First of all I'm OK

[Pythonpete]

...my car NOT SO MUCH.

I don't know how many threads I have read over the years that start out this way.

I was in an accident this morning coming home from Captree. I was driving at the speed of traffic, maybe 50-55. I was in a turn following two of our Viper brethren, when my car started to slide into a Jeep that was next to me. I'm not sure if it was the wet pavement, loose asphalt or what but my car was determined to hit that jeep.

I tried to steer out of the slide but I overcompensated and after I hit the Jeep my car started to spin, did I mention that I was on a bridge? I spun out of control into the guard rail and then back around again (I think) back into the other guardrail.

The girl in the Jeep was fine, I checked on her first. I called the boys in blue then I had a chance to see the results of the accident.

I need to thank Viperjon and Gene first who came back around to check up on me. They did not leave until the State Trooper screamed at them to leave. They made sure I was ok and helped me out a lot. I knew they were good guys but the true test of men is when the chips are down.

MANY people who were leaving Captree stopped to make sure that I was ok, on both sides of the road. Again, the Captree folks are a good bunch who wanted to make sure I was ok.

Lastly I need to thank a Corvette owner!! Whom I know from Captree. He owns the body shop (morgue) that my car was towed to and helped out with the tow truck driver and all of the arrangements.

My car? Most likely totalled. She's in bad shape with damage to pretty much every part of her body. Thankfully I was able to walk away from my car and know it could have been worse. (Thank God I was driving relatively slow)

Now, I wait to hear the results from the insurance adjuster and the body shop.

[viperDoug]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. But luckily you are ok.

[evomind]

Originally Posted by Pythonpete

...my car NOT SO MUCH.

I don't know how many threads I have read over the years that start out this way.

I was in an accident this morning coming home from Captree. I was driving at the speed of traffic, maybe 50-55. I was in a turn following two of our Viper brethren, when my car started to slide into a Jeep that was next to me. I'm not sure if it was the wet pavement, loose asphalt or what but my car was determined to hit that jeep.

I tried to steer out of the slide but I overcompensated and after I hit the Jeep my car started to spin, did I mention that I was on a bridge? I spun out of control into the guard rail and then back around again (I think) back into the other guardrail.

The girl in the Jeep was fine, I checked on her first. I called the boys in blue then I had a chance to see the results of the accident.

I need to thank Viperjon and Gene first who came back around to check up on me. They did not leave until the State Trooper screamed at them to leave. They made sure I was ok and helped me out a lot. I knew they were good guys but the true test of men is when the chips are down.

MANY people who were leaving Captree stopped to make sure that I was ok, on both sides of the road. Again, the Captree folks are a good bunch who wanted to make sure I was ok.

Lastly I need to thank a Corvette owner!! Whom I know from Captree. He owns the body shop (morgue) that my car was towed to and helped out with the tow truck driver and all of the arrangements.

My car? Most likely totalled. She's in bad shape with damage to pretty much every part of her body. Thankfully I was able to walk away from my car and know it could have been worse. (Thank God I was driving relatively slow)

Now, I wait to hear the results from the insurance adjuster and the body shop.

im glad no one was hurt.
as far as the car, who cares? its just a car. thats why u pay insurance companies, right??
let them worry abt it.
heres to the next car....

[CAIN MKII]

That's terrible but you're all right and have one hell of a bunch of good fellows.

[InjectTheVenom]

So very sorry to hear of your misfortune Good to hear that everyone helped ya in such a good way though! I'm really curious if the police can determine what was the real cause for your slide. Life or no life, I would be sick to my stomach if it happened to me because I inherited the cars gene from my granddad..

[Warfang]

Great news about everyone involved... not so good for your Viper or the Jeep you hit. Good luck with the insurance, and of course, call JonB if you need help.

[rcl4668]

I am very sorry to hear about the car but glad you walked away unharmed.

/Rich

[Nader]

Pete first thank god that you and everyone else involved walked away. That is most important. My car has pulled hard left or right depending on the tarmac but that usually is at a higher rate of speed. Sounds odd and kind of scary that it happened to you at such a slow speed. Could it have been the grating on the bridge?

I would think the cold runflats on a slippery bridge attribute a lot to this situation. It is tough enough driving this car in the winter but will cold runflats it is like driving on ice. Once i switched to Pirelli it made all the difference.

Nonetheless, you are okay and there are plenty of other cars to be had, some with 600 hp...

[VIPER BAZ UK]

That sucks!!!!!!! Real sorry to hear this but also glad everyone is OK.....

As said there are other 600HP vipers out there now and some even say ACR....

[BLWNASP]

Sorry to hear about your wreck. When I had my Viper once I spun it pretty good on what must have been sand or gravel that was hard to see.

Thankfully it was a very slow right hand turn and no cars were around. I got lucky, but really learned how fast these cars can get sideways on you.

Glad to hear you're OK and the other driver was as well.

[Jeff Lemke]

Yes, glad you're ok as well.


Jeff

[Pythonpete]

Thanks to everyone for your support.

As everyone stated, the most important thing is that everyone was ok.

Also insurance exists for just such an occasion.

As for the cause, I would assume that the wet pavement plus cold runflats added to the problem.

