Near Head on Collision (Why my view on Hyundai quality is forever changed)

"The Dummy Gummy" (dummygummy)
03/10/2014 at 21:27 • Filed to: accident, hyundai

I haven't had a chance to put this up, but on Friday I saw the worst accident I've ever seen with the best possible outcome. It was almost 6PM EST when I saw a massive accident, that occurred about 5 cars in front of me, involving two cars. The second car almost swung into me, but luckily it just barely missed. What I'm amazed by is that no other car was involved. I don't understand how it was even possible.

The road I was on was a two lane county road where the speed limit was 50MPH. The driver in my lane had to be doing at minimum 60 as I was cruising at 58 to keep up with traffic, but was losing distance. The other car I assume had to be doing 50 as well as the traffic on the other side was hauling. Seconds before the accident happened I received a text; which caught my eye and when I looked back towards the road (no I didn't check my phone, just a quick glance) a car was spinning in 360 loops towards me; while I watched a second car spin round and around in the other direction. Within a split second two people's lives could have been changed for the worse forever. The reason for the accident, the man in my lane dropped his cigarette, bent down to pick it up and drifted into oncoming traffic, devastating a Hyundai Elantra. The lady had no time to react as there was no space. It was simply one lane next to another lane.

Here is what happened to the Elantra:

The other car some how got deflected off of the Hyundai, but still did significant damage. The other car's front end was completely smashed. It hit the Hyundia so hard it ripped the one wheel off and the other wheel ripped off from spinning. The Hyundai probably did 2-4 full revolutions before ending up backwards in the woods facing the same direction I was originally traveling. The other car came to a rest after a few revolutions on the same side of the road about two football length fields away (600 yards). They both ended up on the east side of the road. Again, no other car was involved. I couldn't believe my eyes. I can only assume both cars are totaled.

What floored me is that not one person stopped to help. I immediately pulled over as her car ended up directly across from me. When I went to check on her I was in for another astonishing surprise, she wasn't hurt. She was badly shooken up (rightfully so) and definitely in a state of shock. After I went through a few questions to make sure she was indeed OK and went onto a second round of "are you okay" she came back with a funny comment "Nothing hurts, but I do have a cut on my pinky". THAT WAS IT!!! A cut on the pinky. I wouldn't know until later that she was indeed okay, probably had a concussion, but not fatal blows. The cars safety performance was executed flawlessly. She was surrounded by airbags everywhere. She looked like she was in a giant marshmallow. The jaws of life did have to come out to get her out of the car, but she was okay.

The other guy seemed to be okay. He got out of his car and was sitting on the other side talking to the officer who got there no more than three minutes after I called 911. From what I heard his foot hurt, but no significant cuts or injuries. I didn't really get too much detail on him as I stayed with her until the fire department was there.

To say I'm impressed with Hyundai's safety performance is an understatement. A pretty much head on collision with two cars going around 50mph and no one was hurt is absolutely astonishing. It made me think of the Subaru commercial where the main message was "they lived". Well, she/(they) lived.

Here is the one wheel ripped off with the suspension and all.

A song that goes with the story (has nothing to do with the story other then the lyrics "head on collision")

Edited: added near, since it isn't a true head on. My apologies for the inadvertent sensationalism.

DISCUSSION (25)

Brian Silvestro > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:30

That'll buff out.

The Dummy Gummy > Brian Silvestro
03/10/2014 at 21:32

I wish I could have took more pictures, but I felt awful even taking any. She was still in the car at that point. I was talking to the officer; and quickly snapped a photo only because I was amazed someone could survive what I just saw.

N/A POWAAAHH > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:33

Was she small? That could also affect outcomes. 6' 8" dude with knees almost in the dash or a 400 pound guy, vs a 110 lb 5' 4" lady. There would be wildly different outcomes

Brian Silvestro > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:33

I'm sure you were also in a state of shock, some crazy shit.

All Motor Is Best Motor > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:33

I'm going to be the douche who points out that the damage done to the Hyundai does NOT look like a head on collision. But I get your point, and it was an interesting read.

Lekker > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:36

Holy hell. First: Glad you're alright. Second: Glad they're alright. A head on collision at 50mph does not simply scare someone, it usually kills them. That is some impressive news to me. Doesn't seeing an accident change your perspective of what about our life actually matters? It truly does change someone. Not to say if there was true gore involved, those are some images you cannot wash off your mind. Truly am glad everyone is ok.

The Dummy Gummy > All Motor Is Best Motor
03/10/2014 at 21:38

He hit where that chunk is missing from the bumper, below the smashed light and then glided down the entire side of the car. It wasn't perfectly head on, but it classifies as a head on collision. I'm not sure how else how to even write it differently.

