Before and after...
Normally I don't talk about myself here, but I thought everyone might be interested in how I spent my Sunday afternoon.
The weather was clear, and the traffic was moderate to somewhat heavy, at least heavy for a Sunday. I was in the fast lane on I-495, the Washington Beltway, crossing the American Legion Bridge coming from Virginia into Maryland. The traffic was moving at a good clip, not speeding, but moving right along, when suddenly the traffic in front of me stopped. I slammed on my brakes only to be rear-ended, which pushed me into the car ahead.
My car then veered off to the left climbing the jersey barrier, and I thought for sure that I was going to end up going over and having a head-on collision with oncoming traffic. Fortunately the car shot back into my lane, in which I hit the car that I rear-ended again. Then my car shot into the middle and slow lanes hitting one or two other cars. It finally came to a stop about 50 yards ahead of the other wrecked cars, over on the shoulder next to the slow lane, as I had lost the brakes by then, with the horn blaring. At least I think that's what happened, as it happened so quickly that many of the details were lost in the blur.
As to injuries: I've got a bruised left forearm that was caused by the airibag going off. I've also got a bruise (hematoma) on my right shin just below the knee, which immediately swelled up like a golfball (it's gone down now). Yeah, I'm a bit stiff today, and my neck is a bit sore as well, as I got bounced around pretty well. It was quite a ride, with multiple hits. I was taken by paramedics to a local hospital in which I was checked over. So I got my arm bruise bandaged up and they gave me a tetanus shot, mainly because I hadn't had one in years.
I also lost my glasses. I have no idea what happened to them. They may have flew out the moonroof or out the driver's window as they were both open. The police and paramedics looked for them but couldn't find them either.
I don't think anybody else was injured, which is remarkable considering 5 cars were involved.
I have to say that, in spite of the severity of the accident, the Subie really protected me. No glass was broken. All the doors all open and close as if nothing had happened. The only damage to the inside was the airbag which went off, and the driver's seatbelt won't retract.
So is it a total, or can it be salvaged? Don't know yet, as the insurance adjuster hasn't come by yet. I know there is chassis damage. The left rear tire is tucked under a bit, suggesting bent suspension parts, and I think the left front tire was pushed back towards the front door.
More images can be found here.
altimadude00 says:
05:04 AM, 10/ 1/08
It's good to hear that no serious injuries to you or others occurred with this pile-up. Shame about the glasses though.
As for salvage or totaled, I would say totaled. You COULD have it repaired, but it wouldn't drive the same. There would be a wobble or an alignment problem that would never go away.
I hit a tree after going over a curb with my previous car and after replacing two wheels and having multiple alignments and new tires, there was still a wobble/shudder in the steering wheel.
Sadly, I would say goodbye.
brn says:
05:31 AM, 10/ 1/08
I'm far from an expert, but looking at the damage, the speed couldn't have been very high. I don't want to belittle your experience. I'm sure it was dramatic. It sounds like you're ok. That's good.
How'd other people & cars fair?
sabastian says:
05:58 AM, 10/ 1/08
Glad to hear that you're alright, Bob! Sorry about your Subie though. :(
rsholland says:
06:06 AM, 10/ 1/08
It's hard for me to judge the actual impact speed, as I had slowed down dramatically before hitting the car in front of me. I'm guessing under 30 mph, but it's just a guess. I base that only on the fact that cars are designed to protect you at that speed or less in this kind of impact, and that's what happened.
noflash1 says:
06:21 AM, 10/ 1/08
Glad you are okay. It's a testiment to Subaru's safety commitment.
Is it too soon to ask what you will replace the car with?
nf
dougtheeng says:
06:42 AM, 10/ 1/08
Glad you're ok, any sort of accident is a tragedy regardless of the speed. Sorry about the car, I'm guessing she's a write off.
ateixeira says:
06:43 AM, 10/ 1/08
Holy Cow, Bob! Glad you're OK.
They sandwiched you and tossed you all over the road. Let's be thankful for modern crash protection.
I say that's a total loss, pretty sure. An airbag is a costly replacement, plus the seatbelt, the back end, the front end, the suspension.
It's a write off.
2009 WRX, perhaps? It got most of the improvements you asked for.
opfreakx says:
06:48 AM, 10/ 1/08
so sad, any idea as to fault?
