Totaled my 2008 Grand Marquis LS

[inkfx 3]

Well I was just driving home after dropping some friends off. I was a designated driver for the night and refused all alcoholic beverages to me. I was so worried the whole night of being pulled over and the car impounded or something so I didnt drink. So right as I turn into my neighborhood, the apartment complex to my left has their sprinklers going. Mind you, its about 30 degrees outside, 3:30am, and we are in water restrictions. I turn into the neighborhood as I always do and hit a big slick of water from the sprinkler system. My car swerved uncontrollably to the left and then violently to the right ending in my car being wrapped around a telephone pole. I crawled out of my window which I guess shattered since I didn't roll it down. After laying on the asphalt for a few minutes, people came out of their apartments to help me up. I was in so much shock that my car was actually gone I collapsed on the ground. I didn't feel a single injury and told the police I was alright. It's been almost 2 hours now since the crash and my whole left side of my body is in utter pain. Almost certainly due to the fact adrenaline has worn off in my system.

I guess the lesson of the story is when you think you are going slow enough through water, slow down some more. This was the scariest thing thats ever happened to me in my entire life. I've had a gun pulled on me and been less worried than this.

[Godsmack 361]

You need to go to the hospital. You should of gone from the scene just to be safe. Best of luck man.

J

[Duran 387]

Go to the hospital, now. You may be suffering from internal bleeding.

Your spleen is on the left side of your body, and it is VERY easy to break, making your entire abdominal cavity septic.

[kirill007 52]

You probably have a cracked rib or atleast a few broosed ribs.

Really you should go to the hospital or a doctor for check-ups, it's quite normal to almost feel no pain after you just crashed and about a few hours later everything will start to hurt.(i've been in a accident too)

[Kanaworm$ 292]

Hospital now Dood! Better to be safe than sorry!

[inkfx 3]

Looks like I will head to the ER just to be safe. I'm just so bummed right now. Working on my car is part of my therapy and without it I just feel like I'm going to spiral down the wrong path again. May sound stupid but my brain works in pretty dumb ways.

[jmanjr 0]

you sir are nuts for NOT going to the hospital, honestly they normally take you to the hospital after a car wreck of that magnitude! That really does suck though man!!

[Godsmack 361]

get in there bro!!! and as for therapy this might help you find new ways of therapy.

J

[inkfx 3]

get in there bro!!! and as for therapy this might help you find new ways of therapy.

J

Thanks man. I'm not sure where to turn right now as far as that goes. Driving my car and listening to music was just so therapeutic for me. Unfortunately, I've been having more frequent panic attacks since the accident. Mainly because I know I can't just walk outside and go for a ride to calm down. I have a doctors appointment scheduled for tomorrow along with a USAA insurance meeting. The claim adjuster is coming out to me with a lawyer to discuss the situation. I'm blaming the apartment complex 100% for their negligence. I've done a couple over the phone consultations with local law firms and they have all told me I have a pretty good case here. I really hope that is the case. I've had a couple people tell me it's all my fault because my 22s aren't road safe, which doesn't make sense to me especially with brand new Z rated Falkens tires on them. I have PLENTY of traction along with traction control in the vehicle. Some people just don't understand the power of a little ice on the road.

[jonbearsmt 919]

that sucks dood i hope you get better... sorry to hear about the ride too its more then a car to me aswell bass is like a tranquil tool for me

[ssh 924]

get in there bro!!! and as for therapy this might help you find new ways of therapy.

J

Thanks man. I'm not sure where to turn right now as far as that goes. Driving my car and listening to music was just so therapeutic for me. Unfortunately, I've been having more frequent panic attacks since the accident. Mainly because I know I can't just walk outside and go for a ride to calm down. I have a doctors appointment scheduled for tomorrow along with a USAA insurance meeting. The claim adjuster is coming out to me with a lawyer to discuss the situation. I'm blaming the apartment complex 100% for their negligence. I've done a couple over the phone consultations with local law firms and they have all told me I have a pretty good case here. I really hope that is the case. I've had a couple people tell me it's all my fault because my 22s aren't road safe, which doesn't make sense to me especially with brand new Z rated Falkens tires on them. I have PLENTY of traction along with traction control in the vehicle. Some people just don't understand the power of a little ice on the road.

They may try and use that against your case, that such large rims aren't road safe, in that case just state how long you've been driving with large rims and haven't had any accidents.

