Well, I'm back from the hospital with a body brace that is supporting my compression-fractured L2 vertebra. I went to see a friend in the hospital who had a heart attack--his wife called me a little after 1:00 AM on Friday morning. They needed support so I went down. When I finally left the hospital it was past 3:30.
About 15 to 20 minutes later I was driving down about a 12% grade hill just about a mile from home. I was jolted awake as the left front tire slammed over the median curb. A tree was directly in front of me so I steered to the right, got back onto the pavement and tried turning left but the tires basically just squealed and the Suby felt squeamish. Another big "BLAM" as the right front went over the high curb. I was hurtling through bushes as seen on safaris. Avoided two more trees by yanking the steering wheel hard right then hard left, then started going up the embankment. I didn't want to go back down backwards nor flip so I turned hard left. The Suby bounced hard on some big rocks.
The next thing I knew was my head was heading back from the steering wheel. The airbag had deployed. Engine was still purring quietly. The smoke smell came from the airbag but I turned off the engine, then turned on the ignition to keep the headlights on. I was down in a ditch facing upwards at an angle.
My back was in searing pain. I called my brother-in- law who is my health care agent, panting all the while I talked. My sister-in-law called 911. In a few minutes, two sheriffs' cars, the ambulance, the fire engine and crews and my brother- and sister-in-law were on the scene.
My brother-in-law saw the car at the towing yard. He said I blew out both front tires, the right front corner was damaged but overall the car seemed like it had folded in a slight arc. Evidence of that was seen on the interior parts too. He feels certain the insurance company will "total" the car.
So, I'm without car. As one of my friends said yesterday, "He (meaning me) loved that car." I nodded in agreement. It's the best car I have ever owned. Solid through and through, not a speck of rust on it, and an "eye baller" as another brother-in-law put it. "What does that mean?" I asked. He said, 'when you see your car for the first time, you just stare at the car because of its good looks that you "eyeball" it--as the guys in the car industry would say.'
I'm sure glad the airbag worked. Otherwise, I would surely have head injuries and possibly more serious back injuries too.
I'll be out of work for a month or so. But now I'm trying to figure out how to get another car. Maybe a good turbo bf will go up for sale locally. That would be nice.
So, good bye little Suby. You were a beautiful little car. You gave me fun, thrills, and enjoyment. You responded so well to my inputs . . . and you protected me to the end . . . I will dearly miss you . . .
Goodbye to my baby
Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators
Goodbye to my baby
'94 TW
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vrg3
- Vikash
- Posts: 12517
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
- Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
- Contact:
Wow, man. I am so glad it wasn't worse. I wish you the best as far as recovery goes.
I do really like how it's very easy in our cars to find a seating position that works well for the airbag. In my parents' Honda Odyssey I can't possibly arrange it so the bag wouldn't just smack me in the face. In the Legacy, it hits square in the chest.
I also hope your friend does okay.
I do really like how it's very easy in our cars to find a seating position that works well for the airbag. In my parents' Honda Odyssey I can't possibly arrange it so the bag wouldn't just smack me in the face. In the Legacy, it hits square in the chest.
I also hope your friend does okay.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
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LaureltheQueen
- Spelling Nazi
- Posts: 4644
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 7:14 am
- Location: Lynnwood, WA
- Contact:
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gustavohuber
- First Gear
- Posts: 149
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2005 6:33 am
- Location: Oakland, CA
Wow, as everyone's said.. glad that you're in allright shape. I once fell asleep while coming back up from Santa Barbara to the bay area after being unable to sleep for a long while after a messy breakup. I hit the k-rail and did a two-wheel boogie in my little s-10 for a ways down the US101, and luckily landed with the rubber side down. I can only imagine the spook you got.. again.. so glad you're allright.
ex-devastated ex-owner of the $5500 parts car!
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tris91ricer
- Title Whore
- Posts: 2692
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:19 am
- Location: Valdosta, GA
Alright indeed! I'd tell you how lucky you are, but I think you know now. 
Don't worry; you'll heal, and the car might even be fixable, you never know. And at the very least, get as many parts off of it as you can, and when you find another decent BC, throw 'em all in to remind you! (of the good times, not the back accident..)
Don't worry; you'll heal, and the car might even be fixable, you never know. And at the very least, get as many parts off of it as you can, and when you find another decent BC, throw 'em all in to remind you! (of the good times, not the back accident..)
