[Prospero]

Well, this is a post I never thought I would be making. It seems just as soon as I get the car 90% of the way done, it has to go. Not my choice in the matter though! The car is undoubtedly totaled. Gone. Melba toast! Anyone in the general DC metro area on Sunday December 16th trying to go south on I-270 was likely stuck in the mess. Had I-270 South closed for almost an hour!) At 1:11 PM as I was on my way to Bethesda from Frederick in my beloved 850 T5, just cruising. Then a wonderful guy in a Chevy Silverado decided he wanted the lane I was in regardless of my presence. Since two solid objects cannot occupy the same are at the same time…you got it! Enter his left bumper and bed of the truck into my right fender and wheel. I figure since I was going about 70 and he came up on me like I was standing still, then he was doing about 85-90. He hit me so hard that I began to spin. I can't remember which way first but it was one hell of a ride. I recall seeing cars go off in every direction as well as the truck hit the wall. With the left most lane being lane 1 and the right most lane being lane 4, I started in lane 2 and ended backwards against the wall in lane 4. I can't recall the driver's side front hitting the wall but I do remember everything after that. As you can tell by the pictures, 3 of the 4 corners of my 850 are damaged. The right rear never made contact but is rippled from the impact to the left rear. The parts which I can remember the best though; are when the rear hit the wall and then the car slammed sideways against the wall and finally ground to a halt. (Poor Titans, they were the parts against the wall.) I recall looking at the dash and seeing all the lights were on. (Figure going backwards while in drive at speed stalled the motor.) So anyhow, I looked out the passenger window at all of these cars going everywhere! I could not believe that no one else was hit! But that was just the beginning of it all. I noticed the truck that hit me was catching on fire! I saw the driver trying to get out and also saw other people running to help him and me. There must have been 8 or more people at my car banging on the windows to see if I was okay. I would say about the same on his side of 270 as well. Weird part is I don't remember ever seeing a passenger in his truck. But nevertheless there were people directing traffic and trying to put out the fire. Just people and cars everywhere! Total mess. Well I called 911 as soon as my mind came back to me. Talked to them for some time and they asked if I was okay. Hell, I was numb and shocked, what kind of question is that to be asking me!? Like I knew if I was okay or not! So they kept asking questions about the scene until the EMTs arrived. That's when they asked me to see if I could stand or not. I ended up climbing out of the driver's side window. Walked over the hood and finally got to the ground. Yep, I was sore but not bleeding. Thank God! From then everything else was just EMTs checking me out and then insisting I go in the ambulance. I still refused treatment; I didn't want to leave the scene. I was there shocked at what had happened. I couldn't believe what was going on and the quantity of people and fire trucks. Just absolutely insane! Between the witnesses and volunteers giving me their names and numbers as well as the ones that stayed with me to help and make statements. I was almost in tears. (Not just because of the car but also cause of the people that cared!) There was this younger couple that stayed for about 30 min and even gave me their camera! (Hence the pictures.) I can't thank them enough as they gave the state police a wonderful statement about how the accident happened. (The truth, BTW.) Still, at this point, I was still in this fuzzy state. I didn't really come back to reality until the state troopers had me and the witnesses move behind my car. Then the helicopter landed to take the passenger of the truck to the hospital. Then I really understood how serious the accident was. That was also when I began to feel the pain.
To make a long story short, I never got to speak to the driver of the truck as he was taken in an ambulance to the hospital too. There are still many things that need to be resolved regarding the accident. But I can now really appreciate the safety and durability of the Volvo 850. I was able to drive it home after all of this! Granted it was not happy or going straight, but it was still going. (And so was I.) Still this whole thing saddens me. It is unfortunate that the people in the truck were injured and it is unfortunate that they caused this accident. I still have no info about their conditions and eagerly await news from the police and insurance companies. Guess till then I will try to clean up the mess this has caused for me as well as try to forget about the pain I am in. I just wanted to share this with all of my friends here at swedespeed and to "thank" my car as well. IMHO, if I were in anything else I don't think I would have walked away from the accident. Still though, I am torn over the loss of the car. I had much invested in it and it was a very special part of my life. (I won't go into details but anyone who knows me real well understands the attachment and sentiment.) Guess the car did go for a while though, 203007 on the clock at the accident scene. Oh, what to do now? I know it will be replaced (if there is such a thing) by another Volvo. Maybe 70-series T5. Who knows…but this is the final chapter in the car's life. I just wanted it to be remembered. There are links provided to my photo album. There are before and after pictures. Feel free to comment.

Prospero (sore as hell and sad it had to end like this&#8230

 

[Prospero]

Oh, and the links...

http://photos.msn.com/Viewing/Album.aspx?COHOhSnerv19I9*G0W8SyFTI5S*TsH1h7gIns5RKRccMhhJ4TkDjtdiGq!FrqN6Al9pHR2EDDJhGsSQpTfYRbhLz9PLHLwSEQzNt03p*K4ErKmvpXP0sE6yGnzdvn0WM

 

[Duncan]

That is a damn shame. I love your car, too bad it had to leave us so soon.

