Just got in Car accident

[michaelbehlen]

Hey guys. Im realtivly new to the forum, but have posted some stuff the last two months or so. BUt I just wanted to let everyone know of a mircale that happened last night/

I was going 80mph down a country road, lost control because I over corrected a lane adjustment and then over over corrected that, which sent my car sideways into a pole, which I broke in half, and flipped 4 times across 80-100 yards. I was out cold for about 10 minutes before someone came to me and found me. Heres the setup:

-Windshield is 3 inches from my face, smashed in, the glove box is rightnear my right leg, about 8 inches, my tunk is non-exsistant, and my car's nose is barely recognizaible. However, the whole drivers side was barely not touched. Everything was right near me, but I was awake and consous. I was pinned by the steerling wheel but that was it.

The man who called the EMTs said there was a death, there was no way I was alive. I asked to him to call my dad.

THe EMTs show up, unpin me, and I WALK away. I walk to the EMT truck and get into it by myself.

At the hosipital,
I got a CAT scan and x-rays. I hace ZERO broken bones and nothing wrong with my head.(I got knocked out by hitting my head on the wheel).


THE GOOD NEWS: Photoshoot of the car I just totaled, its happening on saturday. Ill post some pics.

THE BAD NEWS: MY airbags did not deploy/ Does anyone have any info on legal aspects of this. (I have a '03 Honda Accord 4-Door).

ps: If you are not a christain, please just skip over this part, I do not wish to offend anyone(non-christains)

So basicly, God said it wasn't my time to go, and I think he has some big plans for my life. And He put a shield around me last night, he didn't let anything happen to me. I wasn't doing to good in my walk of faith the last month or so, this has defantly brought me closer to the Lord.

[Woolburr]

Because you went sideways...the airbag sensors didn't call for the airbags to deploy. The airbags in that particular car were only designed to deploy in a frontal/head-on impact. If the car didn't receive enough force in that direction, the airbags would not deploy. It requires an impact equivalent of 14mph head-on to cause normal airbag operation.

From the sounds of things, you were very lucky. I think you should smile and enjoy your good fortune....perhaps even buy a lottery ticket or two!

[neil_r]

I was going 80mph down a country road, lost control because I over corrected a lane adjustment and then over over corrected that,....

THE BAD NEWS: MY airbags did not deploy/ Does anyone have any info on legal aspects of this. (I have a '03 Honda Accord 4-Door).



Your speed and quality of driving should negate any claim you have against the no deployment of the airbag ;-)

(Glad you are OK)

[joegolf68]

So basically, God said it wasn't my time to go, and I think he has some big plans for my life. And He put a shield around me last night, he didn't let anything happen to me. I wasn't doing to good in my walk of faith the last month or so, this has defiantly brought me closer to the Lord.

God should have taught you not to drive so fast and recklessly in the first place. I am glad you are ok. I assume you are under 22 yoa and wanted to go out and get some FAST on.

After 30 years in the fire department, I learned just how kids so often outdrive their capabilities. Just a fact, kids have the best eyes, reflexes, everything but brains... well, experience. Lesson learned I hop and thank goodness you didn't die, or worse, kill someone else.

I'm glad you feel strong in your faith, something that provides comfort and hopefully a better person comes out of this... well, you might be a great person, so I will say let's hope this produces a safer and better driver. 50,000 deaths a year on our roads is way too much of a waste. Peace.

[Pete]

Woah! You are very very fortunate to have walked away from that. I'm glad you're still around as I love your current work.

I'm sure you're seeing a whole different side to your life, and your faith now.

[kevin_c]

Glad you're OK, but I have to go along with some of the comments here about speed, particularly from joegolf68.
I'm sure we've all 'been there' and got away with it in the past, so it's not as if we are all perfect, but sometimes we have to learn from mistakes and be slightly more sensible in the future.

I do find it a bit ironic that one of the first things you are asking is "MY airbags did not deploy/ Does anyone have any info on legal aspects of this"...

I'd just be glad to get out alive...;) :)

Look forward to the pics

[rklepper]

Glad you are okay, but please think long and hard about these things: In the US reckless driving negates liabilities of any other party. How could they be liable when you did not use the car in the manner intended and also not within the legally defined uses of the car. Also, as stated previously, airbags are not designed for side impoact, unless your car is specifically built with side impact air bags. Also, if you were closer to the Lord you would not even be thinking of how to profit from your recklessly violating the law.

[JimAskew]

Thank goodness you are unhurt...it souds like a most horrific crash. Over correcting at 80 MPH is an invitation for a roll over...as you have found out. The lesson you should learn here is that 80 MPH is illegal and speed limits are posted for a reason. You are a lucky guy...learn from this!

[Guineh]

Well, all I can say is thankfully you're okay, and consider yourself lucky.

Please use this experience as a lesson. Learn from it, that would be the best you could ever hope to get out of it.