[b]'92 L Sedan[/b]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD
[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD
[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
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legacy92ej22t
- Knowledgeable
- Posts: 5203
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2002 3:59 am
- Location: Cogan Station, PA
Wow, that's crazy! I'm glad you are allright for the most part (broken back=not good). Good luck in your recovery.
-Matt
'92 SS 5mt. All go and no show. Sold :(
'94 Audi UrS4 Modded (new project)
'96 Outback 5mt.
'07 Legacy 2.5i SE
[quote="Redlined"]
Oh... and I hope the fucker get bunked with Gunter, arrested for raping Gorillas.[/quote]
'92 SS 5mt. All go and no show. Sold :(
'94 Audi UrS4 Modded (new project)
'96 Outback 5mt.
'07 Legacy 2.5i SE
[quote="Redlined"]
Oh... and I hope the fucker get bunked with Gunter, arrested for raping Gorillas.[/quote]
Len,
Glad to hear your alright man. That's the most important thing, cars can be replaced, you can't. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help ya out.
Glad to hear your alright man. That's the most important thing, cars can be replaced, you can't. Let us know if there's anything we can do to help ya out.
Josh
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT
If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
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AWD_addict
- Fifth Gear
- Posts: 2774
- Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2003 12:22 am
- Location: Western WA!
Glad to hear you are doing alright and that your back is fine. Having had extensive lower back work done and taking a big 'hit' while still in the brace myself, I know just how scary and painful it can be waiting to find out if everything is still good. Glad your's is.
Don't fret too much over the car, another beautiful legacy will come around soon for you and you'll be 'back at home'.
Don't fret too much over the car, another beautiful legacy will come around soon for you and you'll be 'back at home'.
Lee
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
93' SS, 5mt swapped, 182k, not stock...
96' N/A OBW 5sp, 212k, Couple mods... RIP
99' N/A OBW, 4eat, mostly stock.
where are you located? I know where there's a turbo sedan sitting in someone's driveway.. not for sale but I'm sure they'd sell it. I was going to stop and ask but I'd rather have an xt6
yo mang, can I get a rootshell?
1991 N/A, 4eat, crazy lights, junk suspension, sticker wagon
1989 xt6 work in progress
1991 N/A, 4eat, crazy lights, junk suspension, sticker wagon
1989 xt6 work in progress
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entirelyturbo
- quasi-mod-o
- Posts: 6000
- Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2002 7:06 pm
- Location: Tampa, FL
MANY THANKS to everyone for your sentiments and kind support. Yes, it's better that I'm still around rather than my car being around and not me.
The doc said (after xrays and catscan) that the bone fragments from the L-2 vertebra went forward instead of backward into the spine area. If it went into the spine area, more than likely an operation would have been needed to remove the fragments.
I've got a $2500 brace on that does not fit me, though. The company that made this "custom fit" brace is supposed to come out today to fix it. The first time they worked on it, the technician just taped some foam stuff onto the brace and the first time I removed the brace (to go to bed) the foam fell out. Supposedly this time they will be using a heat gun to actually re-form the curvture of the brace to fit my lower back. The brace currently touches every part of my body except the lower back -- and that's exactly where the support is needed.
Vikash, thanks for the hopeful words about my friend. The surgeon put a stent (sp?) in during the emergency surgery. They said he would need another operation but they didn't think his body could withstand the shock so they figured in about a month they would do a second surgery. But the next day he started having pains in his chest so they went back in and put another stent in. Last night his wife called and said he was doing fine.
Josh and Scott, thanks for the offer for help. My friends are great here. Since my wife passed away almost 5 years ago, I live alone so my friends see that I need more help than usual. A bunch of them cleaned my house the day before I came back from the hospital. They've been bringing over groceries and dinner every day since I've been back home. Four of my friends contributed the $400 to fill a prescription to keep my blood from getting blood clots (I give myself the injections once a day and I have to do it for at least 2 weeks). Another friend brought dinner over and gave me a get well card and included $200 for utility, phone, gas bills, etc. Last night I had friends over till 10:00 PM talking to me. I'm very thankful for the friends I have. They really show a lot of love.
Operose, I'm in AZ.
Lee, someday you'll have to tell me about your back. Hope it's doing well.
subyluvr2212, I've been going like crazy all day and night for many weeks with work and helping other friends. I hadn't had much sleep in a few days. I was already quite exhausted when I got the phone call about my friend but I could hear the anxiety and trembling fear in his wife's voice. I couldn't just stay home.
