Guardrail vs. 8: Guardrail Wins
Well, I hoped never to have to create a thread like this, but i smashed my 8. After paying my toll at Exit 9 Northbound on the NJ Turnpike I started going around the curve that leads to Rt 18 north. The road was wet from overnight rains and I wasn't going fast, since it was rush hour. Halfway around the curve, the rear end SHOOTS around and I'm out of control.
The 8 decided it liked the guardrail and aimed right for it. I smack into the guardrail not quite head on so no airbags deploy. But the front end is completely crunched. I hit so hard the driver's seat is loose on it's tracks. After the crash, I sit for a second to see how many of my body parts have come loose. Thankfully, the 8 is built like a tank and I don't have a scratch. I get out of my car and a lady who saw the crash had already pulled over and was walking to me, saying 'Sit down, you're hurt!". I'm like, "Um no, I'm ok". She says you can't possibly walk away from a crash like that - - - as I'm walking away from a crash like that. Fortunately, an NJ State trooper was right there at the time, saw what happened and knew i wasn't doing anything crazy. So, no tickets, no warnings, nothing. Not sure if the car is totaled, I'll know soon. I'm now driving a really cool rental car - the KIA Optima ;). I do not have DSC, don't know if it would have helped. For you picture vultures - I took pix, will post when I feel like it. Now back to my period of mourning. |
Sorry that happened. Even more sorry you have to drive a KIA.
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Ouch... If you are fully insured with witnesses you should be able to claim it as a one-vehicle accident with extenuating circumstances... I don't remember the process (My similar crash was over 5 years ago) but if I remember right, you can get statements from the witnesses (especially the cops!) and you should be able to get full compensation.
Then go buy an 06 or 05 with DSC! So sorry to hear what happened though, I cry inside to hear another 8 die. =( |
Originally Posted by Zaknel'il
and you should be able to get full compensation.
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did any airbags go off? (side? curtain?)
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Wow
I'm really glad you are okay and good luck with your car I think DSC would have definitely helped you well SAved you but again, all in all glad to hear you walked away without a scratch |
Four replies, and no one's asked if it's silver yet. I'm surprised.
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Sad to see an 8 bite the dust, hopefully you can score another one at a decent price.
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Originally Posted by VBprogrammer666
I do not have DSC, don't know if it would have helped.
Most of us that have it drive with at least the DSC off. Hold the DSC button for 10 seconds and it also disables the Traction Control too! When it is wet out I keep both on to counter act my foolishness! :) |
Originally Posted by Rootski
Four replies, and no one's asked if it's silver yet. I'm surprised.
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Thats hot
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That sucks so hard. At least YOU'RE all right.
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Originally Posted by NoTears316
Thats hot
BTW - Winning Blue, No Airbags deployed. We'll see how good my Insurance is when they finish appraising it. Remember, I live in NJ where insurance sucks big time. |
Sucks :(
It's good your ok though... |
Originally Posted by VBprogrammer666
Well, I hoped never to have to create a thread like this, but i smashed my 8. After paying my toll at Exit 9 Northbound on the NJ Turnpike I started going around the curve that leads to Rt 18 north. The road was wet from overnight rains and I wasn't going fast, since it was rush hour. Halfway around the curve, the rear end SHOOTS around and I'm out of control.
The 8 decided it liked the guardrail and aimed right for it. I smack into the guardrail not quite head on so no airbags deploy. But the front end is completely crunched. I hit so hard the driver's seat is loose on it's tracks. After the crash, I sit for a second to see how many of my body parts have come loose. Thankfully, the 8 is built like a tank and I don't have a scratch. I get out of my car and a lady who saw the crash had already pulled over and was walking to me, saying 'Sit down, you're hurt!". I'm like, "Um no, I'm ok". She says you can't possibly walk away from a crash like that - - - as I'm walking away from a crash like that. Fortunately, an NJ State trooper was right there at the time, saw what happened and knew i wasn't doing anything crazy. So, no tickets, no warnings, nothing. Not sure if the car is totaled, I'll know soon. I'm now driving a really cool rental car - the KIA Optima ;). I do not have DSC, don't know if it would have helped. For you picture vultures - I took pix, will post when I feel like it. Now back to my period of mourning. |
Ouch same thing happened to me cept it wasnt to bad. Crunched the bumper and the reinforcement, somehow the foglights survived as did the headlight. New bumper, new reinforcement rx8 good as new with no chassis damage. So i know exactly where you are coming from. Hopefully everything works out for you.
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oh damn, that sucks...like everyone said glad you walked out untouched!!! its a good thing our 8's are strong! DSC/Traction control is a huge plus I have it on my 8 and I love it!
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bad news friend.
enjoy the kia while you still have it. |
Sucks big time, guardrails have a way to F cars up. Hopefully your doesn't look like my friends DSM years ago in high school.
Notice how far in the wheel is..the left wheel is sticking about good foot out from the fender wells. Guardrail+curb moved the whole body inches over from the frame. http://pages.prodigy.net/devdgaw/rightrear.jpg Rain + being cut off + tire blowing out on the highway = OUCh! |
Man, that sucks... DSC *is* a lifesaver (_especially_ when it's wet)
When I see that light blink, I know it's saying, "well, I saved your dumb a** again!") I also (against the good & correct advice on this site) drove my car w/ stock tires in a light snow - I don't think I woulda made it out of my subdivision w/o DSC (the traction control part). Take care! |
Update:
Initial Insurance Appraisal - $12,178 The body shop is going to to go over it in fine detail to check for bent frame members and other stuff the initial insurance appraisal missed. I did notice that the engine cover won't fit because the grommets for the front of the cover have been pushed back at least 2 inches. So it looks like the whole engine compartment got squashed. Accident pix will be picked up tonite, so I should have some photos later in the evening. |
Wow, glad to hear you're ok. Did the estimate include fixing the seat? :) Good luck....
