Mazda vs. Tractor Trailer
 

Here are some pics of what happened when my little Mazda pick-up met with a tractor trailer.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...itchtruck2.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...itchtruck1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-...itchtruck3.jpg

I was able to walk away. Quick visit to the hospital and I was cleared to go home.

Yikes.

Consider yourself lucky. Most people that meet up with 18 wheelers don't get the chance to talk about it.

Jeez -- as FastShark said, consider yourself very lucky. I was unfortunate enough to witness a small sedan getting sucked underneath the rear wheels of a gas tanker some months back, and no one in the sedan walked away from that.

You got very lucky. I recommend going to buy a lottery ticket as soon as possible.

I was out surveying the damage right after it happened. Hit him in the side right in the rear wheels of the cab. I bounced sideways and ended up sitting at the stop sign of the cross street. I was doing about 45mph when I made contact.

So, what exactly happened? Glad you're OK.

Very foggy morning. Came over a rise and could not see the bottom of the hill. The tractor trailer was making a left turn out of a side road across the road I was on. He got hit from the opposite side by another car and was just sitting across the road. It was a silver/gray tanker truck and no flares or anyone out warning other cars. I didn't see it until I was about 100' from him. Wet road, I had no chance to stop. Tried to turn towards the bank but just slid pretty much in a straight line. You can see from the damage I did get the truck angled a little before I made contact.

Scraped my arms on the steering wheel, got a face full of airbag, and smashed my knee on something. My knee still bothers me 6 months later but its getting better.

The funny thing was that I had a full cup of coffee sitting next to me. Once the action stopped and I was getting out of the truck I felt warm and wet across my belly. I looked down to see how bad the bleeding was and realized the coffee splashed all over me. That got pretty cold while I was waiting for the ambulance.

ouch.. at least you are ok.. what are you planning on replacing the truck with?

Already replaced it. Got a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT now. It spretty sweet and the whole family fits.

damn you got lucky. Pickups are tuff in front end accidents. I totalled my 2002 Dakota a year ago when a Jeep decided to turn left in front of me. I hit the Jeep head on and walked away w/ only some bruises. I was so impressed w/ the way my truck held up that I bought a 2003

That is the secong truck I totalled. I ended up upside down in the middle of the highway with the first. Walked away from that one too.

I would have bought another truck but needed more inside room for the growing family. I think I got the next best thing.

Ouch.