I came close to a very similar accident in chicago, similar speeds, left lane, but going around a left had turn where you couldn't seen more then 2-3 car lengths ahead of you. all of a sudden trafic went from 60-0, i was lucky I had enough room to slow down, let off the brake a bit, and then stop. gave then guy behind me that extra 4ft he need to stop. But in the rear I could see the fear/relife in his eyes.
redliner says:
07:14 AM, 10/ 1/08
Glad to hear that you are ok!
As for the car, even if you could fix her, she will never be the same. I think it's time to say goodbye.
cwajag says:
07:20 AM, 10/ 1/08
Sorry to hear about the accident. I live in your area, last August I had an accident on Rt. 50 right near the 495 entrance in VA. I was rear-ended while at a stop light, pushed into the pick up in front of me and he was pushed into the car in front of him. The driver of the minivan who hit me was going about 35 MPH although he claims it was only 10-15 (tough to know when you are jabbering away on a cell phone), the police said I was lucky I was not injured more, I had airbag burns on my arms and just sore for a few days. Sadly, it totalled my Acura. However, I ended up getting a 2008 Subaru Legacy based on it's safety record.
Hope all goes well with your Subie. Watch out for these terrible DC-area drivers!
vvk says:
07:36 AM, 10/ 1/08
I am very sorry about your injuries, Bob, but thankful that you are OK. Sounds like a lucky escape for everyone envolved. I sure wish you a quick and painless recovery.
Subarus are tough as nails. My parents were broadsided by a Chevy Avalanche in their 1994 Impreza recently. The car took a tremendous beating but they were OK. Their Impreza was totalled by the insurance company, so now it has a salvage/rebuilt title. Still drives as new, though.
santiagofdz says:
10:17 AM, 10/ 1/08
Another cybernaut that's glad you're ok.
And what surprises me most of the pictures you uploaded is that you can see the car's crumple zones working. You can see the damage to the front end of the car and the rear suspension, but the cabin's glass didn't even shatter!!
Hope she can be nursed back to good health.
rick8365 says:
11:08 AM, 10/ 1/08
Sorry for the trouble - you're okay but I'm afraid not so for your Subie. A shame - it was obvious from various mentions in other posts how much you loved your car.
Here's wishing you a quick / full recovery and good luck on the fix / replacement front too.
billt9 says:
12:17 PM, 10/ 1/08
Our driver education system is very ineffective at educating about tailgating.
Listen to the driver's ed teachers. Totally no emphasis on tailgating.
"1, 2 seconds. Count the light pole."
"when you stop you have to see the rear tires of the car in front of you."
Uh...
Driver's education teachers are beat down "I'm just doing my job" kind of guys.
editor_karl says:
12:54 PM, 10/ 1/08
Just stubmled upon this Bob. Sad to hear about the car but glad to hear you're okay for the most part.
Any idea what caused the impact from behind? Was the guy texting, talking on the phone, or just couldn't stop in time?
Regardless, let the insurance companies and your doctors do their thing and don't assume anything (regarding the condition of your car or yourself) too soon.
Be well.
rsholland says:
01:26 PM, 10/ 1/08
Thanks for the kind words everyone. I'm doing fine.
Believe it or not, I wasn't able to talk to any of the other drivers because their vehicles were on the should by the fast lane, and I was on the shoulder on the slow lane. There were 4 lanes to cross, and traffic didn't stop!
By the time the police and emergency workers arrived, they had my attention. I got taken away in the ambulance before talking to anyone else involved. I don't know who or what hit me, starting this chain reaction. At this point, I know nothing.
desmolicious says:
01:32 PM, 10/ 1/08
Forget the car, glad you're ok Bob.
estreka says:
02:43 PM, 10/ 1/08
A person is almost never at fault if they've been rear-ended.
How's your head Bob? The docs didn't say anything about a concussion, did they?
I'm glad to hear you've come out relatively well.
rsholland says:
03:04 PM, 10/ 1/08
No head problems, although my wife might take issue with that...
subytrojan says:
05:27 PM, 10/ 1/08
Cars can be replaced, but people can't. I'm glad you're alright, Bob! :o)
For those of you familiar with LOLcats, Bob can has 2009 WRX/STI? I think so!!! :o)
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/07/0714_bloggers/image/i-can-has-cheezburger.jpg