Lucky to be alive......but not happy about it!
Discussion
Driving down the M27 a week or so ago in my lovely low mileage 111s, roof down minding my own business, the traffic slows to a stop and I get nailed by an idiot in a BMW who, according to witnesses, did not even bake.
The cops think he hit me at about 50mph, I have no idea if that is true or not but he hit me with enough force to spin me from the outside lane across two other lanes of the motorway before finally coming to rest on the hard shoulder.
Lucky to be alive? I think so, as we are talking a Friday evening rush hour and I didn't hit (or get hit by) anything as I spun across the other two lanes and I came to rest just inches away from the crash barrier on the hard shoulder.
Lucky to be alive yes, but I have just lost the best, most fun car I have ever owned.......I am gutted.
The car is apparently a total loss, if you look at the pics below you can see that the rear clam is completely gone, underneath the chassis member that runs behind and above the rear wheel is bent upwards at an unnatural angle. The wheel is buckled simple from the impact of where the other car hit me.
What you can’t see is the rest of the damage to the car, that right rear wheel will hardly turn and all the gubbins behind it is broken or twisted but the most telling thing for me is that the driver’s seat would no longer slide backwards and forwards effortlessly, which suggested that the tub was bent as well.
I am gutted, only had it about 3mths as well………….now comes the fight with the insurance company I suppose.
Matt
Edited to add: Forgeot to say given the impact these cars are amazing. The doors all opened and I walked away, not a scratch on me, my back hurts a bit as I saw him coming and think I tensed up or twisted in my seat, but given that I was hit by a BMW 3 series (which is also written off) I am very impressed with these little cars.......she will be sorely missed.
The cops think he hit me at about 50mph, I have no idea if that is true or not but he hit me with enough force to spin me from the outside lane across two other lanes of the motorway before finally coming to rest on the hard shoulder.
Lucky to be alive? I think so, as we are talking a Friday evening rush hour and I didn't hit (or get hit by) anything as I spun across the other two lanes and I came to rest just inches away from the crash barrier on the hard shoulder.
Lucky to be alive yes, but I have just lost the best, most fun car I have ever owned.......I am gutted.
The car is apparently a total loss, if you look at the pics below you can see that the rear clam is completely gone, underneath the chassis member that runs behind and above the rear wheel is bent upwards at an unnatural angle. The wheel is buckled simple from the impact of where the other car hit me.
What you can’t see is the rest of the damage to the car, that right rear wheel will hardly turn and all the gubbins behind it is broken or twisted but the most telling thing for me is that the driver’s seat would no longer slide backwards and forwards effortlessly, which suggested that the tub was bent as well.
I am gutted, only had it about 3mths as well………….now comes the fight with the insurance company I suppose.
Matt
Edited to add: Forgeot to say given the impact these cars are amazing. The doors all opened and I walked away, not a scratch on me, my back hurts a bit as I saw him coming and think I tensed up or twisted in my seat, but given that I was hit by a BMW 3 series (which is also written off) I am very impressed with these little cars.......she will be sorely missed.
Edited by MattW on Friday 28th September 12:51
Gutted for you and hope you are ok and that the isurance sorts itself out quickly, as it sounds like it should from yours and the eyewitnesses description of the accident. On the plus side it shows the massive strength of the car. You were hit by a considerably larger, heavier car going from 50mph to 0mph in no time at all and you have walked away, with the car taking all of the impact! That is impressive!
TonyHetherington said:
sh1t! glad to hear you're ok though - by far the most important thing 
Car looks amazingly well intact - always surprising for such a small car how well they stand up.
As I say, glad to hear you yourself are well - the car can be replaced, and I'm sure it will be
YHMCar looks amazingly well intact - always surprising for such a small car how well they stand up.
As I say, glad to hear you yourself are well - the car can be replaced, and I'm sure it will be
Boggy
The main thing is that you're alive and you have the ability to purchase another Elise in the very near future. It could've been a completely different story if you were in another car ... It really is testament to the structural strength and integrity of the Elise's tub!
