Crashed my dads truck..

BenZie · January 14, 2002

The other night I was heading to my girlfriends dance class, the roads were basically glare ice and it had been snowing for like a half hour or so which made the roads even more slippery. You know when you go out in your drive way and there is snow on top of the ice and it makes the ice much more slippery, well that's how the road was. I had just passed the sand truck going in the opposite direction in the other lane, and I could obviously tell he hadn't done my lane yet. I was going probably 35 mph or so, thank god, when my butt end slid out, I let off the gas, turned into the slide, and noticed that didn't do anything at all for me. I then tried putting it in 4wd but it was too late. I slid into the ditch, then crashed into a small cluster of trees. The truck was flipped up on it's side and I had all I could do to get out. The fender was bent in so the door wouldn't open very easy at all. I feel terribly bad for my dad, even thought accidents do happen. He loved this truck more than anything in the world, and I ruined it. Insurance still hasn't come to check it out yet but I really hope they total it so he can get a new truck out of it.

I have one question for you guys though. Neither air bag came out, and the right side bumper is pushed in very far, everyone I have talked to and shown has said there is no excuse for at least the passenger side air bag not going off. As it happens no one got injured, but because of the air bags not coming out, someone COULD have been seriously injured. I love GM products, and would never drive anything else, but I am very concerned as to why the airbags "failed". If anyone could fill me in on why they didn't come out, I'd be very happy.

Pictures of the truck -

http://home.maine.rr.com/tarr12/HD/

It's a 2001 2500 HD 8.1L Crew Cab. Didn't even have 10,000 miles on it.

And does anyone have any tips for me on how I can get over this terrible feeling in my stomach. Because until he has a brand new truck sitting in the drive way and this thing is out of here, I am going to feel incredibly bad.

Thanks again.

Z71Adrenaline · January 14, 2002

Man I'm sorry to hear that....a tragedy for the truck. I hope that you get to feeling better and I hope your dad isn't too mad....Good luck w/the insurance people!

Frank S · January 14, 2002

First of all,the air bag is designed to deploy from a frontal impact ie:the sensors are located behind the front bumper and had you hit the trees head on it would have deployed if eveything is functioning properly.

Secondlyand more importantly,I'm sorry to hear about the incident but must important of all,and I'm sure your father will agree though he may be angry,you are alright.The truck can be fixed or replaced and though I don't have any kids at this time I am aware that a loved one can not be.

Everything will turn out ok,it'll just take some time.

Stepside Z · January 14, 2002

Hey man just be glad that you are OK, Trucks can be replaced but people cannot. Buy the way where are you from in Maine. I am from Owls Head.

BenZie · January 14, 2002

Hey man just be glad that you are OK, Trucks can be replaced but people cannot. Buy the way where are you from in Maine. I am from Owls Head.

I'm from the Portland area...

Owls Head...? Isn't that in near Rockland?

DigUout · January 14, 2002

Sorry to hear about your scary accident. As Frank said, sounds like it wasn't the type of impact the airbag is designed for. While you're learning a few lessons from this experience, remember this. If the roads and weather is crappy, put it in 4WD before you leave the driveway. In mid skid is too late. Actually, 4WD wouldn't have helped while in a skid, but might, at a slower speed, have prevented the skid initially.

And not trying to come off all paternal and all knowing, but as someone who has driven in more snowy conditions than most people, 35MPH is too fast on snowy roads. I rarely go more than 30MPH in the snow and have had enough close calls to know that's pushing it. Leave earlier and go slower.

As far as getting rid of that feeling in your gut, it'll just take time. Your Dad may be PO'd and you may feel terrible, but just learn from the experience. I promise you, as a father, (and every other Dad on this site will back me up on this) your Dad may miss his new truck, but bottom line, he's glad you're safe.

Be careful. Next time it might be your truck - ;)

Stepside Z · January 14, 2002

Hey man just be glad that you are OK, Trucks can be replaced but people cannot. Buy the way where are you from in Maine. I am from Owls Head.

I'm from the Portland area...

Owls Head...? Isn't that in near Rockland?

Yes it is. I am going to be moving back in a year and a half when I retire from the Navy. Really looking forward to comming home.

NewbieZ71 · January 14, 2002

As has been said, yes your Dad loved his truck but I not anywhere near as much as you I am sure. Secondly, DigUout said that next time it may be YOUR truck.....from someone who once crashed his parents brand new 3 hours old 24 total miles on it station wagon, I think its EASIER if its yours and not his! Tell him I'll buy his fender flares if he has any! Off set the loss by .000045%!

BenZie · January 14, 2002

As has been said, yes your Dad loved his truck but I not anywhere near as much as you I am sure. Secondly, DigUout said that next time it may be YOUR truck.....from someone who once crashed his parents brand new 3 hours old 24 total miles on it station wagon, I think its EASIER if its yours and not his! Tell him I'll buy his fender flares if he has any! Off set the loss by .000045%!

Well I think insurance is going to total the truck, so he won't be able to sell anything off it. Incase you didn't see, I have some post-wreck pictures here.

http://home.maine.rr.com/tarr12/HD/