[GilesGuthrie]

Just make sure you use this accident as a lesson to make you a better driver in future.

I too have destroyed a car in a shunt that should have killed me. You take these things forward and use them to make you a better driver.

[rhys]

Speed limits are there because the government decided that driving above them - in perfect conditions - is too dangerous for that piece of road. What would have been the result if you'd rounded a curve at 80mph and found a child in the road? That child would have been mincemeat. In icy, snowy, rainy or in the dark, the speed limit is probably going to be far too fast for that piece of road.

It's not a case of my lecturing you on driving within your abilities but on driving with a safety margin given current conditions and posted speed limits. There's no shame in driving safely. I always try to be a better driver than anybody else on the road.

[surfologist]

Man... glad to hear you are ok!!

Stay safe and keep shooting

[led hed]

SLOW DOWN.......please.

who does 80 mph on a country road anyway? hopefully u learned.

glad u r okay :)

[NetDep]

You have gotten some good answers to the question. As Woolburr said - the air bag sensors (depending on the car) are located front/rear. They are engaged (and most effective) in frontal/rear end crashes. Also, depending on the car, they deploy at different speeds - the Ford Crown Victoria (which I have the most experience with) takes about 25-28 mph front/rear end collision to deploy the airbags. Because of the dynamics of the crash as you describe - no front/rear end involvement - only side impact against a fixed object which would not "trigger" the airbag. Airbags are not magic and are best used in the manner they were designed for - frontal/rear end crashes. The fact you survived the crash (that you had to be unpinned tells me you were wearing your lap/shoulder belt) speaks well of the design of the car and the safety features you had -- good lap/shoulder belts and good compartment design.

You did not have an "accident." (Law. such a happening resulting in injury that is in no way the fault of the injured person for which compensation or indemnity is legally sought.) Accidents can't be prevented - you crashed. There were several points at which this crash - potentially fatal - could have been prevented. You have been preached to enough - glad you are alright - and more glad no one else was injured or killed in this crash.

Drive safe - live to photograph another day!!

[Dante King]

Hey guys. Im realtivly new to the forum, but have posted some stuff the last two months or so. BUt I just wanted to let everyone know of a mircale that happened last night/

I was going 80mph down a country road, lost control because I over corrected a lane adjustment and then over over corrected that, which sent my car sideways into a pole, which I broke in half, and flipped 4 times across 80-100 yards. I was out cold for about 10 minutes before someone came to me and found me. Heres the setup:

-Windshield is 3 inches from my face, smashed in, the glove box is rightnear my right leg, about 8 inches, my tunk is non-exsistant, and my car's nose is barely recognizaible. However, the whole drivers side was barely not touched. Everything was right near me, but I was awake and consous. I was pinned by the steerling wheel but that was it.

The man who called the EMTs said there was a death, there was no way I was alive. I asked to him to call my dad.

THe EMTs show up, unpin me, and I WALK away. I walk to the EMT truck and get into it by myself.

At the hosipital,
I got a CAT scan and x-rays. I hace ZERO broken bones and nothing wrong with my head.(I got knocked out by hitting my head on the wheel).


THE GOOD NEWS: Photoshoot of the car I just totaled, its happening on saturday. Ill post some pics.

THE BAD NEWS: MY airbags did not deploy/ Does anyone have any info on legal aspects of this. (I have a '03 Honda Accord 4-Door).

ps: If you are not a christain, please just skip over this part, I do not wish to offend anyone(non-christains)

So basicly, God said it wasn't my time to go, and I think he has some big plans for my life. And He put a shield around me last night, he didn't let anything happen to me. I wasn't doing to good in my walk of faith the last month or so, this has defantly brought me closer to the Lord.

I am a christian. You are lucky.

Now why the hell are you looking into legal matters because your airbag did not deply? Would it save your car? would it have saved you form injuries? Oh, yeah you walked away. People like you are driving up the costs of everything with a blame others cuz you could not handle your car. Your life was just spared by the grace of God and you want to look into a law suit. you make me want to puke. dont sue, dont speed. Yikes. I hope you are 70 years old, because if you are the youth of today we are doomed. I would really liek to tell you how I feel, but you are not worth getting banned over. Some christian you are.

[BorkaP]

^^ I wanted to say it, but I am new here so I'll just agree.

[JaGWiRE]

I'm glad your okay.
I do want to know, why did you post this? Not to be a dick, but with the info you gave us, you couldn't expect to get friendly responses.

[surfologist]

I would like to see the pics when you get them.
Flipping that much after going 80 would make some cool photos.

I didnt want to be the first, but now that it has been mentioned, slow down!!
I do that fast when im on good roads, but country roads... i did 90 the other day on a road with potholes and dips, and even in a mercedes, it was scary. country roads are bad to speed on. be careful homes!

[KevC]

Wow. Awesome story! That's amazing that you survived. Now chalk it up to experience, and improve your driving technique (aka don't speed like a bat out of hell unless you're extremely confident you and your vehicle can handle it!)

