Just minding my own business...

[Owen]

9:30am... Houston I-45 heavy traffic moving about 60mph... I'm in left lane... cars start to slow down and so did I... 3 car lengths space in front of me... slowing, not abrupt stopping, just slowing... now about 45 - 50mph... I hear screeching tires... look in rearview mirror and see closest vehicle about 4 car lengths behind me and also moving slow... still hear screeching... Wham! Hit in right rear corner by a car in center lane.

 

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w337/Owen064/IMG_4267_zps2030827b.jpg

 

This being the perfect Pit Maneuver, I spin counter clockwise and smash into the center concrete barrier... airbag deploys... glasses gone... continue spinning counter clockwise... cross center lane and broad side an 18 wheeler that was still moving... as I see the center of the trailer rapidly approaching all I can think is 'This is gonna hurt!'... I hit hard just in front of the rear wheels and the force of his movement continues to spin me counter clock wise as the fender of his rear wheels slices through my front right fender...

 

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w337/Owen064/IMG_4263_zps553176f6.jpg

 

On my journey back across the center lane toward the concrete barrier for the second time it was deja vu... Hit the barrier hard again and came to rest facing the wrong direction...

 

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w337/Owen064/IMG_0054_zpsfc0dc7d5.jpg

 

http://i521.photobucket.com/albums/w337/Owen064/IMG_0053_zpsd36758d5.jpg

 

EMS extricated me from the cab with neck brace and backboard... 6 hours later I walked out of the hospital with only arm abrasions from the air bag, sore muscles and slightly tweaked lower back.

 

This little Toyota truck took good care of me. Interior cab was undamaged. Nothing crunched or folded into the passengers area. This was after 3 very hard front end hits.

 

Now where's that rum....

[Flyinfool]

OUCH!!

 

Glad you can tell us about it.

[Aimhigh]

Owen...certainly glad you are okay...that was a bad one, that could easily have turned out much worse...glad you had a great co-pilot looking over you!

[PBJ]

WOW very lucky Man! Thank God you survived.

 

I had a friend killed in a very similar accident. She too was hit from behind and propelled into the other lane. Only her pick up went right under the trailer as it slide over the top it ripped the cab roof right off. They couldn't get her or her 9 year old son out fast enough. They died at the scene. that was 23 years ago. I still miss her.

[Carbon_One]

Wow Owen that's one smashed up truck. I dare say it's totaled. LOL Anyhow glad to hear you didn't sustain anything serious. Be thankfull you weren't on the bike too.

Larry

Edited December 18, 2012 by Carbon_One

[Venturous Randy]

I don't think that is gonna buff out.

Glad you are here to tell us about it. Who got charged.

RandyA

[utadventure]

Glad you're injuries were minimal.

 

Tell Santa (a.k.a. the insurance company) you'd like a new truck for Christmas!!

 

Dave

[Owen]

I don't think that is gonna buff out.

Glad you are here to tell us about it. Who got charged.

RandyA

 

Driver that struck me from behind was ticketed for failure to maintain her lane and... NO INSURANCE!

 

[XV1100SE]

Glad you are okay. That is one banged up truck !

[Venturous Randy]

I hope you had good uninsured motorist insurance.

RandyA

[Owen]

Glad you're injuries were minimal.

 

Tell Santa (a.k.a. the insurance company) you'd like a new truck for Christmas!!

 

Dave

 

This one was a 2006 with only 213,000 miles on it. Just broke in!

[Snaggletooth]

When I first opened the post and saw the first pic I thought "Man, he got off easy." And then the next few pics turned to "Gonna hurt in the morning."

 

I'm glad to see you're here and typing away. You had a good day.

[etcswjoe]

Glad you are hear to tell us about it and hope eveything works out.

[CaptainJoe]

Dang!

So... only have 8 lives to go after those hit(s)?

Must have had someone looking out for you.

I'll second the "Glad you wern't on a bike".

[pktexas]

Owen, glad you are ok. Wishing a better rest of the year and a better one in 2013. Good ole Houston traffic. Been there. PITA.

[Phoneman1981]

Glad you are okay.

[Mel]

Driver that struck me from behind was ticketed for failure to maintain her lane and... NO INSURANCE!

 

 

Does Texas have a requirement (law) for proof of insurance before registration is given? I haven't spent much time in Texas since the early 60's in the Air Force, but I seem to remember that you had to have insurance before plates/registration would be issued.

[RandyR]

Whew!!! you're a lucky guy. your guardian angel was looking out for you.

 

how was the rum?

[bongobobny]

Was she on a cell phone at the time??? Glad you're OK Owen!! Hope the insurance deal works out for you in the end.

[Marcarl]

Darn, another red one gone,,, maybe I should have bought a blue one instead.

Glad to hear you made it through all that,,, now you got another story to tell about how you are so well cared for.

[MasterGuns]

What do you expect in Houston? or Dallas for that matter. Been rear ended 9 times in the last 14 years. Hey, nice battery.

[Hummingbird]

Driver that struck me from behind was ticketed for failure to maintain her lane and... NO INSURANCE!

 

 

I hope you are considering getting a lawyer and filing suit against the uninsured. You most likely won't get anything but you should get a judgement which will make life meserable for them for quite a while.

 

There is NO EXCUSE for not having at least liability insurance.

[dacheedah]

Glad you are ok, reminds us to take our time and watch our b hinds. . .

[friesman]

wow! so glad that youre ok, that could have been so much worse!

 

Brian

[mm482]

It's great that you are still here with us. I hope all goes well with the ins. co.

 

Earl