 

[JHEIII850Turbo]

Sorry to hear that, but I'm glad you're doing alright, too bad the 850 couldn't end up the same way. That 850 looks pretty banged up, yet I'm not suprised it got you home, and I'm glad it got you out of that accident on 2 feet. BTW, you did get kissed...

I guess this isn't the best time to mention it... but your car, before the accident, is the model of what I want my car to look like. BTW, you said it stalled... was it a manual or automatic? Are you salvaging any parts of your car, before you give it to the insurance company?

As for the idea of the S70 T5, I wish you luck in finding one... I know it will take a lot of work to get something to come close to replacing that 850... but I'm sure you'll have a good time doing it.

Now that we have his tag... who says we go hunt him down?!

 

[[email protected]]

Wow Matt, I'm so sorry to hear that. You and I were just talking Saturday about your buying those titans off of a wrecked car....

I have a friend at Annapolis Volvo and another who wholesales Volvos (where we got our R). If I can help out in any way trying to source you another car, I'd be happy to. Lucky you bought that 240 recently so you have transportation.

 

[1FASTBOX]

Matt, glad to hear you are ok. As far as the car goes she did her job. Why not keep it? See what the insurance company is going to do. If you need any help with part numbers again we will put her back. I know pictures sometimes do not do it justice but is the car bent bad beyond the cosmetic damage? If so even in parts she may live on in your next Volvo. Keep her! Any help I can be just ask.
Sean

 

[S.R.]

Matt,

Extremely glad to hear that you are okay, it sounds like a horrific experience. Also, sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved car, I know how that must feel. On the bright side, hopefully you will have a fun experience trying to find a new Volvo. Of course, all your friends at Swedespeed I am sure will love to help out and discuss.

-Drew

 

[towerymt]

Damn, that's awful. I was expecting you to say you got "let go" or something, and had to sell the car. At least you're OK, but it sounds like it could have been MUCH worse with all the cars passing by.

It sure does look like you took a wild ride (BTDT, at a much lesser speed). Is the car even remotely drivable (I read that you drove it home), but is there more damage that the pictures can't show? My curb hopping adventure left my car very unstable at more than ~25mph, but that was with some nasty toe-out. The wheels and rear spoiler don't look damaged; maybe they'll find their way onto the 240?

Good luck with the insurance process. Here's a T-5R sedan, pale yellow, 128K, for sale in Boston (on ebay) at $10,495: Item # 599328977

 

[Simon Linton]

A real horror story with I hope a happy ending in that you got out walking.

You'll find that you get very paranoid about driving for quite a time afterwards - I know I did after an accident that looked even worse.

I was overtaking a light truck on a fast two lane road when it turned right across my path without warning.

I hit the side of the truck at 60+, spinning it round and totally destroying the front of my Vauxhall (GM) Cavalier.

The car looked like the fatal pic in your link - the front was disintegrated, the bodyshell was rippled all the way back to the roof and the engine block was knocked back into the firewall.

Yet I could open the door and get out and walk - much to the amazement of the garage it got recovered to; they said "You got out of THAT?" when they saw the wreck.

The car was a write-off, needless to say - but someone contacted me about two months later to ask where the service manual was as they were driving it!

So some evil sod had jigged this totally shagged shell, bodged some front end on to it and and sold it to go off and kill somebody.

If and when you Volvo goes off for scrap, make sure it IS scrapped and not rebuilt badly.

However, if it's driveable, it looks salvageable to me - I'd buy it from the insurers and get it sorted if it can be done safely.

 

[11110000]

At least you're OK - that's the most important thing.

It's rough, seeing what you've worked so hard on, a machine that you've bonded with - VIOLATED! I've been through this twice w/ my 240. But remember, it is only a machine after all - and it kept you safe.

From the pics, it looks like the car may be salvageable - it will never be the same, of course, but it may not be dead yet.

And hopefully, the driver of the truck has learned that driving a 6,000lb behemoth does not give you immunity from harm and a license to drive recklessly among smaller vehicles.

 

[Kai]

And the more scary thing was...I was actually on the phone with Matt when this happen. All I heard was.."Argooohh..." then the phone was probably being thrown out of the seat. When he told me someone had just side swiped him...I thought he was kidding because it happened all too sudden. Just right in the middle of some normal conversation. I'm still glad that at least the Volvo saved his life even though you would almost have this kinda watery eyes feeling when you see the car in person.

I just can never imagine anyone on Swedespeed would become a victim of these statistics of ignorant oversize SUV/Pickup.

 

[Scott Curtis]

Sory to hear/see your car.

I went to the link to look at your photo's, can you tell me what the story on the decapitation in the black car? I damn near lost my lunch when I opened that one.