According to the FINE officer, I must be the WORST DRIVER ON EARTH. Made me feel real good while my $90K+ car is sitting in pieces.

And as you've ALL pointed out, there are 600HP versions, including ACRs. I'll see what happens with the insurance and most likely will have to call JonB for some help.

Thanks again

[Flyntgr]

Pete, I had a similar incident on an overpass with guardrails. Different cause, but same result. My insurer, USAA, had never adjusted A Viper, so we had to go to voluntay mediation to settle. Thank God I'm a trial lawyer and was able to come out okay on that. Talk to Jon Brobst at partsrack for technical and moral support. He can give you and your adjuster some good advice about what to accept, and what NOT to accept. Let me know if I can help in some way.

[plumcrazy]

glad to hear you're ok. cars are just cars and can be replaced. dont sweat it.

but i cant believe how many run flat problems we hear and still people keep them on the car....

[ASPIRATIONS]

Sorry to hear about your accident but as others have said your ok and thats what matters!! I guess the combination of tempature+ bridge+ runflats =slide?

[JKVIPER]

Pete,

Sorry to here about your wreck. Glad your OK and no one was hurt. You have the right attitude, the insurace will take care of it.

Joel

[Bobpantax]

Horrible experience. Glad to read that you are OK. Don't go to the yard to see the car again if you do not have to. It will just make the experience even more sickening. Have someone else take the photos if they have not already been taken. Order your new car. It will ease the pain. On the lighter side, why do you think your Viper was attracted to a Jeep?

[ViperJon]

Very sad day to see Pete's car wrecked. Nobody enjoyed, cared for and respected the car more than Pete did. Everybody walked away, thats the important thing but it still stings pretty bad.

No explanation for how this happened. I (97 GTS) went over the same spot first, two seconds later Gene (97 GTS) goes over the same spot and then Pete hits the same spot and loses traction sideways. Going 50 MPH at best. Just makes no sense.

[Pythonpete]

Originally Posted by ViperJon

Very sad day to see Pete's car wrecked. Nobody enjoyed, cared for and respected the car more than Pete did. Everybody walked away, thats the important thing but it still stings pretty bad.

No explanation for how this happened. I (97 GTS) went over the same spot first, two seconds later Gene (97 GTS) goes over the same spot and then Pete hits the same spot and loses traction sideways. Going 50 MPH at best. Just makes no sense.

The sad (funny thing) is I'm there while the tow truck guy is hooking up my car. Its in pieces. Every panel has tons of cracks. The tow truck guy puts his greasy hands on my car and all I can think of is "get your dirty hands off my car, now I need to clean it up!" The car is destroyed and I'm going to get microfiber towels to wipe my car.

Lucky I stopped my urge

[bluestreak]

Sorry to hear about your car, but glad you're ok.

Do you think if you had TC it would have helped and that this would be a time that you would have used it?

[Pythonpete]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

Sorry to hear about your car, but glad you're ok.

Do you think if you had TC it would have helped and that this would be a time that you would have used it?

Its hard to say, I have TC on other cars but I think it was more cold tires and a wet spot on a bridge than that. I'm not going to get into another TC war.

Sorry to hear it...you've got a great attitude about it. Its a car and you'll get a new one.

[Finally got it !]

As a member of the viper wreck club I can feel your pain. Jump back in the saddle quickly. It will dull the pain considerably!!!

[AFL in NJ]

Dear Pete,

First off, we're all very glad you're okay...sadly stuff happens, no reason, sometimes even the most careful of drivers end up in driving conditions that are unforseeable and don't allow for even the greatest driver being able to wrestle control once that inevitable begins. Thankfully, we have insurance for this purpose and you will be driving a Viper again soon!

Look at the bright side, no one was hurt and you get a find another Viper (maybe an '08 ACR?) to enjoy for years to come!

Regards,
Aaron

[Viper Wizard]

Pete, glad it was just the Viper that got it and not YOU or anyone else! Sorry to be reading this, if there's anything I can do, call me.

[Pythonpete]

Originally Posted by Viper Wizard

Pete, glad it was just the Viper that got it and not YOU or anyone else! Sorry to be reading this, if there's anything I can do, call me.

Thanks Chuck, I may need your help in dealing with the insurance company or fixing it if they won't total it. I hear Rob isn't busy!

[propsail]

Damn, I've had your avitar pic as a wallpaper on my computer for weeks. Beautiful pic, but I'm sure your next ride will be just as nice. .

Most importantly, glad you're ok.

~Craig

[chimazo]

Are you going to post pics of the carnage?

[Pythonpete]

Originally Posted by chimazo

Are you going to post pics of the carnage?

Once I get some more taken and get them downloaded.

[ulllose]

I would have to say in this situation Active handling or some sort of traction control might have help out in this low MPH slide. I know active handling can't take over for the laws of physics but at this relative low speed and gradual turn I think it would have compinsated correctly and steered you back on path. Viper or not Active handling is great for these situation......(this is coming from someone with prior vette experience w/active handling). I would love to have active handling on my viper and i would be the first to sell mine and buy a viper with it. I know everyone won't agree with this but If you have driven a car with A.H. you would think differently. Either way glad your ok and Time to shop for a new one.....