I was in a car accident Tuesday the 14th, I Totaled my 99 New Beetle. I got out of the hospital the 18th
I was traveling home about 4pm doing about 60 mph on HWY 276 in Rockwall. A two lane blacktop road, with shoulders, when an 18 wheel dump truck decided he needed to pull out in front of me crossing the road and turning toward me. I hit the brakes hard, but the antilock brakes didn't seem to stop me fast enough, so added some E-brake too. Probably the dirt on the road from construction work was a factor.
I ended up hitting his rear wheels. Thank god, for if I had hit in front of them, I would have been decapitated or run over by the rear wheels and killed. The officers after looking at the car said this should have been a fatality accident.
The paramedics said I seemed fine, was hopping round on one leg, Left was really swelling up. They didn't think if was broke but might be a torn ligament. So go to the hospital and have it x-rayed. Or they would take me.
We had the car towed home, and we went on to the hospital. I was admitted after the doc looked at my x-ray. It was shattered. I thought I hit the knee on the dash, but I must have braced myself and shattered the joint.
The engine and Trans are leaking fluid, so I bet they are both broken, The air bags went off, saving my life. But it was like being hit by a 400lb lineman right in the chest. I couldn't hardly breath for a minute. It knocked the breath out of me. I jumped out looking for my phone, to call Dora, 911 and it was over on the passenger side, between the seat and door, My sunglasses flew from my head to the rear parcel tray.
All seems pretty good right now, I'm on crutches, can't put any weight on the left leg for 3 months. Then start therepy. I'm wearing a brace on the knee to keep it immobile. Spend most the time in bed, with it propped up. Will do therapy for a few months, hope to return to work soon but won't be able to do any of my regular duties, of lifting heavy equipment up into racks and moving it round. I'll have to sit!
Thanks for the phone calls, cards, balloons, etc.
I hope to be back in a New, New Beetle soon.
This one saved my life, I trust them totally.
They weren't kidding when they said the New Beetle was one of the safest cars on the market.
I believe it saved my life.
Here are pix of the car.
If your not squeamish, check out the Knee pictures on the bottom
Rear view mirror has come off the ceiling and is dangling. Windshield survived, Pretty much everything from that back is ok.
Click on the Blue Description Links for Pix!
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The following are pretty Gruesome, Not for squeamish!
Stitches etc.
