My car is totaled! | FerrariChat

My car is totaled!

Discussion in 'Louisiana' started by richard, Feb 25, 2004.

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  1. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Richard Thompson III
    Well guys, **** happens I suppose...my 2003 Nissan 350Z is no more.

    A few F-chatters know by now, so i figured I would post of an explanation so concerned individuals would know the exact details.

    I was driving back to Savannah from New Orleans on I-10 last night. It was raining a bit (not very hard) and it was after dark. At exit #199 (Tallahassee) some jerk got on the interstate and then immeditately swerved across both lanes, got right in front of me, and then hit his brakes. I began to hit mine as well, and immediately felt my car lift as I started to hydroplane. The car seemed to gain speed as it sailed across the other two lanes. I hydroplaned across two lanes and and counter-steered a bit, but impact was inevitable and I wanted it to be at the front of the car since there's more stuff there to protect me. I turned the wheel back a bit, flexed my arms so they wouldn't be locked, and shut my eyes. I impacted the guard rail at about 65 or 70MPH.

    I opened my eyes. Both front airbags deployed. None of the curtains did, which seems right since the impact was straight on. My head never touched the airbag -- my seatbelt completely restrained me. The chemicals from the airbags hurt my eyes so I checked my hands and feet, then opened the door and rolled out onto the pavement and took a deep breath before getting up to call 911.

    Turns out someone already had. A bunch of people stopped to give witness reports about the jerk who cut me off, and apprently then kept going -- completely oblivious to the mayhem unfolding behind him. I checked myself out a little further before the cops showed up; I was completely unharmed with the exception of some chemical burns caused by the airbags. A bunch of cops and EMTs and firefighters came. They cut all the battery lines to my car because it was still on and I spent a while sorting out the EMTs and police. It took 4 AAA trucks more than 2 hours to get my car unhooked from the guard rail. Apparently the car was impaled at multiple points by the guard rail. One of the cops epxlained to me that I probably shouldn't be (or was very lucky to be) alive and that if I had been going any faster than the speed limit when it happened, the car would have gone through the rail and down a 50 foot embankment. The other officer was very stern and said that if the other folks had not given witness reports he would have written me a pile of tickets.

    Here are the photos (links):
    View From Right Side (directly after accident occurred)
    View From Front Right (directly after accident occurred)
    Front Right Wheel (directly after accident occurred)
    Front Right (on tow truck)
    Front Left (on tow truck)

    AAA finished picking up pieces of my car a hundred or so yards down the highway and then put all of them in my car, thereby covering the interior in mud and water. Not like I'll be using it again anyhow.

    I got a hotel room and earlier this morning I caught a very early flight back to Savannah.

    I would like to thank the individuals who expressed immediate concern for my own well being -- you guys are the greatest! Hopefully everything will work out for the best. My insurance is fully comprehensive, so I'm not worried about the car much -- just my neck right now, since I have heard a lot about whiplash problems. A New Orleans club member who specializes in this kind of medicine has given me some excellent recommendations about what to do so I have most of it covered. Iw ill post an update when I am sure about the outcome of the insurance claim.
     
  2. Admiral Thrawn

    Admiral Thrawn F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2003
    3,932
    Woah!

    Glad to hear you're alright, that's the main thing.
     
  3. sparta49

    sparta49 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 3, 2001
    7,802
    LA
    Full Name:
    Frank
    Richard, Sorry to hear about the car but it can be replaced, I'm glad you are at least in one piece.
     
  4. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    51,459
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    Richard. The karma will chase the other guy down. Nearly had the same thing happen as I returned from (a rainy) Palm Springs Saturday night. Jerks are everywhere - no casualties, thankfully.

    Glad you're OK. That's the most important thing.

    Just noticed your B'day is on the 28th - in advance, I wish you the best.
     
  5. AJS328

    AJS328 F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Apr 23, 2003
    7,520
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Augustine Staino
    It's good to see that the car did what it was supposed to do and that you are safe.
     
  6. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,395
    Texas!
    Richard, I'm glad that all is well with you. Cars are replaceable. Something similar happened to once and I did a 180 on a 5 land freeway near downtown Houston. I ended at a dead stop facing the wrong way! 5 lanes of traffic had to stop to let me hang a U and get out of there. The guy who almost got me killed? Hauled ass.

    So take care out there. It is dangerous.

    Dale

    ps I realize that I made my check out to FFQC instead of your company. Do you want me to mail a new one? Thx
     
  7. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Richard Thompson III
    The company is not mine but Joe Zahavi's...he is the guy in charge of the movie stuff. I have been posting here for him to avoid confusion since he does not post on f-chat very often or at all.

    I called him and he said he would appreciate it very much if you were to do that and cancel the other check.
     
  8. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

    Nov 24, 2002
    2,133
    Katy
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Now Richard, you do realize that you have no choice but to use the Ins check to buy a Ferrari don't you?

    Dave
     
  9. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Richard Thompson III
    If only that were a viable option.... :)
     
  10. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    75,395
    Texas!
    No problemo. What name should I put on the check?

    Thx
     
  11. Matt LaMotte

    Matt LaMotte Formula 3

    Oct 30, 2002
    1,874
    Richard,
    Sorry to hear about the Z man. I remember seeing you run along side everyone during the event and thinking that it was a sharp ride. At least you were not hurt and it can be rplaced. What do you think of the Infiniti G35 coupes. Pretty much the same car but a little more plush. I also put the check in the mail today for the DVD. Take care and be safe.
    Matt
     
  12. FAMILY MAN

    FAMILY MAN Karting

    Nov 24, 2003
    153
    ** Sorry to hear <see your car> about your accident. You are lucky to be alive. Good luck with your neck ... whiplashes and spinal problems are not good. If you need a specialist <Ferrari owner> I know a good one.
    FAMILY MAN
     
  13. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Richard Thompson III
    I believe he wants them made out to Balance, Inc.
     
  14. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Richard Thompson III
    Thanks Matt. If insurance doesn't screw me I will be getting another Z and tricking it out. No stickers though, I promise. I'm not into "that kind" of modification ;) I had a Touring model, I will probably get a lightly used Enthusiast or Performance model (maybe eBay, who knows) and spend the wad of extra cash on making it twice the car my last one was.
     
  15. richard

    richard Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,404
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Richard Thompson III
    My neck is doing a lot better already thanks to the advice of a N.O. based Ferrari Club member who is a doctor and specializes in this stuff. Maybe we are talking about the same person. Either way I owe him a lot of thanks for the advice.
     
  16. ryalex

    ryalex Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 6, 2003
    24,957
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Ryan Alexander
    I got hit last month in my ma's old Cadillac by a 19-yr old kid who ran a stop sign... we had a witness pull over and give her name, and so we called off the police when the kid's dad came and agreed to pay us the bluebook for the car. Worked out well for my ma cause the interior was pretty shabby and she was looking to sell it but couldn't get near bluebook for it.

    If I were you I'd put the money into a 308! Or perhaps something with AWD like a WRX STi or a Mitsu EVO VIII.

    I was passing someone in my WRX on a rural highway a few weeks ago when there was plenty of snow... as I was coming back into the left lane I started to fishtail at 55mph, I slammed the gas and the AWD caught again and the car snapped straight (after 3-4 sways). Scared me, but I was thankful- my old RWD BMW would have wrapped me around an elm tree.
     

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