Bye Bye Lotus... :(
Discussion
Well, after 25 years of driving and with a clean licence and zero accidents it happened last night. 
Fortunately I was only doing around 50mph (NSL) but a near head-on with a Merc weighing probably 800kgs more than mine didn't bode well for my little Exige.
So, 6 weeks and about 1000 miles and that's it - gone.
I was fortunate in that I escaped with a busted shoulder, multitude of lacerations to my arms and face, good bruising to arms and legs, and had to endure 7 hours at A&E having fibre glass scrubbed (and I mean SCRUBBED!) out of the deep cuts.
Thank Heavens for Morphine.
I still don't remember much of what happened but hey, I'm still here.
Fortunately I was only doing around 50mph (NSL) but a near head-on with a Merc weighing probably 800kgs more than mine didn't bode well for my little Exige.
So, 6 weeks and about 1000 miles and that's it - gone.
I was fortunate in that I escaped with a busted shoulder, multitude of lacerations to my arms and face, good bruising to arms and legs, and had to endure 7 hours at A&E having fibre glass scrubbed (and I mean SCRUBBED!) out of the deep cuts.
Thank Heavens for Morphine.
I still don't remember much of what happened but hey, I'm still here.
HereBeMonsters said:
Bloody hell.
Can I have first dibs on your seats?
The seats will be knackered now that the wheel, tyre, door cross member and part of the suspension have all been chucked on them!Can I have first dibs on your seats?
The engine, however, is absolutely fine.
The car's going to salvage on Monday I believe.
Hells bells mate! That's a good one to walk away from! The car can be replaced (and hopefully, in time will be) but it's brilliant that you were able to live to tell the tale given the obviously heavy impact.
My father was rear-ended by a Porsche in his S1 Elise in April, his neck breaking at the base of his skill and his skull getting partway through the skin in the top of his head in an attempt to escape. He's now 2 months into a 6 month recovery and after being VERY lucky to survive, it's looking positive for him. Hopefully you make a similarly speedy recovery!
My father was rear-ended by a Porsche in his S1 Elise in April, his neck breaking at the base of his skill and his skull getting partway through the skin in the top of his head in an attempt to escape. He's now 2 months into a 6 month recovery and after being VERY lucky to survive, it's looking positive for him. Hopefully you make a similarly speedy recovery!
Is that what doing 50 does? I know one would have to take into account the combined speed but that's some scrape. Glad you came out of it alive, and wish you a speedy recovery. Will you get another one, or has it put you off, will you be looking out for a Hummer/Range Rover next? Thanks for the replies and concerns, chaps - appreciated.
So nearly 3 days have passed and I'm feeling more devastated as time goes on (not to mention more pain at the moment).
It has genuinely scared the s
t out of me, and looking at the pics - as I can't stop doing - has certainly put me off having another Lotus.
I know this sort of thing doesn't happen that often but I just can't help thinking what would have been had one of my kids been travelling with me.
It fills me with dread.
The Merc had front end damage - bonnet, wing and the off-side front wheel/suspension was bust but the driver was able to open her door normally and walked out without a scratch.
The major downside and of greater concern to me was that she's apparently 10 weeks pregnant.
I'm not a religious man, but I'm praying for the safety of her unborn baby.
That was my first Lotus and even after the limited time I had with it I knew it was the car for me.
I'm just going to sit tight and wait for the Police and Insurance company to carry out their respective investigations before I decide what I do next.
I can't even at this moment apportion blame on either myself or the other driver as the country lane was quite narrow and, having gone back to the scene to collect a bit of car memorabilia (half the front spoiler) I noticed how very badly the road is rutted, pot-holed and crumbling away from the middle of each lane.
I also have the paranoia of people pointing the finger at 'the man in the flash sports car'.
I know it shouldn't really be, but how many times do we hear it?
Thanks again.
So nearly 3 days have passed and I'm feeling more devastated as time goes on (not to mention more pain at the moment).
It has genuinely scared the s
t out of me, and looking at the pics - as I can't stop doing - has certainly put me off having another Lotus.I know this sort of thing doesn't happen that often but I just can't help thinking what would have been had one of my kids been travelling with me.
It fills me with dread.
The Merc had front end damage - bonnet, wing and the off-side front wheel/suspension was bust but the driver was able to open her door normally and walked out without a scratch.
The major downside and of greater concern to me was that she's apparently 10 weeks pregnant.
I'm not a religious man, but I'm praying for the safety of her unborn baby.
That was my first Lotus and even after the limited time I had with it I knew it was the car for me.
I'm just going to sit tight and wait for the Police and Insurance company to carry out their respective investigations before I decide what I do next.
I can't even at this moment apportion blame on either myself or the other driver as the country lane was quite narrow and, having gone back to the scene to collect a bit of car memorabilia (half the front spoiler) I noticed how very badly the road is rutted, pot-holed and crumbling away from the middle of each lane.
I also have the paranoia of people pointing the finger at 'the man in the flash sports car'.
I know it shouldn't really be, but how many times do we hear it?
Thanks again.
Edited by Zp on Sunday 3rd July 12:40
Blimey ZP you don't do things by half do you!
Very glad to hear your on the mend and its not a lot worse as looking at those pictures and imagining sitting in the drivers seat as the side exploded around you must have been very nasty.
I know exactly what you mean tho about 'driver of a flash sports car' I was involved in an RTA in my VX220 (along with 5 other cars - standing water on the M25) and dispite being well within the speed limit (later proven by motorway CCTV) and the 2nd car in the incident when the Met got their it was 'right who's the driver of the black car?' and before they had even taken a statement he'd decided I was to blame - though he later all but apologised with the way he treated me after intervieing EVERYONE else first and getting the facts!)
Sports car = *must* have been driving too fast and recklessly as far as most people are concerned
I really hope this does not put you off Lotus ownership though you must be sitting there thinking 'If I was still in the 996...' as there is a LOT more metal round you in one of those!
Get better soon buddy, hope to see you arround at one of the Midland Meets in the future, and all the best for your recovery
Very glad to hear your on the mend and its not a lot worse as looking at those pictures and imagining sitting in the drivers seat as the side exploded around you must have been very nasty.
I know exactly what you mean tho about 'driver of a flash sports car' I was involved in an RTA in my VX220 (along with 5 other cars - standing water on the M25) and dispite being well within the speed limit (later proven by motorway CCTV) and the 2nd car in the incident when the Met got their it was 'right who's the driver of the black car?' and before they had even taken a statement he'd decided I was to blame - though he later all but apologised with the way he treated me after intervieing EVERYONE else first and getting the facts!)
Sports car = *must* have been driving too fast and recklessly as far as most people are concerned
I really hope this does not put you off Lotus ownership though you must be sitting there thinking 'If I was still in the 996...' as there is a LOT more metal round you in one of those!
Get better soon buddy, hope to see you arround at one of the Midland Meets in the future, and all the best for your recovery
Zp said:
I also have the paranoia of people pointing the finger at 'the man in the flash sports car'.
They will, you can be sure. They certainly did when a young bimbo wiped me out on my side of the road when I was riding a motorcycle. Old lady who didnt even see the accident or bother to come over to see how I was took pity on the bimbo and told plod it was my fault. Luckily the bimbo admitted culpability.Edited by Zp on Sunday 3rd July 12:40
Good to know you are largely OK though. And as usual when I see piccies of crashed Loti, I'm surprised by how well the cabin resists impacts. car can be replaced - you can't.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff