Head-on collision - not for the faint of heart
11-08-2004, 10:56 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Head-on collision - not for the faint of heart
Sunday, November 7, 2004, I was enjoying the beautiful weather here in eastern Oklahoma driving my 1974 454 convertible. I had my three-year-old son with me. After we put gas in the car, he said "No" to the question "Do you want to go home?" So, like any good dad would, we proceeded to take a cruise. It was about 4:10 p.m.
A purple Plymouth mini-van pulled out in front of me and proceeded towards me in my lane. We hit head-on. I hit the windshield header with my forehead. My son managed to get a scrape on his forehead somehow, but it must have been his hands or something close - he had a 5-point harness on in his car seat. I had just a lap belt. In 1974 convertibles, shoulder harnesses were an option, and my otherwise well-optioned car didn't have it.
The police estimated our collision around 30 mph. I had the brakes locked up for several feet - I'd estimate over 25 feet. The air bags in the minivan deployed, and the two females in the car weren't injured.
Thank-you to all who have contributed to my questions, directly or indirectly, while I was doing the brake and suspension rebuild project a few winters ago. The brakes worked about as well as one would have expected.
My son is fine. And after 3 x-rays, a cat-scan, and 7 hours in ER mostly waiting around, I'm OK too, aside from the bump on the forehead. I'm taking a day off to recuperate. And along with the headache I'm a bit sore, but not too bad. I always gave advice to those in a car wreck - go home and soak in hot water, even if you feel fine. I did, and I'm not needing the prescribed muscle relaxers today.
Now for the pictures - I warned you.
And for the record, it was a mostly-original and numbers-matching 1974 big-block convertible in great condition.
The passenger-side door won't open. I may have to hit-up VetteDan for the harness bar to get shoulder restraints.
And now that the people are all accounted for and OK, I get to start the most painful part of this ordeal - the insurance claim. Fortunately for me, the other party received a ticket and did have liability insurance.
More to come. Thanks, GM
A purple Plymouth mini-van pulled out in front of me and proceeded towards me in my lane. We hit head-on. I hit the windshield header with my forehead. My son managed to get a scrape on his forehead somehow, but it must have been his hands or something close - he had a 5-point harness on in his car seat. I had just a lap belt. In 1974 convertibles, shoulder harnesses were an option, and my otherwise well-optioned car didn't have it.
The police estimated our collision around 30 mph. I had the brakes locked up for several feet - I'd estimate over 25 feet. The air bags in the minivan deployed, and the two females in the car weren't injured.
Thank-you to all who have contributed to my questions, directly or indirectly, while I was doing the brake and suspension rebuild project a few winters ago. The brakes worked about as well as one would have expected.
My son is fine. And after 3 x-rays, a cat-scan, and 7 hours in ER mostly waiting around, I'm OK too, aside from the bump on the forehead. I'm taking a day off to recuperate. And along with the headache I'm a bit sore, but not too bad. I always gave advice to those in a car wreck - go home and soak in hot water, even if you feel fine. I did, and I'm not needing the prescribed muscle relaxers today.
Now for the pictures - I warned you.
And for the record, it was a mostly-original and numbers-matching 1974 big-block convertible in great condition.
The passenger-side door won't open. I may have to hit-up VetteDan for the harness bar to get shoulder restraints.
And now that the people are all accounted for and OK, I get to start the most painful part of this ordeal - the insurance claim. Fortunately for me, the other party received a ticket and did have liability insurance.
More to come. Thanks, GM
11-08-2004, 10:59 AM
#2
Sorry to hear that, what is it with the back luck streak here on the forum 
I hope you can get the car fixed, luckily you and your son got off reasonably well, it could have been much worse.
I hope you can get the car fixed, luckily you and your son got off reasonably well, it could have been much worse.
Last edited by Twin_Turbo; 11-08-2004 at 11:07 AM.
11-08-2004, 11:04 AM
#3
Safety Car
Firstly I am glad you and your son are OK, thats always the single most important thing.
Make sure you stay on top of the insurance company, and return the vette to its former glory.
Now the obvious question, why the hell where two women in a mini van
coming towards you travelling in the wrong direction?
cheers,
Nick
Make sure you stay on top of the insurance company, and return the vette to its former glory.
Now the obvious question, why the hell where two women in a mini van
coming towards you travelling in the wrong direction?
cheers,
Nick
11-08-2004, 11:12 AM
#5
Team Owner
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Life is so fragile. The braking probably saved both of you. Glad all is well. The vette can be replaced. 
11-08-2004, 11:14 AM
#6
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Wow, I am glad that your son is okay. My wife wont let my three year old daughter ride in the Vette. She thinks that kids should be in the back seat and if a car doesn't have a back seat then its not for kids.
11-08-2004, 11:39 AM
#9
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Originally Posted by patsnitrovette
Im glad you and the son are ok,cars can be fixed or replaced but lives cant.
Glad you and your son are ok. Hopefully you make out all right with the insurnace company.
11-08-2004, 11:55 AM
#10
Drifting
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So that's what it looks like when our cars hit something hard! So glad you and the little one are OK . . . . . and there I was driving mine yesterday with no seats. Just me though. Take care and enjoy your next Vette.
11-08-2004, 12:25 PM
#12
Having three kids of my own, two of which have been in rides with me and the '79, I'm glad to hear everyone is ok. Those car seats work very well. If anyone hasn't mentioned this, but the car seat needs to be thrown out. The manufacturers generally does not want it reused after an accident. FYI for others with car seats.
Have fun with the insurance company, they usually work fast so you don't have time to do your own research.
Good Luck.
Have fun with the insurance company, they usually work fast so you don't have time to do your own research.
Good Luck.
11-08-2004, 12:41 PM
#13
Pro
What a shame. God to hear you're O.K. Good luck with the insurance claim. It'll probably be tough to get it rebuilt with equivalent quality parts. The insurance company will likely try to stick you with junkyard parts, but don't weaken. Hopefully the minivan driver will experience justice. Sounds like there was no excuse for her behaviour.
Good luck with the insurance company.
11-08-2004, 04:31 PM
#19
Race Director
Originally Posted by JewliaGoulia
Well... I don't know what else I can say, that the others haven't already said! Glad you and your son are OK, and hopefully everything car wise will work out in the end.
Jewl
JewliaGoulia@aol.com
Jewl
JewliaGoulia@aol.com
11-08-2004, 04:58 PM
#20
Team Owner
That must of been a horrifying experience. Thank goodness you and the son are well!
The comment about just lap belts and the bump on the head really strikes home. After driving a 1979 with a three-point harness for many years I switched to a 1967. Those lap belts gave me the heebie-jeebies. So last winter I went with the shoulder belts as well. This past driving season I felt much more secure.
Good luck with the insurance folks! Insist on GM replacement panels.
The comment about just lap belts and the bump on the head really strikes home. After driving a 1979 with a three-point harness for many years I switched to a 1967. Those lap belts gave me the heebie-jeebies. So last winter I went with the shoulder belts as well. This past driving season I felt much more secure.
Good luck with the insurance folks! Insist on GM replacement panels.
Last edited by Paul L; 11-08-2004 at 05:08 PM.