Flipped my truck at 65 mph

[RonJR]

A woman hit my daughter and son-in-law the same way in their '97 3rd gen. Only difference was it was raining, so instead of flipping, the vehicle just skidded, did a 270 degree spin, and smashed the front end into a guard rail. One of the times when a slick highway was a good thing. I often thought afterwards that, had the road been dry, they would have ended up upside down.

The vehicle was actually still drive-able, although the insurance company totaled it. My son bought it for salvage, replaced the bumper and turn signals, straightened out some other sheet metal, and is still driving it.

 

[DCT4R]

Wow glad to hear you and your wife are ok.. I had a similar experience last year on the hwy where I got caught up in a multicar crash that completely totaled out my rig. I'm glad to hear the 3rd gen is pretty tough despite not having the safety features of modern day vehicles..

 

[Friday88]

A woman hit my daughter and son-in-law the same way in their '97 3rd gen. Only difference was it was raining, so instead of flipping, the vehicle just skidded, did a 270 degree spin, and smashed the front end into a guard rail. One of the times when a slick highway was a good thing. I often thought afterwards that, had the road been dry, they would have ended up upside down.

The vehicle was actually still drive-able, although the insurance company totaled it. My son bought it for salvage, replaced the bumper and turn signals, straightened out some other sheet metal, and is still driving it.

My wife and I have been debating if we had been in her Honda Fit whether the car would even have flipped. We would have hit the guard rail with the nose of the car, but I think it would have only skidded.

When I lived in Illinois there were a handful of times during the winter where I lost control in rainy/icey/snowy conditions, but recovered just fine. actually became proud of it. If your not moving too fast or towards a dangerous obstacle, sliding in low traction conditions is always preferable to dry conditions I think. You have twice as much time to figure out where you wheels need to be because they aren't trying to direct you, and if you get it wrong you have a second to realize and fix it.

 

[RonJR]

The other thing I've wondered after reading this is, would a vehicle with stability control, such as a 4th or 5th gen 4runner with VSC, be able to recover from something like this? I believe that VSC is primarily designed for slick conditions, but I would guess it would try to correct a dry road skid and could potentially pull it out.

 

[Friday88]

The other thing I've wondered after reading this is, would a vehicle with stability control, such as a 4th or 5th gen 4runner with VSC, be able to recover from something like this? I believe that VSC is primarily designed for slick conditions, but I would guess it would try to correct a dry road skid and could potentially pull it out.

I don't think so. Honestly I think this was caused by me over correcting to the right. I wasn't pointing THAT far left after the initial hit. I probably could have made it into the next lane and regained grip by that time.

 

[SaulG]

The person who hit us left the scene, but witnesses apparently got his license plate. The officer who took my information said he planned to go to this persons home and get his information.
]

Hopefully that is enough for your insurance to take care of you. What about the other driver leaving the scene?

 

[Unner]

Glad you made it out ok!

Hopefully the other driver has the same happen to him, but with a semi. Being an absolutely terrible driver is one thing, causing an accident that could have killed someone and leaving the scene is inexcusable. Human garbage.

 

[Mark_BC]

My wife and I have been debating if we had been in her Honda Fit whether the car would even have flipped. We would have hit the guard rail with the nose of the car, but I think it would have only skidded.

When I lived in Illinois there were a handful of times during the winter where I lost control in rainy/icey/snowy conditions, but recovered just fine. actually became proud of it. If your not moving too fast or towards a dangerous obstacle, sliding in low traction conditions is always preferable to dry conditions I think. You have twice as much time to figure out where you wheels need to be because they aren't trying to direct you, and if you get it wrong you have a second to realize and fix it.

When I was a teenager we would go up the mountain and do donuts in the ski hill parking lot. It was actually really good practise on how cars handle in a slide. Our house had a REALLY steep driveway and once I tried to drive up it in the 4WD '84 Tercel in deep snow and couldn't quite make it. It started sliding back down and twisting. Disaster was imminent. My time doing donuts kicked in and I immediately released the brake and allowed it to correct. The girl watching this from the street said, "good recovery".