However no matter how many people say, "It's just a car", it's your car and it is your pride and joy. So I'm sorry to hear what happened
Hopefully his insurance will pay out quickly so you can look for your next Elise
However no matter how many people say, "It's just a car", it's your car and it is your pride and joy. So I'm sorry to hear what happened
Hopefully his insurance will pay out quickly so you can look for your next Elise
Edited by Ikemi on Friday 28th September 13:00
Speak to Anniesdad (Member on Piston Heads) he work's for a consultancy regarding this sort of thing. Don't worry about cost as your insurance should cover his fee's. Do a search on member's, he'll look after you and have you back in another Lotus in no time
Here you go he's the man! http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/profile.asp?m...
Boggy
Here you go he's the man! http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/profile.asp?m...
Boggy
Edited by Boggy on Friday 28th September 13:04
Hi Matt, I actually drove past and saw you on the hard shoulder on that day and I had a real sinking feeling when I saw it. Your baby is exactly the same as mine and I really felt for you - I too have only had mine a short time.
I hope you get a good result from the insurance and get back into the driving seat (of a lotus) very soon.
I hope you get a good result from the insurance and get back into the driving seat (of a lotus) very soon.
Thanks for all the replies much appreciated, I know I am lucky to still be here and think I owe a lot to that little silver bullet......she shall be missed.
I am definitely in the market for another S1 111s so if anyone knows of another mint low mileage example out there then please let me know.
Matt
I am definitely in the market for another S1 111s so if anyone knows of another mint low mileage example out there then please let me know.
Matt
rm030775 said:
Matt.
Sorry to hear your news.
Think you bought your car from a guy living just North of Farnham right? (recognise the reg).. I bought his hard top 'May time' and he was selling the car then.
Looked a minter.
Bad luck mate
Rich
Hi Rich,Sorry to hear your news.
Think you bought your car from a guy living just North of Farnham right? (recognise the reg).. I bought his hard top 'May time' and he was selling the car then.
Looked a minter.
Bad luck mate
Rich
Yup that was the one, can't believe he sold that hard top I was looking for one for the whole period I owned it!
It was indeed a minter, she will be hard to replace, but I will give it a try!!
Expect to see that plate again, I am taking it with me.
Matt
I'm really glad you were in an Elise mate, not many cars would have taken an impact like that so effectively. The car took good care of you IMO.
As fas as the insurance side of things go, did you do the sensible thing and take out a GAP/VRI insurance top-up when you bought the car? If so, you'll get all your money back....... <fingers crossed you did>
As fas as the insurance side of things go, did you do the sensible thing and take out a GAP/VRI insurance top-up when you bought the car? If so, you'll get all your money back....... <fingers crossed you did>
Zebede29 said:
I'm really glad you were in an Elise mate, not many cars would have taken an impact like that so effectively. The car took good care of you IMO.
As fas as the insurance side of things go, did you do the sensible thing and take out a GAP/VRI insurance top-up when you bought the car? If so, you'll get all your money back....... <fingers crossed you did>
To be honest no I don't think I did but as I only bought it about 3 mths ago and have proof of the fact I shall be fighting for a full refund given the value really won't have decreased in 3 mths and that finding another in the same condition with a full B&C history etc will not be easy.As fas as the insurance side of things go, did you do the sensible thing and take out a GAP/VRI insurance top-up when you bought the car? If so, you'll get all your money back....... <fingers crossed you did>
I am expecting a fight but I am not going to give in on this one.
Matt
Hard luck mate, glad your ok.
Good to see how well the car stood up to a rear end crash. When you remove the rear shell, you realise how little stuff there is at the back of the car, obviously beside the engine.....
So tough little cookie really even if its a right off, it protected you....
Good to see how well the car stood up to a rear end crash. When you remove the rear shell, you realise how little stuff there is at the back of the car, obviously beside the engine.....
So tough little cookie really even if its a right off, it protected you....
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