[DocFrankenstein]

What the hell was the guy doing reporting a dead person? I'd be pissed at HIM - the ambulances don't rush as fast to put a guy in a bag.

Glad you're ok - but I wanna see the pictures.

[Woolburr]

What the hell was the guy doing reporting a dead person? I'd be pissed at HIM - the ambulances don't rush as fast to put a guy in a bag.

Glad you're ok - but I wanna see the pictures.

There is no requirement for the general public to act as coroner. It doesn't matter if Joe Blow on the street reports the person as deceased or not. The response by emergency personnel is the same either way. They always respond to emergency situations as expeditiously as possible...and always bearing in mind that untrained persons reporting an incident have no idea how severe a situation is or isn't.

[chr15b]

I would like to see the pics when you get them.
Flipping that much after going 80 would make some cool photos.

I didnt want to be the first, but now that it has been mentioned, slow down!!
I do that fast when im on good roads, but country roads... i did 90 the other day on a road with potholes and dips, and even in a mercedes, it was scary. country roads are bad to speed on. be careful homes!
isnt that advice a bit hypocritical?

[michaelbehlen]

The reason why I posted this wasnt for legal aspects. I was just curiuos, as I dont know anything about airbags, or the aspects of them, the information was appreciated it. I was not thinking or prusing legal action, just wondering.

Secondly. I was a stupid kid driving to fast to get home and study. I got lost in the country after dropping my sister off somewhere(thank god she wasn't in the car). I drove 20 minutes in the wrong way, and realized I had finals yesterday, so I booked it home. That was a really big mistake that God as forgiven me for, and I am extremly fourtante to be alive.

I wanted to post this to show that God does forgive us for things, and that he is there for our protection, and mircales do happen. I posted this for all postitive reasons.

I hope this shows others that driving this fast is not ok, especially in unfavorable conditions. Thanks for everyone's responces.

[steved110]

^^^ good answer, especially considering all the flames. Bless you, and glad you are safe, and that you kept yourself out of the Darwin Awards.

Please don't post pictures of the wreck - the interest in that is probably not healthy - like all the rubber neckers who slow up to see a crash....and almost cause a new one by not watching where they are going. we all know you were lucky.

[SuzyView]

I am glad you are okay as well, but 80 mph is really faster than you should have been going. Your angel must have been working overtime. Take this as a sign you need to work on your driving skills and work harder to live more meaningfully. And suing people is harsh. Save your money, if you were going as fast as you said you were, the car manufacturer's lawyers will have you for lunch. :)

[Radtech1]

You have a PM

[johnnybfan]

I am a christian. You are lucky.

Now why the hell are you looking into legal matters because your airbag did not deply? Would it save your car? would it have saved you form injuries? Oh, yeah you walked away. People like you are driving up the costs of everything with a blame others cuz you could not handle your car. Your life was just spared by the grace of God and you want to look into a law suit. you make me want to puke. dont sue, dont speed. Yikes. I hope you are 70 years old, because if you are the youth of today we are doomed. I would really liek to tell you how I feel, but you are not worth getting banned over. Some christian you are.

Dante, you make some great points. I am also a Christian. I also know that I am not perfect, I AM a sinner. I make mistakes. I am human. So I agree that there is no way that he should be looking into liabilities. But he is human and a sinner just like you and me. So I understand the urge to look at them. This is a situation where he should be on his knees giving thanks to God for His almighty grace.
Thank God that you were not hurt. Use this experience to learn that 80 mph on a country road is not a very smart thing to do. I am guilty of speeding fairly often (just about every day:oops::oops:) but I only get up near 80 when I am on an expressway (speed limit 70 mph) and they are designed for more speed than a country road.
Anyway, I'm glad that you walked away unhurt. Please learn from it.

[timbernet]

I think that if your airbags DID deploy, you would be looking at more damage to your body... those things pack a bunch!

[Anthony J Howe]

It was the airbag that saved my life in a horrific car accident, that left me with broken bones and multiple injuries, the head and chest was saved by the bag from receiving punctures to the heart and lungs and leaving me a cabbage.
The idiot was a 27 year old who was speeding at 70 MPH on a 30 MPH stretch of road on my side of the road. He came around a bend and I stood no chance, I didnt even have the chance to brake because he came from nowhere like a bullet. I was in intensive care for 17 weeks and the first 3 weeks of that in a coma. The lad had no insurance and I fought for 6 years to get compensation.
It really upsets me when I see people passing in their vehicles speeding, if only they know what's it like to be in a horrific crash, I hope you learn very quick from this accident and NEVER speed again.

[steved110]

Wow Anthony, that's a terrible story. People tend to forget that bad things can happen to any one - you tend to think it will never be me.

Knowing the UK propensity for turning a blind eye to criminality, I suppose the other driver got some derisory slap on the wrist.