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Sorry, no pix yet.
Estimate is going to be revised by the body shop. They will be looking at the broken seat, engine compartment, bent frame members and that type of stuff when they have it on the lift. Thanks to all for your concern, may you all drive safely. Oh, and I was on Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S tires. I think the DSC would have helped as I have had time to consider the accident and what happened. |
I also have to vouch for the DSC. I was curious and wanted to test the tire traction in rain, so I went around a corner moderately fast, then punched the gas lightly on the way out. The instant I did that the back end suddenly swung out way more more than I expected it would. Must be the tires... DSC really saved me from spinning out that time. I won't lie, I've tested the limits every once in a while and I'd say there's a good chance that I'd be in this same situation if it weren't for DSC.
Anyways, glad you're OK and careful next time ;) |
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Wow. That u in the car. You look really young dood. Hope the insurance doesnt kill you on this...
Time |
The bra didn't help a whole lot...
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Originally Posted by time4akshun
Wow. That u in the car. You look really young dood. Hope the insurance doesnt kill you on this...
Time Ha ha...that's my 13 year old son. Wish i looked that young! |
Originally Posted by Xantium
The bra didn't help a whole lot...
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:Eyecrazy:
i know the exact spot! when i went to rutgers i would take turnpike exit but then to route 18 north, that whole section of road needs to be redesigned as soon as possible(hell they revamped the route 130 connection to route 1 before they touched that area.) i feel for ya man, glad you're alright. |
ouch hopefully you'll get your 8 back like it was or get into a different one soon without much financial loss.
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Oh man...your beautiful car. That just pains me. The important thing is that YOU are OK though. Hope you get back behind the wheel fast!
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OH man. As an owner of a WB myself, I cringed/cried for you big time.
I think it's amazing that on the smashed side, everything from the door back looks pretty straight. Sorry your 8 is jacked, but I'm glad you lived to tell the tale without injury. I hope for your sake that it's totaled. I don't think I would want it fixed from that kind of mess. |
Those pics are heartbreaking. I'm very sorry that happened to your 8. Hopefully, it will all get fixed up right.
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looks bad but my freind had a similar encounter and went down the hill...the 8 it totaled :( oh and his airbags did not go off either
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have you tried to start it? i wonder if the PCM is dead?
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wow, hope you/everyone is alright... and look at the best of this situation, new car!, did u have navigation?
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whats gonna happen to the car now?? insurance say it was a total loss?? If u want to i got dibs on the rims and tires....might as well make what you can.
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Car starts no problem. Auto body shop found some more damage than the original appraisal. I gues we're up to 14k in damage. They're still going to fix it.
After the work is done, I'm going to Mazda to do a complete check on the engine and mechanicals. If there's anything wrong, I'm going to submit that to the insurance company and have them fix it on their nickel. The body shop is being really cool and helpful and tolerating my constant questions. (County Line Auto Body in Howell.) Sorry to people who want parts, looks like that's not going to happen. Be safe everyone and thanks for all of the good wishes. |
Update: Car repair is still not complete. God I miss my car. I'm now driving a beater Intrepid with 113,000 miles on it until the 8 is fixed.
A bent cross member and broken engine mount was discovered last week by the body shop. Parts are being ordered. Not feeling too confident about getting my car back in pre-crash condition. This sucks. |
Why oh why won't the insurance people just write it off and cut you a cheque? $14K damage has to be at least 50% of the value. And they make $$$ back auctioning it off for salvage. I wouldn't want it back either! Good luck. You really need the DSC in northeast weather year round.
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Hope it feels the same to you when you finally get it back!
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Be sure to have the cf driveshaft inspected. Easily overlooked hidden damage spot.
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Originally Posted by Miker
Why oh why won't the insurance people just write it off and cut you a cheque? $14K damage has to be at least 50% of the value. And they make $$$ back auctioning it off for salvage. I wouldn't want it back either! Good luck. You really need the DSC in northeast weather year round.
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Per my wonderful insurance policy: They won't consider it totalled until the damages are equal to the actual cash value of the car. That's at least $20k. New Jersey sucks for auto insurance.
And thanks beachdog, I'll keep that in mind about the driveshaft. |
Originally Posted by lesper4
looks bad but my freind had a similar encounter and went down the hill...the 8 it totaled :( oh and his airbags did not go off either
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Originally Posted by vIce^gRip
DSC and Slip Control would have helped for the record...
Most of us that have it drive with at least the DSC off. not me. |
Originally Posted by VBprogrammer666
Update:
Initial Insurance Appraisal - $12,178 The body shop is going to to go over it in fine detail to check for bent frame members and other stuff the initial insurance appraisal missed. I did notice that the engine cover won't fit because the grommets for the front of the cover have been pushed back at least 2 inches. So it looks like the whole engine compartment got squashed. Accident pix will be picked up tonite, so I should have some photos later in the evening. |
also with that amount of damage you should seek diminished value damages as well.
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