Last monday afternoon, on my way back to my aparment here in Tallahassee from my home in Lake Alfred (a 4 and a half hour drive), I was involved in a car accident. I was turning left onto the road that my apartment sits on... well - to save me typing and you reading the rest, just watch this...
The strike spun me around at least twice, and we ended up on the corner of the intersection. Both cars were totalled. (not officially by insurance yet, but you can just tell.)
Legally, even though he sped back up to beat the yellow (which is a ticketable offense in Florida), I was at fault since I was crossing his right-of-way, and the police officer at the scene was kind enough to give ME a ticket for failure to yield to remind me. I'm taking the class, though, so the four points don't stay on my license and the fine is reduced by 18%.
I was able to walk away with no apparent injuries at the time, as was the driver of the Ranger. I missed the next 2 days of school as some huge bruises in the shape of a seatbelt started to appear and take their toll. I also apparently twisted my knee pretty badly, but all that's getting better now.
The beetle did exactly what it was designed to do. Even though the airbags didn't deploy (can't figure that one out yet), the body deflected all of the energy around the cabin, and nothing was pushed towards me inside. The roof rails were twisted at points, and the driver's side was flared out a little, showing where the energy from the crash was sent.
I'm now rolling in a green-on-cream 2000 Jetta GLS 2.0L that we were lucky to find in mint condition for $8400. I'll post up some pics of her once I get some decent ones taken.
Here's some pics of the carnage...
So rest in peace my beetle friend. You might be gone but you won't ever be forgotten. Thanks for keeping me alive.
To the Org:
Thanks for everything over the last 3 years. Your help, handiwork and comments inspired me to see that the NB was so much more than just a car. My NB love is by no means dead, and I plan to stay a member of the org community, helping out wherever I can. Looking back, I got a lot accomplished with my NB, and a lot of it was due to your help, so thank you as well.
The strike spun me around at least twice, and we ended up on the corner of the intersection. Both cars were totalled. (not officially by insurance yet, but you can just tell.)
Legally, even though he sped back up to beat the yellow (which is a ticketable offense in Florida), I was at fault since I was crossing his right-of-way, and the police officer at the scene was kind enough to give ME a ticket for failure to yield to remind me. I'm taking the class, though, so the four points don't stay on my license and the fine is reduced by 18%.
I was able to walk away with no apparent injuries at the time, as was the driver of the Ranger. I missed the next 2 days of school as some huge bruises in the shape of a seatbelt started to appear and take their toll. I also apparently twisted my knee pretty badly, but all that's getting better now.
The beetle did exactly what it was designed to do. Even though the airbags didn't deploy (can't figure that one out yet), the body deflected all of the energy around the cabin, and nothing was pushed towards me inside. The roof rails were twisted at points, and the driver's side was flared out a little, showing where the energy from the crash was sent.
I'm now rolling in a green-on-cream 2000 Jetta GLS 2.0L that we were lucky to find in mint condition for $8400. I'll post up some pics of her once I get some decent ones taken.
Here's some pics of the carnage...
So rest in peace my beetle friend. You might be gone but you won't ever be forgotten. Thanks for keeping me alive.
To the Org:
Thanks for everything over the last 3 years. Your help, handiwork and comments inspired me to see that the NB was so much more than just a car. My NB love is by no means dead, and I plan to stay a member of the org community, helping out wherever I can. Looking back, I got a lot accomplished with my NB, and a lot of it was due to your help, so thank you as well.