The accident occured just a little before 4:00 AM. I knew I was quite tired and was getting sleepy driving but I didn't think I was that tired. Evidently my body felt differently. I don't know where I fell asleep going down that hill. I had the windows open and the radio blasting really loud and I didn't feel drowsy. But the next thing I knew I was going over the median curb. Depending on where I fell asleep, I estimate my car speed somewhere between 45 and 65 mph. My brother-in-law spoke to one of the officers and the tow truck driver and they could not see a point of entry where I went through the bushes. The conclusion they came to was that my car actually went airborne. I DO remember saying, "Whoooooooa!" twice, once before heading up the embankment and then on the way down from it. I knew I was going at a pretty good clip and that I was in really big trouble so my goal was to avoid hitting anything too solid that would bring me to an abrupt stop.
91legacy_sleeper, I'm going to see if I can get parts off the car but I don't know how I'm going to do that with my back in the condition it's in or if the insurance company will allow me to do that. And if I have to buy the car back, I don't have a place to store the car to leisurely part it out. Well, we'll see what happens. . .
The doc said (after xrays and catscan) that the bone fragments from the L-2 vertebra went forward instead of backward into the spine area. If it went into the spine area, more than likely an operation would have been needed to remove the fragments.
I've got a $2500 brace on that does not fit me, though. The company that made this "custom fit" brace is supposed to come out today to fix it. The first time they worked on it, the technician just taped some foam stuff onto the brace and the first time I removed the brace (to go to bed) the foam fell out. Supposedly this time they will be using a heat gun to actually re-form the curvture of the brace to fit my lower back. The brace currently touches every part of my body except the lower back -- and that's exactly where the support is needed.
Vikash, thanks for the hopeful words about my friend. The surgeon put a stent (sp?) in during the emergency surgery. They said he would need another operation but they didn't think his body could withstand the shock so they figured in about a month they would do a second surgery. But the next day he started having pains in his chest so they went back in and put another stent in. Last night his wife called and said he was doing fine.
Josh and Scott, thanks for the offer for help. My friends are great here. Since my wife passed away almost 5 years ago, I live alone so my friends see that I need more help than usual. A bunch of them cleaned my house the day before I came back from the hospital. They've been bringing over groceries and dinner every day since I've been back home. Four of my friends contributed the $400 to fill a prescription to keep my blood from getting blood clots (I give myself the injections once a day and I have to do it for at least 2 weeks). Another friend brought dinner over and gave me a get well card and included $200 for utility, phone, gas bills, etc. Last night I had friends over till 10:00 PM talking to me. I'm very thankful for the friends I have. They really show a lot of love.
Operose, I'm in AZ.
Lee, someday you'll have to tell me about your back. Hope it's doing well.
subyluvr2212, I've been going like crazy all day and night for many weeks with work and helping other friends. I hadn't had much sleep in a few days. I was already quite exhausted when I got the phone call about my friend but I could hear the anxiety and trembling fear in his wife's voice. I couldn't just stay home.
The accident occured just a little before 4:00 AM. I knew I was quite tired and was getting sleepy driving but I didn't think I was that tired. Evidently my body felt differently. I don't know where I fell asleep going down that hill. I had the windows open and the radio blasting really loud and I didn't feel drowsy. But the next thing I knew I was going over the median curb. Depending on where I fell asleep, I estimate my car speed somewhere between 45 and 65 mph. My brother-in-law spoke to one of the officers and the tow truck driver and they could not see a point of entry where I went through the bushes. The conclusion they came to was that my car actually went airborne. I DO remember saying, "Whoooooooa!" twice, once before heading up the embankment and then on the way down from it. I knew I was going at a pretty good clip and that I was in really big trouble so my goal was to avoid hitting anything too solid that would bring me to an abrupt stop.
91legacy_sleeper, I'm going to see if I can get parts off the car but I don't know how I'm going to do that with my back in the condition it's in or if the insurance company will allow me to do that. And if I have to buy the car back, I don't have a place to store the car to leisurely part it out. Well, we'll see what happens. . .
'94 TW
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tris91ricer
- Title Whore
- Posts: 2692
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:19 am
- Location: Valdosta, GA
Everything for a reason, my friend. There's always a reason...
Glad to hear you've got some wickedly-supportive friends, that's absolutely wonderful.
Get some good rest, maybe read some driving books, since you're laid-up? You'll be back in no time, I know it.
Good Luck.
Glad to hear you've got some wickedly-supportive friends, that's absolutely wonderful.
