Personal "Crash Test"

[meaux61]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

Bean:

1) I'm glad you're ok, not only alive but were able to walk away from a rollover.

2) I'm almost as glad that you feel like the car saved your life. That right there says a lot... any time a driver is in a wreck, totals the car, and walks away declaring their gratitude for safety engineering, it's a win/win situation. The car did its job of protecting you.

3) While on the surface it seems callous for some of us to ask for pictures, what I find encouraging and amazing is that you would be willing to supply them. Further emphasizes #2 above.

4) Someone from a smart center - anywhere - fast track a replacement to this guy (make the insurance pay though). You can't buy better media attention.

DITTO!!!

Meaux

[techman01]

The convertible version is missing part of that safety cell?

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by techman01

The convertible version is missing part of that safety cell?

The top cross pieces are removable on the cabrio with the top down... you can also run with them in place.

[John_H]

The car here was a coupe, it appears. Soooo glad things turned out as well as they did, considering. Goosebumps while reading the account.

As for the cabrio - there's a roll-bar across the back between the tridon struts. That's probably a bit of the extra weight that the cabrio carries with it compared to the coupe.

Here's to hoping we get no more of these reports of the incredible safety of the Smart because I would oh-so-love to see people safe from these death-defying incidents!

evilbean - I am beyond happy that you're safe.

[kathy333]

Originally Posted by evilbean42

just a few things... first to answer some more questions, the airbags did not go off, the door did not pop open, but it did open as normal to let me out. The driver that hit me was ok, idk about the driver that ran. I got the worst of the crash because the guardrail isn't as forgiving as another car. we will definately be offering up some advertisement for smart (in return for some help getting a new one). The crash was in New Haven Ct around 6:30pm yesterday. We left a message for the New Haven FD asking for copies of pics they took at the scene. If we can't get those we are gonna have someone go to the garage where the car is now to at least take a few of it there. Unfortunately the crash was about 3 hours away from our house so we can't just swing by and take some pictures. we'll keep you all posted on how things turn out.

Wow... echoing other's sentiments: glad you survived! That sounds like a pretty close call. Thanks for taking time to share your story and also for keeping us updated on how you are doing and everything turns out.
Take Care, Kathy

[babybenz]

good thing to hear you are ok sorry to hear about your smart i would be going through withdrawls without mine

[SmartDigger]

Great to hear you are ok and the smart did it's job

[angel]

Evilbean: Glad to hear you're okay. Hopefully you can get a replacement smart soon.

[Piccola]

This guy is right - this is the best advertising for any smart retailer, manufacturer, distributor. He said it all! If someone is doing any research, movie making/documentary - this would be great for them - and for you. Lemonade from lemons. So happy you are just a little sore. Heal quickly and good luck on your 2nd smart!

__________________________________________________ __________

Originally Posted by 24-42

First; Take a lot of pictures of your car, get the police report for authenticity, Proceed to the Smart Center of your choice, tell them in exchange for the the first orphan (of your choosing) without added crap, you will give them exclusive rights to your pictures suitable for framing, for their showroom. In exchange for the accessories of your choosing, you will provide written a testimonial of the accident. Suggest that the dealer (through you) might want to buy your car for the showroom. He probably would be unique among Smart dealers.
Contact the local newspaper, Your story(you) with the car is 'Up to the minute' pertinent news

Approach your insurance co inquiring about you buying your car with the idea of the value of the parts. Salvage value has to be pretty high on your car. If you owned it, you could sell it to the highest bidding dealer.

Turn this whole thing around on Penske. YOU have something he hasn't. A great dealer would make a profit from having your totaled car.

I'm sorry,as I'm sure you are too, that this happened but.... now that it is history, make lemonade from this lemon. Get a replacement car and make a profit from this situation.

Research to find out if any newspaper had a story(pictures) etc.
Go to the police and interview the officer(s) that were on the scene and get their opinion of this accident as opposed to the same with something other than a Smart car. Write it up and don't forget to get their signature.

PM me and we'll talk on the phone.


Donald LaFavor

[limey]

The counter opinion would be that if you weren't driving a smart, the odds are that the car may well not have rolled in the first place. Cars with more extensive crumple zones will deform and absorb more of the energy when you hit a guardrail.

While the fact you survived is a testament to the strength of the smart, the fact that you rolled several times is a testament to its relatively poor stability.