Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
No way, AR...insurance will cover it...it was an a-c-c-i-d-e-n-t.
You drive,,,,,,,you panic,,,,,,,you loose
- Thread starter airjames
- Start date
White95Max
New member
AR I know how you feel. In February and May of 2002, I was involved in two accidents with my car. Both accidents were determined to be partially the fault of both drivers, but I was still furious at myself for not properly avoiding the accidents.
The first one, I told myself, could have easily been avoided if I would not have been driving next to another car around a curve on the freeway. The other car hit some ice and slid into me. To make it worse, we both went sliding off the freeway at 70mph. We both got a ticket for "failure to control your vehicle", and we both blew out a tire when we hit the curb.
Shown below is the damage from that accident.
In May of 2002, I detailed my car (or what I considered detailing back then) and headed down to a Maxima.org meet for the day. It was held in a town a good hour from where I lived, so I was unfamiliar with the area.
After the meet, and about 3 blocks away from it (most people were still there), I came to a 2 way stop / 2 way yield intersection, which I had never seen before. I took a quick glance, thinking that it was a 4-way stop intersection, saw another car coming up to the "stop" sign, and proceeded across the intersection. Well I looked to my left and saw a Sebring coming straight for me. He slammed into my car, causing the other damage, seen below.
Both of these accidents caused me to be extremely angry at myself for several days afterward. And of course the accidents definitely did not help my insurance rates either. I continue to be frustrated, if not angry, everytime I detail the car and see the damage. I did not get them fixed for a few reasons, but one of them was for them to serve as a constant reminder to me that I should be a more defensive driver. Both of those accidents--and insurance rate hikes--could have been avoided had I been a more defensive driver.
Your accident will only make you a better driver. You had a valuable (but expensive) experience that gave you knowledge of how a vehicle can react to different situations.
Don't worry about the accident. Vehicles can be fixed, and life goes on.
The first one, I told myself, could have easily been avoided if I would not have been driving next to another car around a curve on the freeway. The other car hit some ice and slid into me. To make it worse, we both went sliding off the freeway at 70mph. We both got a ticket for "failure to control your vehicle", and we both blew out a tire when we hit the curb.
Shown below is the damage from that accident.
In May of 2002, I detailed my car (or what I considered detailing back then) and headed down to a Maxima.org meet for the day. It was held in a town a good hour from where I lived, so I was unfamiliar with the area.
After the meet, and about 3 blocks away from it (most people were still there), I came to a 2 way stop / 2 way yield intersection, which I had never seen before. I took a quick glance, thinking that it was a 4-way stop intersection, saw another car coming up to the "stop" sign, and proceeded across the intersection. Well I looked to my left and saw a Sebring coming straight for me. He slammed into my car, causing the other damage, seen below.
Both of these accidents caused me to be extremely angry at myself for several days afterward. And of course the accidents definitely did not help my insurance rates either. I continue to be frustrated, if not angry, everytime I detail the car and see the damage. I did not get them fixed for a few reasons, but one of them was for them to serve as a constant reminder to me that I should be a more defensive driver. Both of those accidents--and insurance rate hikes--could have been avoided had I been a more defensive driver.
Your accident will only make you a better driver. You had a valuable (but expensive) experience that gave you knowledge of how a vehicle can react to different situations.
Don't worry about the accident. Vehicles can be fixed, and life goes on.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
Scary one, Mosca!
Thomas Dekany
New member
I really wish that we could turn back time for you, but looking at the pictures (snow) and going 35mph in a 35mph zone was your only fault. Just slow down next time.
Yesterday while we only got 1" of snow, by the afternoon it was getting pretty slick on the roads so I drove slower then speed limit. you should have seen the mean looks I received from adult men/women for not speeding as they passed me.
People are fricking crazy around here,
There, I said it!
No amount special driving school will save your a$$ if you don't slow down in rain or snow.
m2c
I am really sorry that it happened to you. You will feel a little better tomorrow.
Yesterday while we only got 1" of snow, by the afternoon it was getting pretty slick on the roads so I drove slower then speed limit. you should have seen the mean looks I received from adult men/women for not speeding as they passed me.
People are fricking crazy around here,
There, I said it!
No amount special driving school will save your a$$ if you don't slow down in rain or snow.
m2c
I am really sorry that it happened to you. You will feel a little better tomorrow.
Sorry to hear about your accident, and I hope you understand my earlier comments. Like everyone else has already said, feel blessed that nobody was hurt and remember, that's what insurance is for. I know how you feel as I've been in my share of fender-benders (maybe more than my share 
) but I find you'll get over it when you start to realize how much better off you are than the majority of the people in this world. And please everyone slow down in the snow before you are the next to learn this lesson. It took me doing a 540 on the Mass Pike doing 60 before I learned mine.
) but I find you'll get over it when you start to realize how much better off you are than the majority of the people in this world. And please everyone slow down in the snow before you are the next to learn this lesson. It took me doing a 540 on the Mass Pike doing 60 before I learned mine.One thing that really irritates me. I hit a patch of ice before I hit the brakes on my truck. Now, when it comes to ice you can't control a vehicle I don't care what it is. Yet the officer cited me for "failure to control" I thought at first this was garbage and I told my Dad about it since I was having 2nd thoughts. Well all business no pleasure. He tells me I was going too fast for the conditions. I was doing 30mph in a 35mph zone. Even before I hit the ice my truck felt pretty solid against the road.
So dad sits there and tells me I was traveling too fast of a selected speed therefore why I got cited and he also tells me I should've slowed. Well how the I to know that were was ice up there?? The conditions on the roads overall were good for ice but just as well. I didn't even see the ice. Someone please straighten me out This is still nuts,,,,,,,AR
So dad sits there and tells me I was traveling too fast of a selected speed therefore why I got cited and he also tells me I should've slowed. Well how the I to know that were was ice up there?? The conditions on the roads overall were good for ice but just as well. I didn't even see the ice. Someone please straighten me out This is still nuts,,,,,,,AR
Thomas Dekany
New member
Airborne Ranger said:One thing that really irritates me. I hit a patch of ice before I hit the brakes on my truck. Now, when it comes to ice you can't control a vehicle I don't care what it is. Yet the officer cited me for "failure to control" I thought at first this was garbage and I told my Dad about it since I was having 2nd thoughts. Well all business no pleasure. He tells me I was going too fast for the conditions. I was doing 30mph in a 35mph zone. Even before I hit the ice my truck felt pretty solid against the road.
So dad sits there and tells me I was traveling too fast of a selected speed therefore why I got cited and he also tells me I should've slowed. Well how the I to know that were was ice up there?? The conditions on the roads overall were good for ice but just as well. I didn't even see the ice. Someone please straighten me out This is still nuts,,,,,,,AR
You sound fairly young so if our comments didn't work you may want to run around the neighbourhood a few times. Sorry your dad is right.
Just try letting it go man. Others have real problems. Don't ask for those. Just be greatful that only your ford got banged up. I magine if you lost your legs in the accident. You would give your life to be in your shoes.
Thomas Dekany
New member
Airborne Ranger said:
Do you know some claim that we create our own reality by our thoughts?
Did I read that right in that you said the conditions were right for ice? Then your dad is absolutely right, you were going too fast for the conditions. Just because there is a white or yellow sign that says the speed limit does not mean your speedometer has to be pointing at that speed. I slow down in rain because I know the risk of hydroplaning exists, and 1 mph can be the difference between maintaining contact with the road and hydroplaning (I know it is different from hitting ice but I can still make my point).
I'm serious that you should look into a car control course. It may even help on ice as you never know what your vehicle will do and when your tires will suddenly grip. It can be surprising as hell for you to be skidding and have your tires gain traction, only to send the car in a completely different direction.