Get some good rest, maybe read some driving books, since you're laid-up? You'll be back in no time, I know it.
Good Luck.
[b]'92 L Sedan[/b]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD
[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
EJ20g 4.11 5sp LSD
[quote]e46 owners tend to be twats.
[/quote]
Update:
Well, after my last post, the motherboard on my computer decided to quit. Finally got it fixed--a friend of mine did it for me.
The insurance company will allow me to buy the Legacy back for a little over $800 or they will "total" the car and give me about $900 for it. The insurance company's estimator says it will cost $5600 to repair--4 reconditioned wheels and tires, replacement front bumper and front fenders, crossmember, axle, bearing, strut, lower control arm, sway bar, airbag, etc. But I wonder how much he knows since he says I need a new ABS unit when I don't have ABS and he says my car is a 5mt when it's an AT. And the report says I have several cigaret burns in the upholstery--hah, not even one cigaret has ever been in the car. The accident ripped off one of my chrome tail pipe pieces too.
But if the frame and strut have been bent, it means the car will never be the same. With the engine having low compression and the tranny just starting to shift a little funny, it's not worth buying it back. And, supposedly the dash has huge cracks in it. It needs a new windshield, and somehow the hood and roof both have dents in them and a headlight is cracked.
One thing I will miss is the custom-made suede flocking on the back of the headrests. It had the Subaru emblem with "Legacy" written underneath it. I guess because it made the interior different than any other Legacy I know of.
The insurance company sent me a few pics of the car. The left front wrx wheel is bent in four places! Two of them looked like around the size of a fist!
One of my friends said I knocked over a tree, a small one, with a trunk diameter of about 4". On the way to the doctor's on Monday I saw it. The mesquite tree trunk is still in the ground but the trunk is split and the tree is bent over.
There were about two or three concrete abutments in the area where I went off the road. Boy, that would have been bad if I had smashed into one of those!
The doc told me don't even think of working for the next 2 or 3 months. But, as recommended by him, I'm walking a lot, about 1 to 2 hours a day and I can feel I'm getting stronger almost daily.
So, you guys, if you're tired, stop your car before you get too sleepy and walk around the car to wake up or just pull off the road and get some shut-eye. I knew that before the accident and it would have been to my advantage to have done it!
Well, after my last post, the motherboard on my computer decided to quit. Finally got it fixed--a friend of mine did it for me.
The insurance company will allow me to buy the Legacy back for a little over $800 or they will "total" the car and give me about $900 for it. The insurance company's estimator says it will cost $5600 to repair--4 reconditioned wheels and tires, replacement front bumper and front fenders, crossmember, axle, bearing, strut, lower control arm, sway bar, airbag, etc. But I wonder how much he knows since he says I need a new ABS unit when I don't have ABS and he says my car is a 5mt when it's an AT. And the report says I have several cigaret burns in the upholstery--hah, not even one cigaret has ever been in the car. The accident ripped off one of my chrome tail pipe pieces too.
But if the frame and strut have been bent, it means the car will never be the same. With the engine having low compression and the tranny just starting to shift a little funny, it's not worth buying it back. And, supposedly the dash has huge cracks in it. It needs a new windshield, and somehow the hood and roof both have dents in them and a headlight is cracked.
One thing I will miss is the custom-made suede flocking on the back of the headrests. It had the Subaru emblem with "Legacy" written underneath it. I guess because it made the interior different than any other Legacy I know of.
The insurance company sent me a few pics of the car. The left front wrx wheel is bent in four places! Two of them looked like around the size of a fist!
One of my friends said I knocked over a tree, a small one, with a trunk diameter of about 4". On the way to the doctor's on Monday I saw it. The mesquite tree trunk is still in the ground but the trunk is split and the tree is bent over.
There were about two or three concrete abutments in the area where I went off the road. Boy, that would have been bad if I had smashed into one of those!
The doc told me don't even think of working for the next 2 or 3 months. But, as recommended by him, I'm walking a lot, about 1 to 2 hours a day and I can feel I'm getting stronger almost daily.
So, you guys, if you're tired, stop your car before you get too sleepy and walk around the car to wake up or just pull off the road and get some shut-eye. I knew that before the accident and it would have been to my advantage to have done it!
'94 TW
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vrg3
- Vikash
- Posts: 12517
- Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
- Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
- Contact:
Yeah, you're probably right that it isn't really worth it to buy it back.
