Zack Courts Recounts Terrifying Highside Crash in Spain

The Crash Incident

• 💥 Zack Courts details his highside crash at the KTM 990 RC R press launch in Seville, Spain.
• 🤕 He experienced a C7 vertebrae fracture, a broken right ankle, cracked ribs, and a sprained left ankle after losing the rear end in a third-gear corner.
• 🏥 Following the crash, he was transported to a Spanish hospital and later returned home for surgery.

Navigating Healthcare Abroad

• 🌍 Zack discusses the experience of being in a foreign hospital, noting that while the Spanish hospital was clean and staff were helpful, the situation is overwhelming regardless of language.
• 💰 He highlights the surprisingly low cost of his hospital stay in Spain, around $10,000 for three days in ICU and two days of hospital care, compared to potential US costs.
• ✈️ Decisions about undergoing surgery abroad versus returning home were complex, with Zack ultimately opting for surgery in Los Angeles, though this delayed the procedure.

Recovery and Gear Performance

• 🦴 Zack's broken ankle involved the talus bone, which has concerns regarding blood flow and healing, potentially leading to severe outcomes like bone death or the need for fusion/replacement surgery.
• 🛡️ He emphasizes the importance of his Alpine Stars Tech 7X airbag vest, custom race suit, and boots, believing they significantly mitigated his injuries, despite the severity of the crash.
• 🧠 The mental toll of recovery is significant, compounded by the uncertainty of healing and the potential for long-term impacts on his athletic identity.

Lessons Learned and Future Outlook

• 🤔 Zack encourages motorcyclists to consider the potential risks and consequences of their riding, not just the joy, and to ask themselves how they would feel if something went wrong.
• 🤝 He stresses the importance of having a support system, including friends, family, and colleagues, when facing such incidents.
• 📈 While the exact cause of the crash remains unclear, Zack is focused on recovery and hopes his experience, including data from his airbag, can help others learn and mitigate risks.

Motorcycle Policy and Community

• 📉 Concerns are raised about the trend of racetracks eliminating public motorcycle track days, impacting the sport and community.
• 🌱 The importance of bringing new riders into motorcycling through initiatives like 'Moto Intro Days' is highlighted to ensure the sport's future.
• ❓ Zack poses questions to moto-curious listeners about what barriers prevent them from riding, seeking to address these concerns.