I'm serious that you should look into a car control course. It may even help on ice as you never know what your vehicle will do and when your tires will suddenly grip. It can be surprising as hell for you to be skidding and have your tires gain traction, only to send the car in a completely different direction.
White95Max
New member
My way of learning that stuff is to just go to a large empty parking lot (with no light poles) after it snows, and slide around on the snow/ice. You get a good feel for how the car reacts, and how to correct it. If you think you're good at correcting it, pull the E-brake (assuming your E-brake is next to the shifter and not on the floor). After you pull the E-brake, try to correct your slide to continue your original/intended path.
I practice this a lot so I'm ready to react in an emergency situation, rather than panic, I'll know how to fix the situation.
Since you were sliding on ice, there's very little you can do.
I practice this a lot so I'm ready to react in an emergency situation, rather than panic, I'll know how to fix the situation.
Since you were sliding on ice, there's very little you can do.
White95Max said:
I do this with every new car I get. It has saved me many times. I also did this in the spring on my motorcycle to see how my bike would act after the break locked up. Also just doing hard breaking. It saved my life a few times.
Sorry to hear about your accident AR. It could have been way worse. Not that you want to hear it but your father was right.
I have been in your spot before. I was always good at avoiding things and didn't panic. Well this one time 8 years ago I did it. I looked to the side, then looked ahead. A truck was a head of me and then it the next thing I know I'm coming up on it really fast. I panicked and slamed on the breaks. This extended my braking distance and put me under the bumper. His brake lights were not working. So I hit the truck because of three reasons. 1. I took my eyes off the road for a few seconds. 2. I panicked And 3. His brake lights were out. But if I took care of 1 and 2 then 3 wouldn't matter.
Glad your ok. :xyxthumbs
James
When I was younger, I got into an incident with my father's car. I was coming back home from driving my mother around and I was coming around a sharp curve at 5 mph. When I exited the curve, the car started to break control because it hit a patch of black ice. Luckily, I only damaged a $110 foglight (paid for it out of my own pocket). The point is that things happen and there is no need for you to beat yourself up over it.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
White95Max said:
This is really good advice. I did plenty of this, including learning how to counter-steer in fishtails...I don't even know if I remember how to do that it's been so long since I've had to....
Prinz--Ouch! Father's car! :doh
BoxsterCharlie
New member
I wasn't really your fault. A true bone-headed accident is something like spilling your coffee and getting distracted and running into a pole. Anyway, I doubt you were running winter tires and there is only some much they could have done for you anyway. Ice is ice.
Accumulator
Well-known member
A few random thoughts related to this thread follow, none of which should be interpreted as being :nono I wrecked more than a few cars when I was younger and lucked out many, many more times. I'm certainly lucky to even be here in basically undamaged condition. Finally got serious about having a handle on this stuff back when I was in my thirties and I shouldn't have waited so long. I'll risk sounding like a know-it-all in the hope that somebody might benefit from my experiences.
-Good car-control classes really are of great value. I've taken *weeks* of driver's training and every minute was well-spent. My wife, who did it too, feels the same way and I *know* I don't have to worry about her when she's on the road. Beaverun (see link below) is in SW PA and is pretty affordable.
-Even with the proper training, when those "oh-[crap]" moments happen you instantly get nailed by adrenalin, which is some powerful stuff. The *only* way to handle this, and make it work *for* you, (unless you're born *different*, and some people are) is to have extensive adrenal stress conditioning. Not especially pleasant, at least at first, but invaluable. If not for this conditioning my wife and I honestly believe that the "deer incident" would have resulted in death or serious injury instead of minor cosmetic damage.
For general A-S conditioning you can't beat RAMCAT (it's about *much* more than just fighting
) and once you get a general handle on your adrenal response there are driver's courses that build on it, such as the "Security Driver" courses at Beaverun . Yeah, I know this stuff isn't cheap, but it saves lives- it saved ours. The more you sweat in training the less you bleed in the real world. And again, my wife found this stuff just as valuable as I did, maybe more so. We took our 16 year old nephew to RAMCAT and probably changed his life.