Now I think the ski hill parking patrol people chase after kids doing donuts, too bad.

 

[JayRolla]

When I was a teenager we would go up the mountain and do donuts in the ski hill parking lot. It was actually really good practise on how cars handle in a slide. Our house had a REALLY steep driveway and once I tried to drive up it in the 4WD '84 Tercel in deep snow and couldn't quite make it. It started sliding back down and twisting. Disaster was imminent. My time doing donuts kicked in and I immediately released the brake and allowed it to correct. The girl watching this from the street said, "good recovery".

Now I think the ski hill parking patrol people chase after kids doing donuts, too bad.

OP glad you guys are save and okay. Still many could have gotten hurt. In your situation I don't think you could recover the slide. Those pit maneuvers work well.

So many people don't know what to do when they get into a slide. I also grew up doing donuts in snow and dirt. Also would rally race my Subaru at construction sites. I grew up drag racing on the street (not anymore) and all the knowledge is very helpful in driving emergencies.

I also have my wife practice slides and do donuts in snowy parking lots. At first she was scared now she is a pro. It really helps.

 

[JWaldz]

Wow, what bullsh*t...

It would piss me off so much if someone did that to me. I would be doing everything I can to press charges.

Glad you guys are ok, though! Sorry to see the runner go. Good luck with everything.

 

[Friday88]

Hopefully that is enough for your insurance to take care of you. What about the other driver leaving the scene?

Insurance should be taking care of me. They are towing the truck to their facility today to asess it, and my claims person is supposed to call me after with their decision and an offer. I had a motorcycle stolen once, which had full coverage, and my insurance company ended up giving me more than I had actually paid for the bike. My wife said I was lucky, but I thought maybe they were just trying to do good business. This time however, I'm a bit worried about the offer I might get. 4runners in phoenix are expensive, and I hope they are considering that. I paid $4700 for this truck with 212,000 miles on it, and with sun damaged paint and dented rear hatch. This same truck would have probably sold for $3,000 had it been in Iowa or something. I'm actually looking at 4runners in chicago right now. I found one with 145k miles listed for $3,400 and it looks super clean with minimal rust. I could buy that truck, fly out there and drive it home and still be under $4k lol

When I was a teenager we would go up the mountain and do donuts in the ski hill parking lot. It was actually really good practise on how cars handle in a slide. Our house had a REALLY steep driveway and once I tried to drive up it in the 4WD '84 Tercel in deep snow and couldn't quite make it. It started sliding back down and twisting. Disaster was imminent. My time doing donuts kicked in and I immediately released the brake and allowed it to correct. The girl watching this from the street said, "good recovery".

Now I think the ski hill parking patrol people chase after kids doing donuts, too bad.

I used to go "snow drifting" all the time haha. it DEFINITELY improved my reaction when losing control and my understanding of how my car behaved in those situations.

Wow, what bullsh*t...

It would piss me off so much if someone did that to me. I would be doing everything I can to press charges.

Glad you guys are ok, though! Sorry to see the runner go. Good luck with everything.

The charge was a misdemeanor though. I just don't know if it's worth my time. i'd rather stick the guy with my $750 deductible and leave it alone.

 

[JWaldz]

The charge was a misdemeanor though. I just don't know if it's worth my time. i'd rather stick the guy with my $750 deductible and leave it alone.

I think it is.. I mean, I know you guys weren't seriously hurt but the wreck did cause some injury, which by law, a felony can be given depending on state.

Regardless of a felony or a misdemeanor, they're license will likely be revoked for a min. of 6 months and in some cases revocation up to 3 years. To me, it's worth it to make it a living hell for them.

Even though you guys got super lucky in the wreck, I'd treat this the same as if you were seriously injured. They won't "learn their lesson" if you let them off by just paying a deductible. They need to be kept from doing this again, and possibly killing someone.

Do what your comfortable with obviously, but for me if someone caused me all this trouble and put me and my wife in harm, they'd be getting it back 10 fold.

 

[ridefast]

I'm glad you are OK!

