Lord Long Rod
Diamond Member
- Jan 17, 2023
- 7,706
- 8,150
- 2,138
- Banned
- #1
I was driving on a 4-lane divided highway in a pretty rural area. I had just bought my 370Z 3 weeks prior. It had rained earlier. The roads were wet, but drying. In other words, there was no standing water. Driving fast in these conditions is dangerous because the tread on your tires cannot channel and disburse the water as quickly as if you were driving slower.
I was driving along in a 65 mph zone going around 80-85 mph. I rounded a slight curve and hydroplaned. I went completely sideways. I corrected by steering into the skid. My car responded, but kept on going, making me sideways again but pointed in the opposition direction. However, my car was now going off the side of the road and into the trees. I absolutely knew this was my time. I was dead.
The crashing into the trees was violent. Fortunately, when the car came to a stop I had survived. I walked away with only bruises and soreness all over. My car has been totaled. There appeared to be 3 impact points: Front left, front right, and on the rear bumper a little left of center. The best I can figure is that I careened through the trees, taking out saplings and somehow missing trees large enough to stop me and cause catastrophic harm. I think the car spun, as I came in at an angle. The front driver's side wheel was completely gone. Neither me or the first responders could find it.
I was checked out by EMTs on the scene then let go. I had to call someone to come get me, as I was out of town. One of the EMTs told me that a tractor trailer had jackknifed on that turn not long ago. They brought in sand to put on the road. The implication being that there may be a slick spot on the road. But, whatever, I should not have been driving that fast in the rain. Nobody else that passed by me was sliding. I am also told that the car's relative light weight may have contributed to the slide.
This was just a week ago this past Saturday. I am still sore and bruised, but it is getting better. I am wildly lucky that I survived the crash and was not seriously injured. I have already bought another 370Z, this time through Carvana. It is supposed to be delivered to me this Thursday.
I am 52 years old and have been driving since I was 16. I have never had anything like this happen. I have never been in a serious wreck. But, it can and will happen, and you will not have much time to respond when it does. Even if you respond correctly, you may still crash and kill yourself (and others in the car with you). I make this confession of my own stupidity in order to make the point that everyone needs to slow down in the rain. This hydroplaning danger is NO JOKE.
I was driving along in a 65 mph zone going around 80-85 mph. I rounded a slight curve and hydroplaned. I went completely sideways. I corrected by steering into the skid. My car responded, but kept on going, making me sideways again but pointed in the opposition direction. However, my car was now going off the side of the road and into the trees. I absolutely knew this was my time. I was dead.
The crashing into the trees was violent. Fortunately, when the car came to a stop I had survived. I walked away with only bruises and soreness all over. My car has been totaled. There appeared to be 3 impact points: Front left, front right, and on the rear bumper a little left of center. The best I can figure is that I careened through the trees, taking out saplings and somehow missing trees large enough to stop me and cause catastrophic harm. I think the car spun, as I came in at an angle. The front driver's side wheel was completely gone. Neither me or the first responders could find it.
I was checked out by EMTs on the scene then let go. I had to call someone to come get me, as I was out of town. One of the EMTs told me that a tractor trailer had jackknifed on that turn not long ago. They brought in sand to put on the road. The implication being that there may be a slick spot on the road. But, whatever, I should not have been driving that fast in the rain. Nobody else that passed by me was sliding. I am also told that the car's relative light weight may have contributed to the slide.
This was just a week ago this past Saturday. I am still sore and bruised, but it is getting better. I am wildly lucky that I survived the crash and was not seriously injured. I have already bought another 370Z, this time through Carvana. It is supposed to be delivered to me this Thursday.
I am 52 years old and have been driving since I was 16. I have never had anything like this happen. I have never been in a serious wreck. But, it can and will happen, and you will not have much time to respond when it does. Even if you respond correctly, you may still crash and kill yourself (and others in the car with you). I make this confession of my own stupidity in order to make the point that everyone needs to slow down in the rain. This hydroplaning danger is NO JOKE.