9-1-12 ride (accident) report

Today the most freakish accident happened to me.
I was riding my ATV down a very slight grade. This grade used to be a GRAVEL road a few years back. Sure, there were a few washouts and debris in the roadway. But, for the most part it looked as safe as any trail out there.

My left front tire must have grabbed a small tree and pushed in into my chest. Yes, the tree was about 3 inches round and about 7 foot long. I am guessing it was laying there and my tire picked it up and it came right thru the front fender. It went right thru the hard plastic.

When the tree came thru it caught me in the chest right about as center left as you could get. Had it been about 2 inched higher and a touch more to the right it could have went straight into my heart. Thankfully it got me more to the side and slide off to the left. Yes, I have a good bruise and some deep scaring.

This tree literally picked up my ATV and tossed me off and to the right. I went air borne and landed off the side of the trail. Yes, I was wearing my helmet and yes it saved my bacon! I felt the bump or thud when my head hit the ground. There is about a 3 inch scare on my helmet that would have been my head if I had NOT been wearing it.

When I hit the ground I also bruised my lower right leg, my upper right shoulder, and a few other spots to boot. Once I was there on the ground I had to just lay there to catch my breath. I suppose I had a panic attack right about this time too. I recall my heart racing and no hint of pain for the first few minutes.

I checked all my extremities and there all seem to work. So, with the help of 3 of my friend I get up. I guess you could say “slow” was the name of the game for this getting up. I took my time and carefully got to my feet.

About this time I had to use the bathroom and all is well. No blood was detected. I also placed weight on my bruised leg and it held up. I was fortunate that no bones appear to be broken. I seem to be mostly just bruised and beaten up. I am sure I will be sore for days to come.

Bottom line is this: WEAR you helmet! You are not beyond having an accident! I have rode ATV’s for 12 years and never seen anything like this happen. I may ride for the next 30 years and not see anything like this again. But, when it happens it just happens.

Holy cow man!! Glad you were not hurt any worse than you were, sounds like it could have been alot worse!

So True brother this is a dangerous hobby and we should always respect that!

I am glad you was not injured worse and hope none of us see anything like it in the future!

thanks, Dr Mud was with me. He will post a pic or 2 or 3

mudhound wrote:

thanks, Dr Mud was with me. He will post a pic or 2 or 3

Glad you are ok Gary!

Glad you are OK !!!

Glad you're ok

Poprezi was present, but I did have the decency to ask Mudhound (He was still moaning and in the hole that the landed in,) if he wanted any pictures,,,,and with a groan..."Ya...go ahead a get a few"......lol....we are crazy. This was 10 minutes after the crash,,,,but Mudhound had not got up yet.

Mudhound did a good job of talking to us and telling us where and what was hurt, then was able to give directions out, he was looking at his atv about 3 feet above him on its side that looked like it might join him in his hole any minute too.

Mudhound you are now an official member of the helmet crash survivor club. I am a member also.

Glad you are ok. I saw the pics & it is unbeliveable. You were so lucky from the body hit but the helmut saved your life also. Get well soon and hope to see you on the trail soon. Dr Mud caught up to us later in the day and what a ride. Over 105 miles in one day. Saw some wonderful places. Thanks to all and keep the dirty side down.

I am very worried about Mudhound, at this point but he is able to converse and does not want us to call 911 yet.

Attacked by a Giant "Snapper Log" Tree

Starting to laugh...Praise God.

Update on the ATV accident:

I am still sore and sore. Yes, I have found new places that are sore. Some of these places are in weird spots. In other words, I wonder how in the world I got hurt there.

Going to try and work today. I might only make it a few hours. But, I am going to try.

Hey Mudhound, Glad to here the good news.

REtired Law officer Willie, on the right supervising the "I have just been knocked silly am I still safe to drive".

Hit head here...very hard...helmet crack was audible over the motors




Helmets save lives.

Notice the rock in the middle that hit the lower back....

Body Damage...

More body damage.



Log entry point.

Holy Cow!!!!!!! Man words can't describe these pictures!! Man I'm glad to hear you are ok; no boubt you will be sore from that. That is insane how that limb hit just at the wrong place to do such damage.. No telling how many of us have rode over logs and limbs like that..... Man I'm gonna think twice about them now!!!

But, I was not going fast. Nor was I doing anything crazy at all. I was not drinking or on drugs. I was not going too fast for the trail we were on. My ATV was in good working order. I was not trying to show off. I was not sleepy or tired. I had not said the rednecks famous last words: “Hey, watch this”. My accident was just that. It could not had been stopped or lessened at all. The only way mine would not have happed would have been not to have gone in the 1st place.

... or just somehow hit that tree at a different angle!! Thats crazy, but you're right, just one of those things that can happen

Man that had to scare the day lights out of you. It can happen to anyone and I am glad your okay. Keep riding and having fun

I was flinching the next 2 days every time the rider in front of my flipped up a stick or i went over one.