Hope everything gets sorted out for ya!

[Dutchie. 10]

I hope you win that insurance case. Best of luck to you, and also a speedy recovery. Hopefully you can work on something new soon. Was any of the system salvageable?

[stevemead08 752]

Damn. glad you walked away!

[jonbearsmt 919]

if the rims were still good see if you cant swap them out after the case and ill gettem from ya

[shizzzon 461]

not to take sides but this side of the story can come up to-

What if the weather predictions stated for that day said no rain yet it rained unannounced...

You come through an area that it had rained unknowingly and it froze over.. You slide and wreck.

Even though the complex may have been illegally using water, it can still fall back on the driver being negligent.

What if you hit someone? It's a dominoe effect...

They would sue you, then you would have to try and sue the owner who was using the sprinkler system...

All i gotta say is, the lawyer better be pretty wise...

[inkfx 3]

Jon, I will have to double check the rims when I take a look at them tomorrow. I would think that they may be bent but then again I am not 100% sure. If I can salvage them and get reimbursed for a new set I will give you a ridiculous deal on them.

I'm really anxious about the meeting tomorrow. Thankfully I still have a couple Adavant left that should ease my anxiety for now. I just wish I had my car!!

My box was in perfect shape so I hope my subs are alright. Wont be able to visually inspect them until tomorrow. The only thing i grabbed from my car was my Sundown SAZ-1500D. I'm sure my driver side 6.5" is ruined but thankfully I still had my old Rockford Fosgate set in there. Sitting next to me are a set of the JLs I just bought so I'm thankful for that. It really sucks because i was supposed to do all sorts of work on my car the next two weeks to get it the way I want. Now I'm just praying the car isn't totaled and can be fixed.

I will post pictures and updates on the meeting tomorrow evening.

[bimmerboy 3]

cars/subs/rims, all that stuff can be replaced. You however cannot be.

Glad you are alive and don't worry you will get all that stuff back

[stevemead08 752]

any pics of the car?

BTW USAA is the best company i have ever done business with. i do all my banking, investing, and insuring with them.

[inkfx 3]

not to take sides but this side of the story can come up to-

What if the weather predictions stated for that day said no rain yet it rained unannounced...

You come through an area that it had rained unknowingly and it froze over.. You slide and wreck.

Even though the complex may have been illegally using water, it can still fall back on the driver being negligent.

What if you hit someone? It's a dominoe effect...

They would sue you, then you would have to try and sue the owner who was using the sprinkler system...

All i gotta say is, the lawyer better be pretty wise...

The thing is, according to SAWS (our local water company) it is illegal for you to drain water into the streets. Especially at the amount they were draining. The reason I know this for a 100% fact is that my dad was fined several months ago for letting water run into the street. Weather predicted no rain, and freezing conditions. Yet, their sprinkler system was still engaged causing a sheet of ice to form. I understand it is on a timer and my point is it was negligent for them to not check weather and disable the system. That is their responsibility, not mine. There are also NO posted signs indicated that water and ice may be on the road. Had their sprinkler system not been engaged during freezing conditions, none of this would have happened.

[inkfx 3]

any pics of the car?

BTW USAA is the best company i have ever done business with. i do all my banking, investing, and insuring with them.

As of right now, no. I don't have any images of the damage. The only thing I snapped pictures of was my audio equipment in case the guys on the lot decided to play pick n pull on my car. I will have pictures up tomorrow after the meeting with USAA representatives.

[gcs8 10]

glad you are ok dude, i understand the anxiety thing i have a bit of it too its been getting much better tho. working on my car has helped me as has just getting back out in to the world and excersize and better diet. its all about finding what works for you.

hope you get your car back up and running soon, keep us updated. if you ever need to talk send me a pm.

[jcarter1885 995]

not to take sides but this side of the story can come up to-

What if the weather predictions stated for that day said no rain yet it rained unannounced...

You come through an area that it had rained unknowingly and it froze over.. You slide and wreck.

Even though the complex may have been illegally using water, it can still fall back on the driver being negligent.

What if you hit someone? It's a dominoe effect...

They would sue you, then you would have to try and sue the owner who was using the sprinkler system...

All i gotta say is, the lawyer better be pretty wise...

