For anyone who knew me and was interested

[2009BBPliftback]

holy crap I'm glad your on the road to recovery! How long were you trapped? i know how desolate some western PA roads can be. Be well fellow Pennsylvanian!

[redglare45]

Wow man, sad to see your car like that, but very glad you're alive. Hope you recover soon.

[tk-421]

Like everyone else, I am glad you survived this and hope your road to recovery is a short one.

[nemelek]

Events like yours make me realize how precious and special life is. I try not to take anything for granted.

[MadMax]

Man, you are lucky (or blessed) to be alive! That's a nasty looking wreck, and I concur with everyone who is glad that you made it through your accident alive!

I've had a few bad crashes myself, wrapped a Honda Accord hatchback around a utility pole top-first in Florida (it was on its side when we hit). That one bent the back of the driver's seat all the way behind the passenger seat.

Then I got hit head-on in a mid-80s BMW 3-Series (E30) by a Land Rover that slid into my lane on a wet downhill road in Germany. Spun us both around so badly that the Polizei couldn't figure out who was going which way. No skid marks because of the wet road, so no way to determine who was in the wrong. That car had no airbags or other safety devices, but it was built like a tank which saved my skin then.

Car accidents are no fun, I've had a few others in addition to the above. Luckily, I survived my youth and these days drive much slower and a lore more carefully! It is one reason I bought the Yaris, it’s fun to drive at reasonable speeds on the right road, and it handles well.

Still, everyone needs to be careful out there, especially those driving in bad weather. We’ve had too many reports of totalled Yarii and injured friends lately!

Again, it’s great to hear you survived; but next time just hit the damn racoon/skunk/whatever!

Cheers! M2

[Betrivent]

Originally Posted by MadMax

Man, you are lucky (or blessed) to be alive! That's a nasty looking wreck, and I concur with everyone who is glad that you made it through your accident alive!

I've had a few bad crashes myself, wrapped a Honda Accord hatchback around a utility pole top-first in Florida (it was on its side when we hit). That one bent the back of the driver's seat all the way behind the passenger seat.

Then I got hit head-on in a mid-80s BMW 3-Series (E30) by a Land Rover that slid into my lane on a wet downhill road in Germany. Spun us both around so badly that the Polizei couldn't figure out who was going which way. No skid marks because of the wet road, so no way to determine who was in the wrong. That car had no airbags or other safety devices, but it was built like a tank which saved my skin then.

Car accidents are no fun, I've had a few others in addition to the above. Luckily, I survived my youth and these days drive much slower and a lore more carefully! It is one reason I bought the Yaris, it’s fun to drive at reasonable speeds on the right road, and it handles well.

Still, everyone needs to be careful out there, especially those driving in bad weather. We’ve had too many reports of totalled Yarii and injured friends lately!

Again, it’s great to hear you survived; but next time just hit the damn racoon/skunk/whatever!

Cheers! M2

I'm curious, in the case of the BMW in Germany. Does it not make sense that you were going uphill on a wet slope and therefore are less likely to lose control than the guy coming downhill?

[Shinare]

Originally Posted by MadMax

...
Again, it’s great to hear you survived; but next time just hit the damn racoon/skunk/whatever!...

I've been in the same situation and did the same thing (without the crash) and its HARD to control that impulse to swerve to avoid the animal. I know police officers here have to take special emergency driving technique classes and that's one thing they work on. Getting you to stop avoiding small animals and just hit them.

[Betrivent]

I guess the hard part is sometime you don't know if it's a small animal or something really hard like a wheel or a block of cement.

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by Betrivent

I guess the hard part is sometime you don't know if it's a small animal or something really hard like a wheel or a block of cement.

I had that one last weekend - not sure what it was, but the car in front of me jinked sideways at the last minute, and I didn't have time to see what he was avoiding. Luckily, apart from a nasty noise, my snows'n'steelies appear OK. Was definitely harder than a raccoon...

Glad to hear you are still with us, sleey0. Sad to hear you are limited to an automatic transmission, though.

[SilverBack]

......

So glad to know you're still alive! Hope you recover quickly

[JetfireK]

Originally Posted by sleey0

here are some photos of my baby being totaled.

I had the car for about 3 months and spent a ton of money on it (looking at you, Garm lol).

Anyway, don't let anyone tell you that it isn't a safe vehicle. It saved my life and the airbags never deployed.

View at your own risk. I was like 7 to 10 days away from having a boosted Yaris and now I'm in a wheelchair.

Life is crazy and God sure does have a sense of humor!

Very glad that you survived this horrid auto wreck and hope that you will soon be well.
You said your air bags didn't open? Would you tell us why you think they did not open? Defective? You certainly were hit hard enough don't you think?
Thank you

[Carrot Top]

WOW...having an accident like that and surviving it would certainly change your outlook on life. You're obviously still meant to be here on earth! I wish for you a speedy recovery! It scares me to see the backend of the car smashed so badly, my kids sit back there all the time in my Yaris.

Thanks for posting the pictures and again I wish you the best in health!!

[auxmike]

Will you have the option for an artificial limb?
I hope you heal quickly and can drive again soon....

[MadMax]

Originally Posted by Betrivent

I'm curious, in the case of the BMW in Germany. Does it not make sense that you were going uphill on a wet slope and therefore are less likely to lose control than the guy coming downhill?

To me it does, but a major fact that I forgot to mention was that this also happened on a curve. The Land Rover was coming downhill and on the inside of the lane when he hydroplaned into my lane (outside and going uphill). That is also why we both ended up in the ditch, and he pretty much went head-on into the front left corner of my poor Beemer (I loved that car!). Plus, he was going too fast for conditions (wet, icy road) but in the end the Polizei could not determine fault (he claimed I was in his lane, which simply wasn't true!).

Originally Posted by Shinare

I've been in the same situation and did the same thing (without the crash) and its HARD to control that impulse to swerve to avoid the animal. I know police officers here have to take special emergency driving technique classes and that's one thing they work on. Getting you to stop avoiding small animals and just hit them.

Trust me, I understand and have done the same! A long time ago when I was first driving, I went off the road trying to avoid a squirrel. I ended up tearing the crap out of some guy's front yard, but I was lucky enough to get the car back on the road (and it was more luck than skill!).

Originally Posted by auxmike

Will you have the option for an artificial limb?
I hope you heal quickly and can drive again soon....

I get over to Ft Sam Houston a lot, where many servicemembers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan come for treatment (Brook Army Medical Center). It is amazing to see what those guys can do with their prostheses, most are as mobile and capable as anyone. It is truly awesome and I have the utmost respect for these outstanding individuals!

Again, all the best with your recovery. Your attitude is very impressive, and I am sure you won't let any obstacle stand in your way!

Cheers! M2

[DandiDani]

I am very sorry, and I wish you a fast recovery. Good luck to you.

[custom Lftback]

Wow. So glad to hear you are alive and staying positive. I hope that you continue to be a part of our community on YW and MI. But that was one really bad wreck.

[Hershey]

So sorry to see of your accident and hope you have better days ahead . Best of luck .

[kou]

Your three stock tires needed replacing and what is that a random snow tire on the rear drivers side.Sorry just needed to point that out,would have made all the difference.