I was in a crash today

Marcus · March 19, 2004

Hi guys. I rarely post, but I check in every day.

Some background info: I have a black 2001 ZR2 Blazer with a torsion bar crank up front, and AALs and shackles in the back, running 32 x 11.50 BGF ATs (no rub).

Anyways, I has hit by a 2000 Ford Expedition today on the interstate on my way to work. It is a 3 lane highway and I was in the far right lane, slowing down after a bridge due to traffic. The Expy came over the bridge and the guy was not paying attention and slammed into my rear end. He did not even hit his brakes. I was probably going about 5-10 mph while the Expy was doing at least 50. Hit me so d**n hard that my ZR2 flew 100 yards forward and off to the left, over the the other two lanes and into the grassy median.

The critics can say what they want about Chevy trucks, however, the crash demolished his front end and really only banged up my rear. The best I can figure is that his bumper hit my bumper dead on. My bumper is damaged, the tailgate is damaged, the liftglass shattered and the spare tire carrier is a bit funky. The funny thing is with all the momentum transfer, it felt like the front of my truck lifted up off the ground (which it did not) and I took off forward and to the left. His "crumple zone" did exaclty that - it crumpled bad.

I went to the hospital in the ambulance with some neck pain, but am otherwise okay. The other driver told the police officer that he was not paying attention and so the officer wrote him a ticket for careless driving.

I am rather pleased with how well the truck held up given the fact that the other truck was so much heavier. However, I wonder if all the momentum did not just transfer to the back of my neck? instead of my truck?

Thanks for listening. Sorry this post is so long.

tps0424 · March 19, 2004

Glad to hear that you are well enough to be posting after a crash like that. What did they say at the hospital about your neck?

LikeaRock14 · March 19, 2004

Why do you think I chose muh name???

We actually DEMOLISHED this chick in her Honda w/ our dodge, she turned in front of us when she seeeeeeriously shouldn't have.

Chevy's hold up better, cuz they're LIKEAROCK

SnakeEyeSS · March 19, 2004

Your neck will hurt. or your head will. only time will tell how bad. may be tomorrow, may be two weeks from now, it's wierd how the body works sometimes.

the truck I had, that is my dad's now, was my brother's first. He was stopped on a 45 MPH zone in traffic. a civic hit him at 70 MPH. the civic was gone, hood almost in the front seat. On the truck, almost all the shock was absorbed by the Class III hitch, which just bent the frame stright down. perfectly in fact, so that it was straighted to about 95% or more of new.

its a RC, and my bro head shattered the back window of the truck. he felt fine, and then about 3 or 4 weeks later he had a headache for 5 days, or no appreant reason besides the wreck, then he was fine, with an occasional sore neck now and then. so don't tell the other insurance company your sompletely fine for a least a few months, neven if you think you are, b/c there may be damage waiting to "surface". I had a teacher once that said she was in a bad wreck once and the bruses from the wreck didn't surface for a werk or more, so hold on! good luck! hope you are ok though!

chevy trucks, like a rock!

General Lee 01 · March 19, 2004

The number one thing is, You're ok. Glad to hear it!

Is the ZR2 fixable? or is she totalled

Marcus · March 19, 2004

Hi guys.

Yes, the ZR2 looks fixable. I was hit so dead-on, that it looks like there is only damage to the direct rear and not even the rear quarter panels... but I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know yet.

The other guy has State Farm insurance and they have agreed to fix everything and pay for a rental and storage of the ZR2 until it goes into the body shop.

My neck is much more sore today and I hope it gets better... the X-rays were negative at the hospital. I didn't hit my head on anything, I think it was just the whip-lash, but you never know.

About the insurance company: they wanted me to give a recorded statement and I told them "no." I am a lawyer, so I know how that goes. In Florida, we have what is called "no-fault" insurance which means that for the first 10k in medical bills, my insurance will pay 80 percent, while the other guy's insurance company will pay 20 percent. In exchange for the "smooth" payment of medical bills, I cannot sue the other driver unless I have a permanent injury. To be honest, I'm just hoping that I don't get those headaches mentioned above.

Once again, though, I'm really impressed with how the ZR2 held up to a vehicle much heavier. I have always bought Chevy and see no reason to buck the trend now!

Oh, I have pictures but no online account. When I get that set-up I will post them.

scooter70 · March 19, 2004

My mom was visiting us last week and was rearended in my wife's Audi. It was a pretty hard hit, but the woman who rearended her tried to swerve at the last second and hit the bumper on the right side. Initial estimiate is over $6k and it's going to take 5 weeks to fix. I'm not too happy about it, but at least everyone's ok.

Glad to hear you're ok too. Sometimes it's amazing how well these cars can take an impact.

blue2kzr2 · March 19, 2004

I wrecked my old truck (a 94 Jimmy) 2 times. $6,000 in damage to the front both times and I wasn't sore EVER from either one.

Glad to hear you're alright, the truck certainly sounds fixable. Those 2 wrecks, along with the maintenence record for the old truck are why I went with another S-series, a ZR2 S-10 in fact.

Just make SURE they put your truck on the frame machine, it'll need it...

99silveradoz71 · March 19, 2004

Did you see him coming and know he was going to pop you? In regards to your neck and such, there's the inertia factor where you're sitting still and then get suddenly put into motion. My experience with the accidents I've dealt with at work is that a lot of neck/back pain or soreness doesn't show up immediately, so as others have noted, don't be surprised if something comes up. Glad you're allright now though.