My Integra May Have Saved My Life

[3rdcoast]

A few days ago my 15,000 mile 2023 Integra A-Spec with manual transmission and in perfect condition was hit and totaled. I was stopped in a left turn lane with two other vehicles ahead of me waiting for a green light. There were vehicles to my right and behind me. I was keeping an eye on a semi-truck to my left that was making a right turn from the crossing highway to head in the opposite direction I was facing when I see a Dodge Ram 2500 pulling a large 5th wheel horse trailer coming from the left toward my driver side door. The pickup with trailer, which had been behind the semi, had veered to the right to avoid rear ending the semi. It traveled across a gas station drive and grassy area before crossing the traffic lane opposite me, missing the the semi that was making the turn. The pickup and trailer impacted my driver side door and front end at high speed. My car was then driven one lane over into the car to my right. 5 air bags on the driver side of my Integra deployed. The driver side window showered glass everywhere from the force of the impact. Fortunately, my injuries were not major although time will tell. I was lucky but also give credit to the structural design of the Integra which prevented significant penetration into the cabin. The air bags also did a great job in protecting me without doing significant injury.

Within seconds of impact the cars telemetry system began to audibly identify that an impact had occurred, that air bags had deployed and other details I was a bit too stunned to fully absorb. The car automatically dialed 911 via the Carplay phone interface.

Amazingly a car two back from me captured the entire event on dashcam video.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/875640428662201

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[UWU-mancer]

Holycrap. I’m glad you’re ok. That video was insane. Sorry about the car.

 

[itsgr8]

I'm sorry that this happened to you. Glad you're OK.

 

[crepr12]

WTF...towing and not paying attention hope the knuckle head has insurance...

 

[optronix]

You have to wonder how the hell that happened... that seems like so much more than "not paying attention"... must have been asleep at the wheel or a health issue.

In any case. The simple fact you're in a position to type this up and share the incident with us is amazing. Modern cars are great at accident protection, but still- that was a crazy one. Very glad your injuries are minor and I hope you have a speedy and full recovery.

 

[slowcountry]

Fuck man - glad you are ok!!!

 

[ChromaPop]

Wow, such bad luck. Glad to hear you are okay and that these cars are made to protect. Hopefully you can enjoy the process of getting yourself a nice and shiny new one. I have noticed that some of the worst most aggressive drivers are those that drive work pickup trucks. Many seem to be always in a hurry, and we all know about phone distraction annoyances.

 

[UWU-mancer]

You have to wonder how the hell that happened... that seems like so much more than "not paying attention"... must have been asleep at the wheel or a health issue.

In any case. The simple fact you're in a position to type this up and share the incident with us is amazing. Modern cars are great at accident protection, but still- that was a crazy one. Very glad your injuries are minor and I hope you have a speedy and full recovery.

Exactly man. It’s as if dudes brakes failed? Or maybe he just didn’t have enough pedal for the weight he was towing?

 

[SlippyFist]

man that's crazy. glad you're okay.

do you plan on getting another integra? im not really sure what insurance does in an accident like this as i've never been in one. do they just give you a payout for the car's total value, and you just do what you want with it?

 

[3rdcoast]

man that's crazy. glad you're okay.

do you plan on getting another integra? im not really sure what insurance does in an accident like this as i've never been in one. do they just give you a payout for the car's total value, and you just do what you want with it?

I am filing the insurance claim with my insurance company, which will then attempt recovery from the driver-at-fault policy or the litigate with the driver directly. There is some question in my mind if the driver has proper insurance as the license plate tag on the pickup truck indicated it was expired. Filing with my insurance was the recommendation of legal counsel and my insurance company was happy to take care of everything for me. That's much less hassle and faster. In my state my rates cannot be impacted due to a claim where I was not at fault. My company will issue a check to me for the value they determine it was worth prior to the accident. I can then go whatever direction I want. The big issue may be getting a fair value for my Integra. It had 15,000 miles and was in KBB excellent condition with no body or interior flaws. Being a 6 speed manual may make getting 3 comparative values difficult.

Another Integra? Probably not, although I loved that car. I had zero problems with it from day one. I may post more details on my thoughts on that later.

 

[3rdcoast]

Exactly man. It’s as if dudes brakes failed? Or maybe he just didn’t have enough pedal for the weight he was towing?

Driver claimed his brakes failed. But both front and back and for the trailer? Tow truck driver said that he observed hydraulic pressure at the pedal. But maybe a leaking master cylinder that resulted in brake fade unless the brakes were pumped? The truck was not in great mechanical condition from what I observed. Tires had little tread and uneven wear, significant rust, trash in the driver footwell. etc.

 

[UWU-mancer]

Driver claimed his brakes failed. But both front and back and for the trailer? Tow truck driver said that he observed hydraulic pressure at the pedal. But maybe a leaking master cylinder that resulted in brake fade unless the brakes were pumped? The truck was not in great mechanical condition from what I observed. Tires had little tread and uneven wear, significant rust, trash in the driver footwell. etc.

Doesn’t even matter. You’re not injured and U have evidence it wasn’t your fault. You’re in a better spot. For sure. Sucks about the car tho. That definitely sucks. But better the car than you

 

[SlippyFist]

Another Integra? Probably not, although I loved that car. I had zero problems with it from day one. I may post more details on my thoughts on that later.

i dont blame you honestly. if i had to do this all over again, i don't think i'd get another ITS.

 

[jedi03]

also glad you are ok, PTSD from this stuff is real...

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