Rollover accident

smokey7722

smokey7722

New member
Hey all, this is the first time I'm posting here, but have been a long time reader. I had an '03 Sport that I purchased on Sept. 1st of this year and I loved it. Last Sunday (10/30) I fell asleep at the wheel while driving at 75mph on a highway. The end result was me flipping the truck completely and landing back on the wheels on the side of the highway.

After my initial scare and I calmed down I was able to really see what happened. When it landed and I attempted to get out, I noticed I wasn't bleeding and didn't have any cuts/bruises at all. I was able to literally just open the driver side door without any real trouble at all and I just walked out of the car. When I looked at this thing, the front end was practically gone (lower portion, approx. an inch or two below the airbag sensors which hadn't gone off - the bumper skin was a few feet ahead of the car sitting on the ground), the right of the vehicle side was destroyed, the front left tire was blown and the axle looked bad. As to the rear of the vehicle, when I had flipped, ALL the weight was at one point on the left portion of the roof back there, and it was literally smashed down to where the gas caps height used to be.

I have to say, if this truck wasn't designed as well as it was I probably would not be able to post this right now. I sustained practically no injuries and I am in minor discomfort with my back and neck. Thats it. I didn't even need xrays or any medication. This was my first vehicle and I think Toyota just gained a customer for life.

I guess I'm glad I didn't install my 5495 Eclipse yet or any other major modifications I was planning on doing.
 
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Wow, what you described sounded like a HORRIBLE accident. I'm glad you made it out without any visible injuries. I would suggest that you go ahead and get thoroughly checked out by a doctor though. Better safe than sorry.

See this video: http://www.cars.com/go/video/wmIndex.jsp

Under Crash Test Video, Select Toyota 4Runner 40-MPH

I know it isn't nearly what you and your truck went through, but it gives a nice visual.

As you can see in the video, the cabin doesn't seem to take any damage. The engine crumples and absorbs all the force of the crash.
 
sharp4runr said:
Wow, what you described sounded like a HORRIBLE accident. I'm glad you made it out without any visible injuries. I would suggest that you go ahead and get thoroughly checked out by a doctor though. Better safe than sorry.

See this video: http://www.cars.com/go/video/wmIndex.jsp

Under Crash Test Video, Select Toyota 4Runner 40-MPH

I know it isn't nearly what you and your truck went through, but it gives a nice visual.

As you can see in the video, the cabin doesn't seem to take any damage. The engine crumples and absorbs all the force of the crash.
Click to expand...

Yea, it was horrible. I was taken from teh site via ambulance even though I felt fine. I was backboarded and everything. My father had been rear ended years ago in a 2nd gen and he felt fine right then but in a day or so he found out he had permanant nerve damage. I wasn't chancing anything like that so I went to the hospital.

I had seen that video when it was posted previously. I was impressed with it and the odd thing was I never thought I would require it. But who does? I didn't hit dead on in the front, my front right hit the rock lined irrigation ditch on the right side of the highway and the ditches incline pushed me upwards on an angle and flipped me. The front end still looked almost that bad though.
 
Glad to hear you're OK. This may be inappropriate but do you have any pics.? I think it would interesting to see how the 4Runner saved your life!

Koz
 
Koz said:
Glad to hear you're OK. This may be inappropriate but do you have any pics.? I think it would interesting to see how the 4Runner saved your life!

Koz
Click to expand...

Oh good, it's not just me with the morbid curiosity...

smokey7722, I am glad you came out OK. Makes me feel VERY good about my vehicle choice this year. As Koz said, it would be very interesting to see some pics if you have any, so we can all appreciate the safety of a T4R.
 
smokey7722 said:
Hey all, this is the first time I'm posting here, but have been a long time reader. I had an '03 Sport that I purchased on Sept. 1st of this year and I loved it. Last Sunday (10/30) I fell asleep at the wheel while driving at 75mph on a highway. The end result was me flipping the truck completely and landing back on the wheels on the side of the highway.

After my initial scare and I calmed down I was able to really see what happened. When it landed and I attempted to get out, I noticed I wasn't bleeding and didn't have any cuts/bruises at all. I was able to literally just open the driver side door without any real trouble at all and I just walked out of the car. When I looked at this thing, the front end was practically gone (lower portion, approx. an inch or two below the airbag sensors which hadn't gone off - the bumper skin was a few feet ahead of the car sitting on the ground), the right of the vehicle side was destroyed, the front left tire was blown and the axle looked bad. As to the rear of the vehicle, when I had flipped, ALL the weight was at one point on the left portion of the roof back there, and it was literally smashed down to where the gas caps height used to be.

I have to say, if this truck wasn't designed as well as it was I probably would not be able to post this right now. I sustained practically no injuries and I am in minor discomfort with my back and neck. Thats it. I didn't even need xrays or any medication. This was my first vehicle and I think Toyota just gained a customer for life.

I guess I'm glad I didn't install my 5495 Eclipse yet or any other major modifications I was planning on doing.
Click to expand...

So sorry to hear that this happens to you. The good point is that you're fine. You can buy a new truck, but you never can buy your health.
 
I did this once back in 1997. I was driving my friend's 1992 Honda Prelude. We were drivign from DC to New Orleans when I fell asleep with the cruise control set at 70 MPH. We both survived in spite of him not having a seatbelt on.