The Dummy Gummy > N/A POWAAAHH
03/10/2014 at 21:39

No, actually she was probably around 300-400lbs. There was no chance I would have been able to help even if I could get the door open. You're right that could have been a major factor in the outcome of this.

Mbdurham > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:41

Did I miss it? What was he driving? Why no props to the safety of his vehicle ?

N/A POWAAAHH > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:42

Ok, color me impressed!

The Dummy Gummy > Mbdurham
03/10/2014 at 21:44

I didn't really give props because his car was a tank. It was an old school land yacht. I forget the type of car; which is why I didn't put it in the story. His car was definitely smashed in the front. I was actually surprised how much damage the car took, probably due to the crumple zone.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:45

I do remember a new Hyundai Accent understeered into the Jetta (It's a MKIV) on the driveway last year, the Jetta only got a small crack in the rear bumper, while the Accent had a deformed right quarterpanel, so the passenger door couldn't open. I'm still a bit skeptical of Hyundai because of this.

Arben72 > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:47

The worst accident I saw was the aftermath of an e320 Cdi rear end a truck at roughly 120 mph, the truck just turned and cut off these 4 kids playing around in their car. Truck was a dump truck with a full loaded, kid in passenger seat was split in half killed instantly. The other 3 survived (hurt but survived). I'm sorry but I can't wait to see a Hyundai do that and not kill everyone in the car. Mercedes sent a team to investigate the car to improve the safety of future models on that accident. I've never heard of any Korean brand doing that, yet companies like bmw and Volvo have fully dedicated teams just for that. There's a premium in price but I believe it's worth it.

The Dummy Gummy > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
03/10/2014 at 21:48

Eh, could be a crumple zone to absorb damage. I'm not sure though. This was an Elantra. At the speeds it was going I was just impressed everyone walked away intact.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 21:49

fuckin hell, I got mad when you said no one else stopped. I understand any car after you thinking "oh he's stopped he'll make sure it's okay"

But the 4 cars in front of you? Dickheads.

Good to see no one was seriously injured though.

I keep a notepad in my glovebox with a short list of things to do when in an accident as I've been in a couple now (not at fault) and there's things you forget when the adrenaline is running.

The Dummy Gummy > Arben72
03/10/2014 at 21:53

Just to clarify I wasn't trying to state it was better than a luxury car (even though comparing Korean cars seems to be whats happening today). I was simply trying to share that after a severely bad accident that could have easily turned fatal, there was a positive outcome.

The Dummy Gummy > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/10/2014 at 21:56

Yea I definitely forgot a few things to ask; like most importantly ask her name. I also didn't tell her to turn her car off until after the third question as it lapsed in my memory.

There were definitely 4 cars in front of me, maybe 5 that didn't stop. No one pulled over when I pulled over. Countless cars driving past the other guy like it was just a blown out flat and he was changing it. It was extremely disappointing to see. What was crazier as I was helping here people were just plowing through the debris. One couple hit a piece of her bumper and it got lodged under their car. They kept going like nothing happened.

It was impressive the total disregard for human life that was going on.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 23:01

yeah, important things like names, phone number, license number, insurance details etc.

Everyone has stopped in all the accidents I have been involved with... granted the last time it held up both lanes of traffic so I had to. My CEO was actually 4 cars back from me so that was kinda funny. My sick leave was approved before I even got to the hospital to get stitches.

The Dummy Gummy > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/10/2014 at 23:03

Ha. That's a good list. Thankfully I wasn't in this one and the cops were there, but a list like that I can totally see useful. Especially how out of it you could be in a significant accident

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 23:09

exactly. I also have my own insurance company and policy number on the list. and a towing company that my mate works for that won't rip me off. The list is more so important for fender benders when the police can't be bothered turning up.

Burrito de EJ25 > The Dummy Gummy
03/10/2014 at 23:30

EUGH WHY ARE CARS SO HEAVY THESE DAYS EUGH PERFORMANCE EUGH FUCK SAFETY OBAMA IS RUINING MY LIFE WITH SAFETY

- Imbeciles

The Dummy Gummy > Burrito de EJ25
03/10/2014 at 23:54

Kinja'd!!!

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > The Dummy Gummy
03/11/2014 at 02:00

A crumple zone, if done right, can keep the cabin area intact, including doors.

Rico > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/11/2014 at 09:22

Hey would you mind posting that list or some of it? I think it'd make a great Oppo post.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Rico
03/11/2014 at 17:49

one day maybe, I didn't bring the car to work with me today. If I do post it'll be a little more comprehensive than whats on my list.