[Anthony J Howe]

Wow Anthony, that's a terrible story. People tend to forget that bad things can happen to any one - you tend to think it will never be me.

Knowing the UK propensity for turning a blind eye to criminality, I suppose the other driver got some derisory slap on the wrist.
Right on the nail with this comment Steve.
He came out of the accident with one broken arm and left hospital after 4 days mainly for check-up's. He denied all knowledge of being on the wrong side and the police didn't prosecute him because there was no hard evidence of being on the wrong side has he's vehicle careered off span round in the air to the other side ending up on it's side. Though there was much debris etc on my side of the road.
However after 6 years I was completely exonerated through the courts but the police did not touch this lad and gave him a stiff warning about no insurance.

[rhys]

Right on the nail with this comment Steve.
He came out of the accident with one broken arm and left hospital after 4 days mainly for check-up's. He denied all knowledge of being on the wrong side and the police didn't prosecute him because there was no hard evidence of being on the wrong side has he's vehicle careered off span round in the air to the other side ending up on it's side. Though there was much debris etc on my side of the road.
However after 6 years I was completely exonerated through the courts but the police did not touch this lad and gave him a stiff warning about no insurance.

That sounds typical of the UK police. Always on the side of the criminal.

I was crossing the street as a child and was knocked down by a motorist who was both speeding and on the wrong side of the road. Prosecution should have been automatic. They did nothing. Fortunately I came out of it with only severe concussion and 3 weeks in hospital then 3 months at home with home schooling.

I was involved in a couple of car accidents also in which the police should have prosecuted the other driver but did nothing. Fortunately they were not serious accidents.

The problem is that the motoring organisations make wails of complaint when the police actually catch bad drivers and fine them via speed traps etc. The police get no breaks from the motoring organisations and the motoring organisations make no attempt to get their members to slow down.

I like to think of myself as a tolerably good driver. Having said that I never feel that I'm the best even though I always endeavour to be tolerant, observant and obeyant of speed limits/traffic signs and road conditions. I have noticed that about 80% of drivers are reasonably good. 10% are extremely good and 10% are extremely bad. I saw no end of fatalities on the main road outside my house in Britain. People - always youngsters - would speed and go off on bends with the car sailing through the air to the field so 20 feet below. Either that or they'd overtake madly and collide head on with some innocent soul. One woman did just that and was not wearing her seatbelt. She was dead as soon as she shot through the windscreen. The taxi she collided with was badly damaged and the driver unconscious but at least he had his seatbelt on and survived.

It worries me to see people imitating the stupid driving from TV and films.

[surfologist]

isnt that advice a bit hypocritical?

Yes... extremely hypocritical....:eek:
I prob should have left out the minor detail that i do it myself, and just stuck with the "dont do it" point.

Anywhoo, dont noone do 80 on a country road with potholes. It may not always end in happiness. ;)

[NickSimcheck]

Internet forums, the best place to give your 2 cents and run. Everybody has an assho-I mean opinion.

Remember, we all make mistakes. I'm sure you've learned.

Happy to hear you are in good shape.

[michaelbehlen]

Thanks nick. I am in great shape, and wil be able to continue shooting in about a week.

[RAitch]

You should also be thankful that the airbags didn't deploy late and kill/injure you. From what I've been told, this has become a large problem and has taken lives of first responders climbing into a wreck (or sticking their noggin in the window) to offer assitance. In fact, sometimes the first thing fire crews do when responding to a wreck is to pop the hood and chop any battery connections.

In your case, perhaps the battery connection was compromised as well as your judgement. You are lucky to be alive, for whatever the reason... as you've described it.

We all do stupid things at one time or another... I'm glad you've learned from your experience. Sharing stories like this (for whatever intent) always leaves something in our memory. Hopefully the next time somebody is going down a back road they'll remember what can happen before they stomp.

[Steve Parr]

I was going 80mph down a country road, lost control because I over corrected a lane adjustment and then over over corrected that, which sent my car sideways into a pole, which I broke in half, and flipped 4 times across 80-100 yards.

You didn't crash because you over-corrected, you crashed because you're not a proficient enough driver to drive like a bat outta' Hell...

THE BAD NEWS: MY airbags did not deploy/ Does anyone have any info on legal aspects of this. (I have a '03 Honda Accord 4-Door).

Legal aspects?

For what?

I would love to see the basis for that lawsuit...

So basicly, God said it wasn't my time to go, and I think he has some big plans for my life. And He put a shield around me last night, he didn't let anything happen to me. I wasn't doing to good in my walk of faith the last month or so, this has defantly brought me closer to the Lord.

I'm not a Christian, but I'm not ordinarily offended by such things.

Frankly, I think God just wants you to slow the Hell down...

[philbyuk]

lucky it was only a post and not another car with a family in it...personally *******s who drive like that should be banned for life and locked up..no sympathy here mate

[::Lisa::]

Thank goodness you are well after that. You are insanely lucky to walk away from that.