-There are tires that provide incredible grip on glare ice. Blizzaks and similar "ice compound" tires will give more control that you'd ever believe. They're tested on ice rinks; they do work on ice. Even our AWD cars get 'em. Less expensive than our insurance deductible. But yeah, if you're over the line nothing will save you. Knowing how close to the line you oughta skate is a matter of experience, better gained in controlled conditions- hence the need for training.
Some of the people we've met in training have made incredible sacrifices to be able to afford it. There can be moments in life when you'd do/pay *anything* to go back in time a few minutes and do things over....a few thousand dollars suddenly doesn't seem quite so important. Guys often think they are/should be "born competent" at a lot of things, but the truth is that such competence has to be learned.
-Good car-control classes really are of great value. I've taken *weeks* of driver's training and every minute was well-spent. My wife, who did it too, feels the same way and I *know* I don't have to worry about her when she's on the road. Beaverun (see link below) is in SW PA and is pretty affordable.
-Even with the proper training, when those "oh-[crap]" moments happen you instantly get nailed by adrenalin, which is some powerful stuff. The *only* way to handle this, and make it work *for* you, (unless you're born *different*, and some people are) is to have extensive adrenal stress conditioning. Not especially pleasant, at least at first, but invaluable. If not for this conditioning my wife and I honestly believe that the "deer incident" would have resulted in death or serious injury instead of minor cosmetic damage.
For general A-S conditioning you can't beat RAMCAT (it's about *much* more than just fighting
) and once you get a general handle on your adrenal response there are driver's courses that build on it, such as the "Security Driver" courses at Beaverun . Yeah, I know this stuff isn't cheap, but it saves lives- it saved ours. The more you sweat in training the less you bleed in the real world. And again, my wife found this stuff just as valuable as I did, maybe more so. We took our 16 year old nephew to RAMCAT and probably changed his life.-There are tires that provide incredible grip on glare ice. Blizzaks and similar "ice compound" tires will give more control that you'd ever believe. They're tested on ice rinks; they do work on ice. Even our AWD cars get 'em. Less expensive than our insurance deductible. But yeah, if you're over the line nothing will save you. Knowing how close to the line you oughta skate is a matter of experience, better gained in controlled conditions- hence the need for training.
Some of the people we've met in training have made incredible sacrifices to be able to afford it. There can be moments in life when you'd do/pay *anything* to go back in time a few minutes and do things over....a few thousand dollars suddenly doesn't seem quite so important. Guys often think they are/should be "born competent" at a lot of things, but the truth is that such competence has to be learned.
Thanks everyone:xyxthumbs I've been feeling alot better since this accident and not being so hard on myself lately. So I do appreciate it that everyone understands where I'm coming from:up
Update: I've made some progress by making alot of phone calls and was able to get a rental. It'll be a Ford Taurus. Not sure at this point what year it is but I suspect it'll be a 2001-2002 or some late model Taurus. Least it's wheels you know. My dad had the truck towed to Fitzgeralds Body Shop here in town. I don't know why he did that from Ford but I'll talk to him later tonight after he gets off work. As far as my tranny goes, I don't know if it's fried for sure or it just puked out some fluid after I wrecked. I'll keep everyone posted of happening events. Thanks again for understanding,,,,,,,AR
Update: I've made some progress by making alot of phone calls and was able to get a rental. It'll be a Ford Taurus. Not sure at this point what year it is but I suspect it'll be a 2001-2002 or some late model Taurus. Least it's wheels you know. My dad had the truck towed to Fitzgeralds Body Shop here in town. I don't know why he did that from Ford but I'll talk to him later tonight after he gets off work. As far as my tranny goes, I don't know if it's fried for sure or it just puked out some fluid after I wrecked. I'll keep everyone posted of happening events. Thanks again for understanding,,,,,,,AR