing a ride on the Harley this season? C
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401K? Retirement? Ha! Don't be ridiculous!
Posted on
09/09/2007 at 12:27
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Joined: Jan 20, 2007
Location: Pace, FL
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Csteinman said: You thinking about easing a ride on the Harley this season? C I was in the garage a couple of weeks ago and brushed some of the dust away from the Harley....turned the switch to see if the battery was still in good shape after 3 months of not running....fairly bright headlight....pulled the enrichener, hit the starter...fired right up so I had to take it for a ride. I planned the route so that I didn't have to stop and put my foot down. It felt so good that I took an hour to putt around. Things are continuing to look up. Stephen
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Stephen Pearce--Pace, Florida--2004 R1150R (R.I.P.)---1980 HD FLHC--2005 Honda ST1300
Posted on
09/10/2007 at 08:18
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Joined: Nov 26, 2006
Location: Independence, MO
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Csteinman said: You thinking about easing a ride on the Harley this season? C [/quote] I was in the garage a couple of weeks ago and brushed some of the dust away from the Harley....turned the switch to see if the battery was still in good shape after 3 months of not running....fairly bright headlight....pulled the enrichener, hit the starter...fired right up so I had to take it for a ride. I planned the route so that I didn't have to stop and put my foot down. It felt so good that I took an hour to putt around. Things are continuing to look up. Stephen. Think B A R B E R S! At least Saturday night........... There will be darn good chili. Darn cold beer. Pretty darn good cornbread.  Old friends. New friends. And some 1/2 way between. There wil be stories, lies and damn lies.  I'm guessing it will do more for your rehab than sitting around Foley. If you're up to it physically, it will do a world of good for your psyche. You can even help me pick out the sticker (last year it was Ducati) to stick on Todd's Volvos when he's busy figuring out what in the hell happen to the cornbread.   PS - if you'd be more comfortable sitting around in a skirt (called Kilts at Todd's), don't worry about it You'll fit right in........ 
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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."
Posted on
09/10/2007 at 10:33
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Joined: Dec 29, 2006
Location:
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Stephen, glad to see you're back. You should consider Barbers... I've met some of the characters and recommend them as a great group. Congratulations on your success with the insurance company for the other guy. Thus far, "Direct Adjusting", the carrier for the guy who pulled out in front of me has refused to pay my medical or out of pocked costs of any kind. MY insurance (State Farm) paid to have my bike fixed. I've been thinking about calling their insured to ask him if he knows any good attorneys in that area of Tennessee as it appears that I will have to sue him. Go figure.
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jean
Posted on
09/10/2007 at 13:16
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Joined: Mar 14, 2007
Location: mount airy, NC
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Hotel179 said: Hello All, This is for all of you out there who are still hurting from a fall, or a craaash as was my case. I went back to the scene of the accident for the first time since May 24. The scars in the ditch were still there from the R1150R that went through on both sides as it did a flippy-do. The bike was a total loss, but the insurance settlement was fair. Lesson: Keep all receipts. When the insurance adjuster made the offer for the damage, I was able to add to the amount all of the bags and racks that I had added. I was pretty much a total loss, too. Statistics are not good for an open-book pelvic fracture. It was really wide. As for the actual collision I remember seeing headlights on the oncoming vehicle swing to my left, then back to the right before I got into the ABS. Upon visiting the scene, I realize that the offending driver was approaching me from a steep banked turn to the right, then entered a turn-lane for the left hand turn that was into my lane of travel. That accounted for the lights swinging from left to right. I heard the bike hit the truck in the passenger window. My head hit the window and I went over the truck and landed in the ditch. The bill for the first night's stay in the hospital was $22,000. The settlement check for the hospital stay was written to me AND the hospital. Their business office called and scheduled a time for me to come by and settle the bill. As I was on the phone with the sweet little lady in the business office I asked her, "Is this the least that you will take for this bill?" She replied that she could give me a 10% discount. Then she said, "Wait, I'm going to ask someone else." When she got back on the phone she said, "I talked to Susan in legal and she said to give you a 40% discount. Your bill will be $12,800.00." Lesson: Ask for a discount. My close friend who is a physician told me to drink when I was not thirsty, eat when I was not hungry, and do 10 times what the physical therapist told me to do.....his point was that I had to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. The accident was Thursday night, surgury was Saturday morning, and I was discharged to go home on Wednesday. My mom and dad had a hospital bed delivered to their house and I spent the next 12 weeks in the bed or in a wheel-chair. Lesson: Do exactly what the doctor orders and you'll get better. I have a plate in my tummy, but I went through a metal detector last weekend and it didn't beeeep! Things are healing nicely, I'm walking slowly and have put away the walker. The surgeon told me to put gradually increasing pressure on the left leg in the amount of 25 pounds per week. I'm up to 200 pounds this week and I can hardly feel the plate now. When I roll over in bed I have to be very careful to turn as a unit or I get some very uncomfortal popping sounds from the pelvis. I do have a new girlfriend and the "New Therapy" is working well. My insurance company's adjuster calls me every week to chat, the other guy's insurance adjuster calls every other week to check on my progress. I've gotten a call from the kid's mother. The case was a policy limit case. His policy stated that they would accept 80% liability for the accident, but a State Trooper responding to the accident wrote the kid a ticket for turning in front of me so the insurance company accepted 100% liability. So far, the business side of things has gone great. Thanks again to the EXPLOR family who has been a source of help and hope for me in this process. It still hurts, but it could be much worse. Glad you;'re still here. Been thru a crash similar to yours, except my "open book" wasn't wide enough to operate, according to the Ortho doc. I know that is not pleasant. I couldn't walk when I left the hospital, but no one had explained anything to me other than "you just gotta do it". Only later, much later, did I finally get an MRI and ortho doc to explain it to me. The surgeon that operated only fixed my wrist as instructed and had no information on the pelvis. Like you , I did all I could in PT and they finally got me waliking and got my wrist working right again. I have a T shaped plate holding my wrist together. I broke the end off the big bone in lower left arm at wrist. I agree about keeping good records. Eventually, after a bunch of missteps by the insurance company and telling them they were breaking the law, they paid my property damage at $125 OVER what I originally asked. My adjuster has been great mostly. She said my medical was around $175K, which was all paid by MY health insurance. That's all the ambulance rides, CT scans, X rays, MRI, rehab, everything. So we are now negotiating the final settlement. I have a nice 03 LT from this, and am riding again, although it is different than before. I hope all can heal and learn from my crash and others'. Randy
Posted on
09/13/2007 at 09:07
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Joined: Feb 03, 2007
Location: Niantic, CT
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- Stephen,
we haven't met but I am glad to hear the upside of your story. Good for you for having such a work ethic and for remaining positive. All the best with the rest of therapy, David
Posted on
09/13/2007 at 16:00
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Joined: Feb 28, 2007
Location: Helena, AL
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Stephen, Good to hear you are steadily improving! Hopefully you will be well enough soon to join our AL club functions again. Stay strong and focused. It is obvious your attitude has been a tremendous factor in your recovery. Hopefully we will see you soon!
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Gear Up..... And Ride Safe To Ride Far!
Posted on
09/13/2007 at 21:59
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Joined: Mar 05, 2007
Location: Wimberley, TX
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I'm glad to hear you are doing well. Keep up the hard work, and it will pay off. Having another set of wheels waiting in the garage must be good motivation. And thanks for the tip about negotiating with the hospital. I'll be putting it to use in the near future.
Posted on
09/25/2007 at 08:48
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