I have to agree with everyone else. You were driving way too fast for a country road. I don't know about there but here I barely feel safe going 30mph down the windly country lanes, let alone 80pmh!!!

[rhys]

Thank goodness you are well after that. You are insanely lucky to walk away from that.

I have to agree with everyone else. You were driving way too fast for a country road. I don't know about there but here I barely feel safe going 30mph down the windly country lanes, let alone 80pmh!!!

YOu should see one country lane I drive occasionally. It has a national speed limit sign (60mph?) and it's single track as well as very windy with 90 degree bends and tall hedges. I feel I'm driving at breakneck speed on that lane at 15 mph!

I find driving in the US is challenging from a different perspective. The roads I normally encounter are pretty good. The problem is that American cars are so powerful. I'm used to 800cc and 1.3L engines. My wife's 3.5L v6 has me spinning the wheels quite often!

[Guineh]

You didn't crash because you over-corrected, you crashed because you're not a proficient enough driver to drive like a bat outta' Hell...


I want to add something here that may help with the slowing the heck down bit.

Find an autocross in your area and participate in it. You'll learn several things:

1) Its a great way to get the aggressive driving bug "out of your system"

2) You'll learn how little you really know how to handle a car

3) You'll learn why it is VERY wise to slow down, and if you do it in the rain, you'll find out how much of a difference in road adhesion you really have in wet weather.

4) You'll learn how to handle your car better, and it could very well save your behind in an emergency situation.

Its a controlled environment. Accidents do still happen, though, but is much safer than pulling those sorts of stunts on public roads. Not a high speed event, but a low-medium speed event. The worst I've seen was a wheel flying across the road into a fast food restaurant's parking lot, because the driver forgot to tighten the lug nuts on their car.

It's a bit humbling when you start out at the bottom of the pack. :)

[rhys]

I think we can assume that most people here deplore speed and reckless driving. I think we can further assume that most people here drive within:
1. The speed limit.
2. A safe speed dependent upon the conditions and no greater than the speed limit.
3. Their capabilities.

It seems to me that the OP was driving:
1. Well beyond the speed limit.
2. Well beyond what was safe for the road conditions.
3. Well beyond his capabilities.

Just because your acellerator pedal will reach the floor, it does not mean that it should ever be pushed to the floor.

I am reminded of the nutters that would indulge in dangerous overtaking on my road from my house to the next village in Britain. They would scream past me, endangering their lives and everybody elses by overtaking on blind bends etc. Then when I reached the traffic lights in the next village, proceeding at no more than the speed limit, I would almost always find myself right behind them at the very same set of traffic lights. Aside from causing a hazard to all around, excessive speed magnifies the shock to the suspension of minor flaws in the road surface, uses a lot more fuel and doesn't get you there much faster than driving normally. The costs are in favour of moderate speed in terms of wear and tear on car and in petrol usage.

I had no problem driving a car with an 800cc engine and a top end of 85mph because I know with that car I was getting 47mpg. The bigger the engine and the faster you go, the more fuel is burned per mile.

I think we might as well end this thread here. I am glad nobody was injured or killed by the OP's reckless driving and hope fervantly that the OP will learn from the crash to drive safely and with due regard for the safety of others.

[neil_r]

I think we might as well end this thread here.

We have an uncrowned mod I see :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[racketman]

ps: If you are not a christain, please just skip over this part, I do not wish to offend anyone(non-christains)

So basicly, God said it wasn't my time to go, and I think he has some big plans for my life. And He put a shield around me last night, he didn't let anything happen to me. I wasn't doing to good in my walk of faith the last month or so, this has defantly brought me closer to the Lord.


why should anyone be offended by your belief? I am not a believer but am quite happy to hear other opinions.

I can never understand this religious idea that survivors have somehow been 'saved'. So when a plane crashes and one person miraculously survives are you to believe that this God wanted all the others to die? I dont think religion works if you take God to be involved in the minutae of everyone's life. It would be more understandable if you said He created the world and now its up to you to make it a pleasant place to live.

[RAitch]

I'm much the same way as posted above... I'm not a Christian, and don't mind hearing other opinions.
I start getting offended when somebody isn't as open as me and tries to force their beliefs on me ignoring the fact that I might not agree. The OP clearly was not doing this... so I wouldn't understand if anyone was offended.

On the other hand, I also don't start questioning people's beliefs... I'm truely a "to each his own" kind of guy... so questioning belief isn't going to go too far. Personally, I'm offended more by that. Quite honestly, people DO involve their god in all aspects of their life.

I hope this doesn't turn into a religion debate... that won't get us very far.

If you believe or not... the OP is lucky to be alive and unharmed. Was it an act of god? Perhaps it was. Should you question that if you don't believe? I think not.