You'll have a chance to go back and get your belongings from the car (or send a friend to do it), right? You could grab the headrests when you do.
I'm glad to hear you're progressing towards recovery.
You'll have a chance to go back and get your belongings from the car (or send a friend to do it), right? You could grab the headrests when you do.
I'm glad to hear you're progressing towards recovery.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
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tris91ricer
- Title Whore
- Posts: 2692
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:19 am
- Location: Valdosta, GA
91legacy_sleeper: I was looking for a piece of information and somehow got back on this thread and realized that I didn't answer your question about the work I do. I'm what's called in my industry, a "solar control specialist" or "solar control professional," etc. Translation: I'm a window tinter. Not usually for cars but install solar control film (tint) on homes and offices.
It may not look like hard work (certainly not like digging ditches all day or something like that) but I do need the full use of my back when applying pressure as I squeegie out the installation solution from under the film. At times I have to move heavy furniture like king-sized solid wooden bed frames to get to the windows, or straddle a ladder and squeegie about 3-4 feet to the right and left, or stand on top (yes, on the very top rung) of an extension ladder with standoff and still reach 6 feet above while I install the film. So, my back has to be in pretty good shape which is why the doctor told me not to even think of going back to work for at least 2-3 months.
Well, as of last week, I'm back to work. I just don't yet have a vehicle of my own. 
I'm borrowing a friend's pick up truck but I have to return it in a couple of days. Would you believe, my bc carried all of my work equipment more efficiently than does the pickup truck!
I had an amusing experience today. I was heading back to my shop to pick up some equipment and I see a bc driving in the other direction. I was on a deadline so I decided not to turn around to follow the Legacy. After picking up the equipment, I figured that perhaps the driver of the bc may have gone to the mini-mall. Sure enough, I see the car, it's a '93 FWD and in really good shape. As I"m looking at it, the owner comes out of the store. He looks like he's in his mid-70's to early 80's. I ask him about the car and he raves about how good Subarus are. Then I ask him if he's willing to sell his Subaru to me. He looks at me like I'm crazy, like he's disgusted with me for even asking that question. By then he's in his driver's seat so I say goodbye. As I walk away, he starts the engine (sounded really tight and responsive) and he starts blipping then revving the engine! As he drives away he looks at me with the expression, "See what I mean about this Subaru? It's in great shape! I can even race it if I want to. I ain't selling it to you!" I start chuckling. You had to be there--oh, it was so funny!
It may not look like hard work (certainly not like digging ditches all day or something like that) but I do need the full use of my back when applying pressure as I squeegie out the installation solution from under the film. At times I have to move heavy furniture like king-sized solid wooden bed frames to get to the windows, or straddle a ladder and squeegie about 3-4 feet to the right and left, or stand on top (yes, on the very top rung) of an extension ladder with standoff and still reach 6 feet above while I install the film. So, my back has to be in pretty good shape which is why the doctor told me not to even think of going back to work for at least 2-3 months.
Well, as of last week, I'm back to work.
I just don't yet have a vehicle of my own. I'm borrowing a friend's pick up truck but I have to return it in a couple of days. Would you believe, my bc carried all of my work equipment more efficiently than does the pickup truck!I had an amusing experience today. I was heading back to my shop to pick up some equipment and I see a bc driving in the other direction. I was on a deadline so I decided not to turn around to follow the Legacy. After picking up the equipment, I figured that perhaps the driver of the bc may have gone to the mini-mall. Sure enough, I see the car, it's a '93 FWD and in really good shape. As I"m looking at it, the owner comes out of the store. He looks like he's in his mid-70's to early 80's. I ask him about the car and he raves about how good Subarus are. Then I ask him if he's willing to sell his Subaru to me. He looks at me like I'm crazy, like he's disgusted with me for even asking that question. By then he's in his driver's seat so I say goodbye. As I walk away, he starts the engine (sounded really tight and responsive) and he starts blipping then revving the engine! As he drives away he looks at me with the expression, "See what I mean about this Subaru? It's in great shape! I can even race it if I want to. I ain't selling it to you!" I start chuckling. You had to be there--oh, it was so funny!
'94 TW
In case anyone wanted to know, my back is feeling pretty good. It gets stiff if I sit for a couple of hours and it's not too easy to bend to the right (like trying to roll the truck window up or down) and I can tell I'm not ready to carry a really heavy load right now. But I'm very happy how it has healed and how I can use it. With proper exercise, rest, and nutrition, it will get even better.
'94 TW