Hey guys, on January 23rd I took the Vette to work as I had not driven it since November when I dropped it off at The Vette Doctors for some fun stuff and repairs. Car was running amazing and last ran a 12.2. I’m sure it would run better with my new transmission. Anyway, about a half mile from my house I hit black ice, spun left over double yellow, going approximately 30 mph and crossed back over line and my driver door directly hit a telephone pole. I tried to post pics, but a friend will do so shortly. The frame bent into my legs 2-3 feet and trapped me (my right foot under the floorboards) for about 30 minutes. Even the passenger door skin blew off the car. Needed 2 fire departments and equipment. I only remember the spin, but police officer who saw me crash told me I was awake and that I knocked whatever was left of the driver door onto the ground. PO was at my side in 20 seconds or less, thank God. Car is totaled needless to say. The roof of the car blew off and cut my head for 12 staples and gave me a concussion. The list of injuries: swollen legs toes to stomach, torn ACL ligament right knee, fractured left foot, torn tendon left foot, neck ligaments strained (neck brace for 3 weeks), broken rib, broken left hand and bruises, bruises, bruises. Must have forgotten something! I was in hospital for 8 days then home for 3 weeks and then back to hospital for 4 more days for surgery on my right leg due to fluid build-up. Still need surgery on my knee. Bottom line is I am alive & no more brain damaged than normal! However the pain is horrible & the recovery is long. Be careful out there my friends. I got lucky even with all my injuries! Need to buy a modded used Vette one day, but wife is not thrilled. We’ll see. My 2 year old daughter says we need a new Corvette daddy! I agree. And the fire chief told me a week ago that I kept asking which car I totaled....even then I wished it was my 2008 Infiniti G35X! Hehehe

Update: Spoke to the Fire Dept and my jaws of life savior. Angelo told me how lucky I was and that most people don't take the time to thank them after the accident clean-up. I thanked him and will send dinner to the FD as a small token of appreciation. I was told both feet were crushed onto one another and that the frame rail pushed them against the transmission tunnel. Lots of people lose their feet in accidents like this. I feel luckier every passing day.

 

Glad you're gonna be okay and so sorry about the car.

 

WTF.

Just get well you can always get another Vette.

 

Holy crap thats bad, you are lucky cause it could have been MUCH worse. Take care and get better soon!

 

Wow! That's pretty scary stuff. Glad you are alive. You can always replace the car later. Good luck with your recovery...

 

Glad to hear you are OK. Hopefully you'll be up and about and in a new Corvette soon

 

Time for a C6 Z06! Glad you made it out ok.

 

Sounds like a rough hit, glad you're ok

 

Glad you're OK, but I would guess you were doing a LOT more than 30mph for all of that to happen.

 

Dittos!

 

Wow really sorry to hear that! Glad you're going to be ok!

 

Wow you hit hard. Glad you're ok. Get well soon.

 

Glad to hear it wasn't worse. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

 

Thank goodness you are OK...

What a lesson in how damaging a collision can be. Only 30MPH -- seatbelt, door beams and airbag -- and still such serious injuries.

Get better soon.

BTW, I've been through 2 ACL's -- just follow that therapy program to the letter and you will be very pleased with your eventual recovery. Modern orthopaedics is amazing

 

Your next car will be a Toyota Corolla
You'll be less tempted to drive fast. When I'm in my Jeep, I always go slow...but in my Vette, it's a whole different story (I usually feel a little guilty after driving the Vette, knowing I went a "little" faster than I should have - but it's soooo tempting)
Get better soon! Keep us updated!!!!

 

I doubt it -- most folks have no appreciation for how much energy must be dissipated in a near-instantaneous stop at low speeds, and how short a time frame and crush distance to do it in.

A 30 mph impact at the door is far more severe than a 30 mph head-on hit, as there's virtually no crumple zone at the side. Basically, you have the hydroformed rail at the bottom, and the token side impact beam (which is no match for a telephone pole), and that's it -- no 6+ feet of front frame crumple/engine displacement to absorb the energy, and more importantly, to extend the collision duration so that the peak deceleration values at the occupant are much lower. Even in a side hit from another vehicle, the other vehicle's crumpling extends the impact duration and reduces the severity of the deceleration loads and minimizes cabin penetration.

So, was he doing 30 mph when he slid into a solid object from the side? I'd be willing to put money on it -- his injuries are perfectly consistent with 30. (Not to mention that I expect we would have heard differently if the *witnessing* LEO saw it different).

$0.02 deposited.

 

Sorry for your lose and the pain you going through. Thanks for the blow by blow description of the accident. Watch out for the black ice. Get well soon!

 

damn bro im sorry. god bless you and your family

 

Sorry to hear about your vette. But I am glad to hear you made it out in one piece and able to tell us about it. Now down to buisness will there be a parting out of said vette? If so I need a passenger side rear quarter and passenger side inner fender. Jason

 

Get well soon