[rhys]

I don't think faith or fate has anything to do with the events discussed by the OP. The OP was driving in a dangerous manner with a complete lack of regard for the lives of others in the pursuit of his own speed kick. It is lucky - incredibly lucky than nobody was killed or seriously injured. It galls me no end that having survived the consequences of his own stupidity that he should then even ask whether he should sue the car manufacturer. It was a dangerous act that was committed by deliberate action by the OP. If God smiled on anybody that day it was the people who would otherwise have been walking/cycling/driving/motorbiking along that road at the same time. The OP was on his own. In Britain such an act would be called "reckless driving" or "driving without due care and attention" and would carry jail time. For anybody to claim something was an accident after the speedo hit 80mph in a land where the maximum speed limit signs that I see top out at 70mph when they have a functioning brake pedal is utter lunacy.

Personally, I'd much rather be critiscised for driving like a little old lady than as a speed demon.

[pagefile]

Nice one, you talk like your proud of this. Then you want to know what the law is so you can try to get money out of it.

Let me tell you my story, it will be short.
I was on my motorcycle in San Antonio TX back in 1981. I just got out of work, there was no shampoo at the house. I went to get some. I never made it. I was hit by a guy that was driving to fast and could not handle the turn he was making and hit me. I went 40 feet through the air, my gas tank exploded. I could not see anything but what I heard was "Is he dead, No I can see him breathing but his leg is broken". I then remember opening my eyes and I seen a sheet coming over me. I started to kick and yell "I am not dead, your not going to cover me up". I had broken my left leg (where the cars bumper hit me), both wrist, nose, jaw, 3 fractures on my head and was leaking spinal fluid. I went through 4 operations. I was in the hospital for 3 months, I was out of work for 2 1/2 years. I don't remember most of my pre-teen and teen years. I am now on Social Security Disability. There are times I can't walk or move (the longest was for 6 weeks).

So be proude of yourself that you walked way from being stupid. And that now your greed has kicked in and you want some money from it.

Try and think just for a moment, if you can, what if you hurt someone. What if you hurt them and it changed there life. What if they can never do the things they wanted to do, what they dreamed of when they were young. What they wanted to become and now never can.

Do you still feel like you should get some money from this? Do you still feel proud what you did and walked away from it?


Good luck with the rest of your life... at least you will have a life.

OK not red anymore, I was hot at the time.

[thomascanty]

Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow... I can't read the previous post. I can't even see it! I'm blinded by all that bright red!

[RAitch]

From what I read in the response, the airbag question was for curiosity into why they didn't inflate... not with intent on legal action... whether that was a bail-out or not.

Pagefile... that sucks. Keep strong.

[DavidW]

I'm another one with a bad car accident experience. In my case, I was stationary at traffic lights in December 2002, handbrake on. The lights ahead had turned green, and I was just doing a shoulder check prior to moving off. At that point, another car hit my rear offside, pushing a ton and a half of MPV a foot sideways. Despite considerable damage, somehow my car was able to be repaired, and my wheelchair, which was in the boot (trunk for our American readers) was undamaged.

I finished up collared, boarded and taken to hospital. Whilst it was "just" whiplash, I was housebound for five months and I've never been as well since - there was a bad interaction with my chronic health problems, which seem to be of neuromuscular origin.

There's considerable dispute as to what happened behind me; one car moved through the junction immediately behind me, and the driver that hit me claimed that that car made him take avoiding action. The third driver claimed that the driver that hit me was speeding (pretty dumb when you live in that town, you almost always have to stop for those lights, it was dark, wet and a bit foggy). Anyway, it never was sorted out and the police took no action, but I did find out that the driver that hit me hit someone else seven months later.

Please, learn the lesson. You are not invulnerable, and you only have one life. That's the same for other people. After 13 years of chronic ill health, I can assure you that your health is extremely precious; please don't take it for granted. Meanwhile, I have a good friend who is a prison chaplain, and she can tell you of the lifelong remorse that some feel for the effect that their actions had on others.



David

[racketman]

I'm much the same way as posted above... I'm not a Christian, and don't mind hearing other opinions.
I start getting offended when somebody isn't as open as me and tries to force their beliefs on me ignoring the fact that I might not agree. The OP clearly was not doing this... so I wouldn't understand if anyone was offended.

On the other hand, I also don't start questioning people's beliefs... I'm truely a "to each his own" kind of guy... so questioning belief isn't going to go too far. Personally, I'm offended more by that. Quite honestly, people DO involve their god in all aspects of their life.

I hope this doesn't turn into a religion debate... that won't get us very far.

If you believe or not... the OP is lucky to be alive and unharmed. Was it an act of god? Perhaps it was. Should you question that if you don't believe? I think not.

have to disagree - honest open debate is healthy. Why should religion be the sole area where you don't question? Anyone confident in their beliefs (as opposed to just being brought up in a faith and not really understanding it) will be eager to discuss such issues and many indeed seek to convert which I have no problem with. Being in London I live and work in a multifaith society and have not come across offence when I question people's beliefs and do not take offence when they ask how I can live without. If they were uneasy I would drop it but tolerance is not about censorship of debate.

