Bad accident - walked away

[OVERKILL]

A friend and coworker of mine informed me yesterday that he had bought a new 2025 RAM 1500 Laramie. I had assumed he was getting rid of his Jeep (he already had a 2020 DT Sport almost identical to my wife's, but in dark grey) but he informed me that his wife had been in a serious head-on collision with a large commercial straight-truck in their 2020 DT and it was written off. His kids were in the back seat. Everyone walked away. Based on how it performed in protecting his family, he immediately started shopping for another DT.

I was rather shocked when he told me the RAM took the front end clear off the straight truck as well

Anyway, reminds me why my wife feels safer in a truck, and why this is a common sentiment in North America (that seems weird to Europeans). It's not necessarily the "bigger than" with other passenger vehicles, it's the proliferation of semi's and straight frames that we share the roads with that, often in a collision with a car, can result in the death of everyone due to the poor alignment of collision zones.

 

[rijndael]

What's a DT?

 

[OVERKILL]

What's a DT?

The NBS RAM (as opposed to the "Classic", which is the old DS platform). It's an IIHS top safety pick.

 

[racer12306]

Wow.

When something saves your kids lives, you're a customer for life. Glad they made it out in good shape.

 

[RhondaHonda]

You just never know what’s going to happen. My wife and son were rear ended by a loaded dump truck with no brakes a year ago today while stopped at a light on a 50 mph road. The Suburban held up very well all things considered and was replaced by a Yukon XL. I’m glad they weren’t in a Camry.

 

[Pablo]

Holy Crikey!

Causes? Distracted driving??

 

[Cujet]

My wife would not be here had she been driving a car instead of my F150. There is a very valid reason to have adequately strong surroundings in your vehicle.

 

[Oillover]

These days, SUVs and trucks are clearly the safer choice overall.
Driving anything else is like playing Russian Roulette.

 

[walterjay]

My wife survived a bad crash in her SUV. In a sedan she may not have made it.

Your co-worker and family are a lucky bunch.

 

[Chris142]

You just never know what’s going to happen. My wife and son were rear ended by a loaded dump truck with no brakes a year ago today while stopped at a light on a 50 mph road. The Suburban held up very well all things considered and was replaced by a Yukon XL. I’m glad they weren’t in a Camry.View attachment 273764View attachment 273765

Wonder what the story is on the dump having no brakes.

 

[wemay]

Glad everyone's ok.

 

[IndyIan]

These days, SUVs and trucks are clearly the safer choice overall.
Driving anything else is like playing Russian Roulette.

It is interesting that this isn't always true.
https://www.iihs.org/ratings/driver-death-rates-by-make-and-model
The average deathrate for newer 1/2 ton pickups is only a bit better than average of all vehicles?
There are a few midsize and small cars and wagons that are have a much lower deathrate than 1/2 tons, so I guess it shows that in spite of their inherent disadvantages, design and their average driver habits makes more of a difference than mass?

 

[wwillson]

Wonder what the story is on the dump having no brakes.

Deferred maintenance.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Holy Crikey!

Causes? Distracted driving??

The driver said no brakes. There were 8 violations for faulty brake equipment. I think it was probably a bit of both. The e light is at the bottom of a hill too. She got pushed into a Sienna that was stopped in front of her and totaled that too.

 

[walterjay]

One of my company trucks was rear ended by a county truck with no brakes. Really messed up the van. No one seriously injured.

It happens.

 

[Pablo]

The driver said no brakes. There were 7 citations issued for faulty brake equipment. I think it was probably a bit of both. The e light is at the bottom of a hill too. She got pushed into a Sienna that was stopped in front of her and totaled that too.

Wow, I'm wondering about the accidents @OVERKILL writes about above

 

[RhondaHonda]

Wonder what the story is on the dump having no brakes.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Wow. Glad they are ok. I was unaware how high the safety ratings were on those trucks but that’s a good thing.

 

[Pew]

It is interesting that this isn't always true.
https://www.iihs.org/ratings/driver-death-rates-by-make-and-model
The average deathrate for newer 1/2 ton pickups is only a bit better than average of all vehicles?
There are a few midsize and small cars and wagons that are have a much lower deathrate than 1/2 tons, so I guess it shows that in spite of their inherent disadvantages, design and their average driver habits makes more of a difference than mass?

Most of the lower-than-average vehicles look to be luxury SUV and most regular SUVs; which would explain the low the averages of the 'all cars' row. Overall both pickups and SUVs in their own category look to be better than any non-luxury car. The non-luxury car category averages 90. Pickups average like 31.

Although looking at the highest offending car models, I am not surprised vehicles like the Mirage, Altima, Charger/Challenger and H/K top the list.

 

[OVERKILL]

Holy Crikey!

Causes? Distracted driving??

He didn't say, so I can't comment as to what precipitated it.