Scott

 

[turboale]

Wow man, I'm really sad to hear that... Though I have never been in an accident at speed, I can imagine the crazyness and what you were feeling for that split instant that probably felt like a lifetime. Thats what I felt when a guy rear-ended me in Atlanta. Though my car want totaled and no real structural damage was done, it shook me up pretty well. I know exactly what you mean about the whole feeling numb too... for the first couple hours or so I didn't really feel anything, and I wasn't really thinking straight. It wasn't til that evening that it hit me, and really started to feel shaken up. Really sorry about the car, and good luck finding the next lucky bird you take under your wing. but now, I'm off to figure out why my baby is leaking so much oil.

Hope the pain ends soon,
Austin

 

[SCFrost]

That's awful news. Glad you are doing ok.

Having seen your car in person at a GTG, the time and effort you put into the car really showed.

I can relate to how you must be feeling. I had spent considerable time and money into a VW GTI only to have an illegal immigrant blow a red light and destroy it.

Keep us posted on what your plans are from here. Good Luck.

Just FYI, there is another early model 850 in the area that is always looking for improvements.

- Steve, 94 850 Turbo

 

[Terence]

Hi Matt,

I am so sorry to hear about your car and the accident. At least you are OK. Saw the pics, the exterior doesn't look as bad as I first thought after reading your post. Lets hope the frame is not damaged and you can get your car fixed. Take care

Terence

 

[Big E]

Well, the best news is that the Volvo did what it is designed to do and kept you in one piece! Hopefully the insurance companies will now do what THEY are designed to do!

Very sad about your "ride" though, I hope you can find another Volvo that will come close to your T-5, at least you know it gave you it's best.

I think it is amazing that you not only didn't have to go to the hospital but you actually drove the car home. Perhaps a guardian angel working overtime along with the Volvo?

 

[Kai]

quote:

Originally posted by Terence:
Hi Matt,

I am so sorry to hear about your car and the accident. At least you are OK. Saw the pics, the exterior doesn't look as bad as I first thought after reading your post. Lets hope the frame is not damaged and you can get your car fixed. Take care

Terence

you finally show up....well...even if the frame is not damaged, the total repair cost would be much more than what his car is worth on the market value....or close to it at least.

 

[Terence]

Hi Kai,

I know what you meant about the cost to fix the car, but since Matt spent so much time and effort into the car, it would be too painful(if it happens to me)to see the current car go and have to start all over again with another car.

Terence

 

[deleonl1]

Wow, what a crazy freak accident. I'm glad that everyone came out okay. You have one tough 850.....I can't believe you were able to drive it home. I know you've put a lot of work into your car.....I hope that everything works out for you.

 

[Prospero]

Everyone,
Sincerely and from the bottom of my heart…thank you. It is making my eyes water reading these replies and knowing that all of my friends at swedespeed do care. I am even more impressed by the offers of help and assistance from you all. Again, thanks.

For all of you who were asking about the black S70, he was not in the accident! The picture was in my album and somehow got moved into the folder with my current accident stuff. Sorry if it grossed you out. It's nasty! One thing for sure though, I feel luck I didn't end up like that! If it weren't for the safety latches on the backside of the hood, I would have eaten it for lunch. The hood is still stuck closed. I'm going to have to pull the hood with a hydraulic ram since it is wedged in so tight. One must give credit to the engineers and designers at Volvo. There are so many little things that are in the car that we never have to see in action till and accident. But afterwards, they make their value known! Things like the seatbelt retractors. If that thing didn't do its job, the steering wheel and I would have needed some help. Kudos to Volvo for having a clue about safety. J

Still, I have no information about the people from the truck. I am hoping they are okay and I get to have a little chat with them in the near future. I have a few comments for them. (Nice ones of course!)

Pretty much everything is in a state of limbo. The accident report will not be out till after Christmas. The insurance company has to do an investigation as well. They are sending an adjuster out to look over the car today. Maybe he'll be a Volvo-nut and understand what all is damaged. The thought of a novice attempting to assess the damage and/or value of the car is frightening. But, I'll be nice and optimistic for now. Just have a bad feeling about this…All of the upgrades are of no value in the eyes of the insurance company.

Anyhow, things are still crazy for me at the moment. I'm still feeling a decent amount of pain here and there. Doctor tells me it's just torn muscle fibers and the pain will be gone in a few more days. She commented about me being tense. Told me to relax. Yeah, right! She's not the one who has to go out into the parking lot to drive home in a brown 240 instead of a nice red 850! Also, she doesn't quite understand the attachment I had to the car. Driving past the accident scene each day also stirs the mind a bit. Time to find another route to work! I'm done with I-270.

Well, all. I have so much work ahead of me. Thanks again for the support and comments. I hope to keep the car even if it is totaled. I would like to take some of it and use the parts in my 240. Also, if all goes well…maybe I'll get a 70-series as the replacement. Move some of the goodies to it as time allows.

TTYL

Prospero