Needless to say, I now refuse to drive if I am even remotely sleepy. Drivign when you are tired is just as bad as driving when you are drunk.

Glad you are ok.
 
I am glad you are OK.
Some one else have asked pictures so I don't have to.

I witnessed a lady flipped during a wet day and was managing to get out of her Honda CRV window. I always bring my digital camera but didn't get chance to take a picture of her. I may find a similiar picture and will have it posted.

Picture is hard evidence.
 
accident

smokey7722 said:
Yea, it was horrible. I was taken from teh site via ambulance even though I felt fine. I was backboarded and everything. My father had been rear ended years ago in a 2nd gen and he felt fine right then but in a day or so he found out he had permanant nerve damage. I wasn't chancing anything like that so I went to the hospital.

I had seen that video when it was posted previously. I was impressed with it and the odd thing was I never thought I would require it. But who does? I didn't hit dead on in the front, my front right hit the rock lined irrigation ditch on the right side of the highway and the ditches incline pushed me upwards on an angle and flipped me. The front end still looked almost that bad though.
Click to expand...

WOW! as I read the first lines of your initail post, I was thinking you were writting them from your laptop at the hospital.. I am glad you came out unharmed.
In a poetic way, the truck sacrificed it self to allow you to live on in full health, buy another 4th gen and take it out for fun rides offroading. This will be the best way you can say thanks to such noble machine.

would you be able to salvage the rims or anything else from the truck? or does the insurance company dispose of it and you see nothing from it ever again? curious.

Glad you are ok:)
 
Koz said:
Glad to hear you're OK. This may be inappropriate but do you have any pics.? I think it would interesting to see how the 4Runner saved your life!

Koz
Click to expand...

No problem, I was considering saying I don't have the pictures yet in the original post. I am waiting on the car shop to send me then, in addition to Geico. I will have pictures from the car shop tomorrow in my email hopefully and Geico should follow.
 
I am glad to hear you were not injured. It sounds like it was a horrific accident. This must be one bullet proof truck if you came out uninjured without the airbags even deploying. Assuming this truck is totaled, are you going to replace it with another 4Runner?
 
Mark86 said:
I am glad to hear you were not injured. It sounds like it was a horrific accident. This must be one bullet proof truck if you came out uninjured without the airbags even deploying. Assuming this truck is totaled, are you going to replace it with another 4Runner?
Click to expand...

I couldn't believe how safe the safety cage really was. The most damage inside there was the small removable items and moveable items either breaking or coming lose (like the console lid which its cover broke off, or my xm unit clipped onto a vent, or the console center unclipping and just sitting there). Other than that, the right door was jammed in and damaged so much that the glove compartment could no be opened by hand and I had to pry it open to get my belongings out. The inside was incredibly strong though.

According to the adjustor last night, the car is totaled (which I expected) and it will be moved to the Rochester Geico impound lot. I should have a call in the beginning of the week from their adjustor who will put a value on it and begin the process of paying it off (then I get to deal with Gap insurance).

My sister works at a Toyota dealership in my parents area (Gilbertsville, PA) and I originally purchased this 4runner used from them 2 months ago. After this experience I WILL be purchasing another Toyota and the only thing I am thinking about now is whether v6 4runner (had an 8 previously) or a Highlander Hybrid. I am leaning towards the 4runner for a lot of reasons though. Either tonight or tomorrow I may head up to test drive them both and price them up. Thats as long as I can get comfortable in teh driver seat again. I don't want to wait too long to start driving again.
 
I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I was in a head on collision back in feb 04 in my old 97 T4R and was very surprised at how well she held up. My accident was no where near as bad as yours but I was nervous to get back into the saddle for several days. I remember the feeling. I'm glad to hear you are safe with no serious injuries. All else can be replaced in time.
 
Well I finally got some info from Geico as to possible estimate they will pay and also their pics. In regards to the pictures, they were taking by a Geico adjuster. The accident to recap was a full rollover at 75mph. Looking back at the vehicle, it really is amazing how much damage it took and how little it really shifted, which saved my life.

The pics are uploaded here

The estimate from geico surprised me slightly. I paid about 27500 for the 03 4runner Sport w/35000 miles 60 days ago. Since then I had put about 8300 miles on it, so it had 43000 miles on it the day of the accident. They quoted me $26800 for it. Well first off, 700 bucks off isn't that bad. Second, thats what the gap insurance is for.

Now that they have a total loss estimate posted, hopefully I might get this paid out soon so I can get it replaced. I am startin to get ancy and I hate relying on others to borrow their car or get rides.
 
Last edited:
smokey...
that is one serious accident. I'm surprised to see how well the cabin held together. As mentioned earlier...all this metal can be replaced. the good news is you are still in one piece with no major injuries. Glad to hear you're alright.
PS: thanks for sharing these pics.
 
toyota tough

i sold toyotas for 5 yrs in the early 90s , i always stressed toyotas duribility, well this is what i always talked about, i just got a used 95 for pleasure, i have an acura also, but these toyotas, what more can you say
bob in philly
p/s back then i always stressed that my car was not as pretty as a honda or nissan, not as plush on inside, but built better and a better value. but todays toyotas are more plush
 
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