Yeah go after that insurance company for a ton of money. Just be patient and dont budge on what they will pay out for the total loss of your 4Runner/pain and suffering . I bet this is at least a $15,000 claim that you can walk away with.

 

[Friday88]

I'm glad you are OK!

Yeah go after that insurance company for a ton of money. Just be patient and dont budge on what they will pay out for the total loss of your 4Runner/pain and suffering . I bet this is at least a $15,000 claim that you can walk away with.

$15,000 claim? How did you determine that number? the truck wasn't worth that and we don't have actual medical bills, but if you know something I don't then I'm listening lol

 

[Friday88]

I think it is.. I mean, I know you guys weren't seriously hurt but the wreck did cause some injury, which by law, a felony can be given depending on state.

Regardless of a felony or a misdemeanor, they're license will likely be revoked for a min. of 6 months and in some cases revocation up to 3 years. To me, it's worth it to make it a living hell for them.

Even though you guys got super lucky in the wreck, I'd treat this the same as if you were seriously injured. They won't "learn their lesson" if you let them off by just paying a deductible. They need to be kept from doing this again, and possibly killing someone.

Do what your comfortable with obviously, but for me if someone caused me all this trouble and put me and my wife in harm, they'd be getting it back 10 fold.

I think it's too late to change my mind on it, I already signed the paperwork declining it. This person probably doesn't have insurance/ a license so when they are found they could be charged for that I think. I mainly didn't want to take time off work for this and testify and all of that, but in retrospect I should try to **** this person. I've dealt with 2 motorcycle thefts and I feel like I may be more numb to this sort of thing that the average person. Generally I have have a pretty bad temper so I'm not sure why I'm so calm about this...

 

[Mark_BC]

$15,000 claim? How did you determine that number? the truck wasn't worth that and we don't have actual medical bills, but if you know something I don't then I'm listening lol

I would think pain suffering and stress from a near death experience would be worth something... plus the time and effort to buy another 4runner and customize it similar to your previous truck. I know what my time is worth in $$ and all those activities would add up pretty fast.

 

[Friday88]

I would think pain suffering and stress from a near death experience would be worth something... plus the time and effort to buy another 4runner and customize it similar to your previous truck. I know what my time is worth in $$ and all those activities would add up pretty fast.

I don't know if that's something that can be negotiated, but we'll see I guess. I feel like if they gave me that much, my rates would go up for sure haha

 

[RAD4Runner]

Glad to know you're OK, and am hoping you find your replacement 3rd Gen.
Remember to double-check the lower ball-joints on it.
I also hope that hit-and-run driver goes to jail.

 

[SnowLizard]

sorry for the loss friday, but I'm happy you only lost the 4runner and nothing else more important.

Our valley is full of 'inconsiderate' people. I do hope the driver looses their license, I know I would like them to have a 'misdemeanor' for fleeing a scene... that can mess up a lot of work opportunities that they would learn from.

your wifes neck and wrist, make sure to have them checked out, my wife had a fracture for 16 months! before getting checked out and getting it immobilized properly for it to heal correctly, which took 4 months cause it was bad form the 16 months of wear/tear.

GL and hope you and yours stay safe.

 

[Friday88]

We went to doctor last night to get a second opinion.

She has:
Sore muscle tissue in her neck.
Bruising on her shoulder, chest, and stomach from the seat belt
Bruising on her right knee from the door panel
Pain in her wrist isn't a fracture, but she recalls putting her hand onto the roof when we rolled so it may have been stressed that way.
A bruised toe.

I have:
Sore muscle tissue in my neck
Slight rash on my neck from the seat belt
Bruise on the back of my left shoulder (no idea why)
Bruise on my head from a beer can
Bruise on my left knee from the door panel

We both agree that we've felt worse from a long day hike. According to the doctor nothing appears to be wrong. I had a splitting headache the night of the crash, but after a nights sleep it never came back. The doctor said it was due to me consuming 4 of the beers that afternoon while adrenaline was still in my body, which I didn't know was a thing.