[Miyagi-san]

Glad you are okay! That's all.....oh, also.....I LOVE THE AUTOBAHN :D

[Zepher]

You got very very lucky. Now go play the lotto.

And to those that asked "who drives that fast on country roads?" Well, I have noticed that quite a few people drive fast on country roads since everything is so spread out and people are impatient and drive quite fast.
I sometimes cruise at 90-100mph when I am out in the country.

[GSH]

Glad you are okay! That's all.....oh, also.....I LOVE THE AUTOBAHN :D

Likewise, passing a Police car legally at 150mph is strangely liberating ;) but it seems the Perfect Brigade here have swallowed the UK "Speed Kills" mantra hook line & sinker.

As for anyone claiming to be a "tolerably good" driver, it almost certainly means you are average at best. 10% of drivers can claim to be good or better, with the remainder falling into the average or below average category.

The OP had a big off and walked away. No doubt that will teach him more than the condemnation of a few faceless internet Judges.

[RAitch]

have to disagree - honest open debate is healthy. Why should religion be the sole area where you don't question? Anyone confident in their beliefs (as opposed to just being brought up in a faith and not really understanding it) will be eager to discuss such issues and many indeed seek to convert which I have no problem with. Being in London I live and work in a multifaith society and have not come across offence when I question people's beliefs and do not take offence when they ask how I can live without. If they were uneasy I would drop it but tolerance is not about censorship of debate.
Well I do agree with you, but not everybody is as open as me/you.
Not saying that religion debate is taboo... it's just proven to get heated and nowhere quick. And it's not the only one... just look at the pc/mac debates.

Questioning each other is definitely healthy... and it's how we learn. However, online... with only text... questions can easily be skewed... much like how I wasn't commenting specifically to you... and more like making a general observation... but since I quoted you... you (and most) would naturally assume that was a challenge.

I don't believe in god(s)... but that doesn't mean I don't believe one exists in others... and I personally don't mind when people question my beliefs... it's that point where there's no respect and where it turns into a 1-way conversation that irritates me. I mean, I respect the decision of others and only expect the same in return.

Don't worry, I'm not trying to censor you... sounds like we're on the same page.

[neil_r]

but it seems the Perfect Brigade here have swallowed the UK "Speed Kills" mantra hook line & sinker.

Not quite correct, my criticism was not of his speed per se but rather his inability or incompetence to drive at that speed.

[tlc]

That sounds typical of the UK police. Always on the side of the criminal.



now now, you know that really isnt true!

[rhys]

now now, you know that really isnt true!

Tony Martin?

[Reefbone]

My 2 cents... the whole thing boils down to age. Since your young my advice is "Get it together.. and wake up as soon as you can". You are not invincable and S__T does happen. When it does it's not good. If you do what you know to be "the right thing" all the other things in life will fall into place (Relationships, Money etc). This includes keeping a schedule and not remembering about your finals the evening before.

Oh yea.. I still want to see the pictures. :lol:

Glad your ok.

[NickSimcheck]

This thread has me with one foot in the flame suit. I'm just waiting for the place to burn down, but I guess it's settled down a bit in the last few posts.

THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS! (does anybody have the smiley guys? Text doesn't quite cut it)

[neil_r]

Tony Martin?


What car was he driving ?

[zacker]

Smiling god? prolly not..
Dumb Luck? think so!

Will he ever drive this way again? Not for a long time!

[rhys]

What car was he driving ?

Victim of police negligence.

[thomascanty]

THIS THREAD IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PICS! (does anybody have the smiley guys? Text doesn't quite cut it)

You mean these guys? http://www.ldphotography.net/Smilies/postpics.gif

[neil_r]

Victim of police negligence.

Yeh right, glad you left mate.

[thomascanty]

Yeh right, glad you left mate.

I'd love to know what that whole debate was about...

[sageone]

I am a christian. You are lucky.

Now why the hell are you looking into legal matters because your airbag did not deply? Would it save your car? would it have saved you form injuries? Oh, yeah you walked away. People like you are driving up the costs of everything with a blame others cuz you could not handle your car. Your life was just spared by the grace of God and you want to look into a law suit. you make me want to puke. dont sue, dont speed. Yikes. I hope you are 70 years old, because if you are the youth of today we are doomed. I would really liek to tell you how I feel, but you are not worth getting banned over. Some christian you are.

Ouch...though somewhat legit. Glad your safe and sound. 80mph? Come on...necessary? Probably not, unless your driving in Germany on the autobahn.

[rhys]

I'd love to know what that whole debate was about...

Tony Martin's remote farm was continually burgled over a period of several years.

Each time Tony Martin called the police who sometimes never turned up and sometimes turned up days later. The police never followed up on any of the information received and eventually it became quite clear that the police just were not interested in catching crooks nor in keeping Tony Martin and his property safe.