The thing is, according to SAWS (our local water company) it is illegal for you to drain water into the streets. Especially at the amount they were draining. The reason I know this for a 100% fact is that my dad was fined several months ago for letting water run into the street. Weather predicted no rain, and freezing conditions. Yet, their sprinkler system was still engaged causing a sheet of ice to form. I understand it is on a timer and my point is it was negligent for them to not check weather and disable the system. That is their responsibility, not mine. There are also NO posted signs indicated that water and ice may be on the road. Had their sprinkler system not been engaged during freezing conditions, none of this would have happened.

9 times out of 10 that applies to houses and not apartments. No offense but I personally dont see you having a case and I dont think that will matter about the sprinklers being on. Hopefully they can work with you for something and you can get this situated. Water and Ice on the Road signs usually are only put on bridges or overpasses, you rarely see them in the street unless it is in an area prone to freezing. They cant go out and put a sign up before it freezes in/on every street. You gotta take caution and know any wet ground at a certain temperature will cause the water to freeze over and cause ice.

[Tirefryr 1,742]

I'm glad to hear you are okay, but this is nobody's fault but your own. Man up. Are you kidding me that you are going to blame your own negligence on someone's inability to check a weather forecast or not dump water into the street? It's evident from your first post you were driving far too fast and not for the conditions. Use this as a learning experience. Seriously.

[inkfx 3]

not to take sides but this side of the story can come up to-

What if the weather predictions stated for that day said no rain yet it rained unannounced...

You come through an area that it had rained unknowingly and it froze over.. You slide and wreck.

Even though the complex may have been illegally using water, it can still fall back on the driver being negligent.

What if you hit someone? It's a dominoe effect...

They would sue you, then you would have to try and sue the owner who was using the sprinkler system...

All i gotta say is, the lawyer better be pretty wise...

The thing is, according to SAWS (our local water company) it is illegal for you to drain water into the streets. Especially at the amount they were draining. The reason I know this for a 100% fact is that my dad was fined several months ago for letting water run into the street. Weather predicted no rain, and freezing conditions. Yet, their sprinkler system was still engaged causing a sheet of ice to form. I understand it is on a timer and my point is it was negligent for them to not check weather and disable the system. That is their responsibility, not mine. There are also NO posted signs indicated that water and ice may be on the road. Had their sprinkler system not been engaged during freezing conditions, none of this would have happened.

9 times out of 10 that applies to houses and not apartments. No offense but I personally dont see you having a case unless there was a freeze advisory or warning in effect then I dont think that will matter about the sprinklers being on. Hopefully they can work with you for something and you can get this situated. Water and Ice on the Road signs usually are only put on bridges or overpasses, you rarely see them in the street unless it is in an area prone to freezing. They cant go out and put a sign up before it freezes in/on every street. You gotta take caution and know any wet ground at a certain temperature will cause the water to freeze over and cause ice.

Is it not their responsibility to check the weather to see if the abundant amount of water they have flowing into a public street may freeze and cause problems for people over night? It just seems like it could have easily been prevented. Now, had it been raining and there were warnings in effect for ice in the road, I understand it would most likely have been my fault for not being more "cautious". At least, that is my understanding from what the police officer told me. As far as the sign is concerned, if they have water just flowing in the road and it's going to be below freezing, they should put a sign up. There was absolutely NO warning. I had no idea that there would be ice on the road. Here in Texas you don't see much ice ever, if any. I just think they should have taken the precautions to necessary to avoid accidents like this. I'm also not even sure how legal it is for them to have the water running at that time of night. We have pretty tight restrictions around here with all the drought.

[jcarter1885 995]

Bro I live in DFW area, we see ice all the time especially when the weather drops (forget what state your in, if there is water on the ground and it sits with temperautes below 40 degress then it will freeze more than likely). That is pure common sense, in Texas we have to worry about Black Ice more than the Ice you can see so yeah it can be hard to see but if you know its cold out that night thats a given. I dont expect to see a sign or warning to let me know it is cold outside and the streets may possibly be frozen over with ice. If this were to be a real case then a number of people could file for the same thing, apartment complexes arent gonna change there timers for one night of freezing weather when there wasnt a freeze advisory put in warning. If you do take this to court just like another incident that happens on apartment property they will tell you to move in to a single family dwelling (house) to avoid things like this. Staying in an apartment you forfeit a lot of rights you think you have or what is ethical or not ethical, so remember that. Arguing with a apartment complex will leave you with a headache and wasted time, trust me been there.

I understand your upset and without a car (im in the same boat and feel your pain) but sometimes its nobody's fault.