Denied protection under the law he had to do something to stop the burglaries. Expensive farm equipment was being stolen and the insurance company was getting fed up and was increasing premiums to such a point that he was being driven out of business.

In the end, having tried all peaceful means to deter and stop burglars he shot two with his shotgun. One was killed and one he wounded but allowed to escape rather than finishing him off.

Protection under the law was refused him and thus he was placed in a position where he had to be the law. The police prosecuted him for murder which was reduced to manslaughter and he got 5 years in jail for defending his own property.

This ignited a national debate on how far one could go in defending oneself and just how biassed the system is toward the criminal.

My view - the instant a criminal starts to commit a crime he surrenders all his rights under the law and all his human rights as he is attempting to deprive somebody else of their rights under the law and of their human rights.

Tony Martin was not a murderer. He set out to defend himself from burglars wielding knives and did so. It is to his credit that he did not kill the second burglar when he had the opportunity to do so.

[neil_r]

Tony Martin's remote farm was continually burgled over a period of several years...............

That is one view, there are others. If anyone is really interested I suggest they have a broad "Google" on the subject.

[tlc]

I find driving in the US is challenging from a different perspective. The roads I normally encounter are pretty good. The problem is that American cars are so powerful. I'm used to 800cc and 1.3L engines. My wife's 3.5L v6 has me spinning the wheels quite often!

in the states, i used to have a 2.6, which i felt was fine, it had nice power, but of course, i wanted MORE POWER.

i move over here and now i have a lowly 1.2.

:shock:

those big 18 wheel trucks scare me now!!!!!!!

[tlc]

Tony Martin's remote farm was continually burgled over a period of several years.

Each time Tony Martin called the police who sometimes never turned up and sometimes turned up days later. The police never followed up on any of the information received and eventually it became quite clear that the police just were not interested in catching crooks nor in keeping Tony Martin and his property safe.

Denied protection under the law he had to do something to stop the burglaries. Expensive farm equipment was being stolen and the insurance company was getting fed up and was increasing premiums to such a point that he was being driven out of business.

In the end, having tried all peaceful means to deter and stop burglars he shot two with his shotgun. One was killed and one he wounded but allowed to escape rather than finishing him off.

Protection under the law was refused him and thus he was placed in a position where he had to be the law. The police prosecuted him for murder which was reduced to manslaughter and he got 5 years in jail for defending his own property.

This ignited a national debate on how far one could go in defending oneself and just how biassed the system is toward the criminal.

My view - the instant a criminal starts to commit a crime he surrenders all his rights under the law and all his human rights as he is attempting to deprive somebody else of their rights under the law and of their human rights.

Tony Martin was not a murderer. He set out to defend himself from burglars wielding knives and did so. It is to his credit that he did not kill the second burglar when he had the opportunity to do so.

if he had been in the states, tony martin never would have gone to jail.

i TOTALLY agree in that once you commit a crime, you waive your rights. we are just too soft on crime.

oh and you forgot to say that the guy who survived, tried to sue him for pain and suffering.

[rhys]

if he had been in the states, tony martin never would have gone to jail.

i TOTALLY agree in that once you commit a crime, you waive your rights. we are just too soft on crime.

oh and you forgot to say that the guy who survived, tried to sue him for pain and suffering.

Yes. Fortunately the scumbag lost.

General police advice in the UK is that if you hit a burglar and floor him you don't tell the police "I hit him and floored him" because they're after easy convictions. Instead you say "There were two of them and they started fighting each other" to explain the bruises and then just say that you sat on the one that didn't get up and run away.

One of my dad's friends caught two lads vandelising his gate and had to wallop them to ensure they didn't run away. He called the police who came along, arrested them and arrested him and charged him with assault and them with vandalism. They just pleaded guilty and got maybe 2 months probation. He got really worried about being charged with assault and hired a barrister to defend himself. It cost him a ton of money but the barrister got him into a position in which he could sue the police for false arrest and malicious prosecution.

Most of the problem is that the police were overpaid by Thatcher and that their wages have stayed unrealistically high. Thus they tend to be the kind of people that want a lot of money and don't want to do very much in order to get it.

[neil_r]

Most of the problem is that the police were overpaid by Thatcher and that their wages have stayed unrealistically high. Thus they tend to be the kind of people that want a lot of money and don't want to do very much in order to get it.

Rhys,

You have a talent for talking complete nonsense with an authority that is totally undeserved. Well done my friend!

I would love to chat some more, unfortunately I am unable to as:-

1. This is a photography forum and politics (no mater how misguided are not a suitable topic for debate)

2. You can’t influence the hopelessly misguided.

pip pip

N

[rhys]

You have a talent for talking complete nonsense with an authority that is totally undeserved.

Thank you for your kind comments. I trust that you will be feeling more sociable in the morning.