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Minor accident in my Tacoma.

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jw1983, Jan 7, 2014.

  1. Jan 7, 2014 at 5:24 PM
    #1
    jw1983

    jw1983 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2011
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    #63738
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    2,999
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    First Name:
    Jason
    Alberta
    Vehicle:
    13' Tacoma Access 4x4 OR
    I was in a minor accident on Sunday in my truck on a Highway that had a sheet of ice(picture an ice rink where no bumps in the ice just a sheet). There was a bit of an incline and my rear, driver side kicked out. I turned a little the same way the truck end went and spun back toward the passenger side, slid across the fast lane and into a snow bank that was in the center divider of grass of the highway. My traction control didn't kick in because there was no traction(salt, sand, gravel was graded into the snow bank). When the rear swung the other way I steered in an angle into the snow bank with my wheels straight. By the time I went into the snow bank I was doing under 30 km/h an hour(just sunk into the snow). A guy in a truck helped pull me out with the recovery gear he had and what I had. When he was parked ahead(in the fast lane when I was partly on the shoulder and the fast lane) of me a cargo van spun out in the same area(in the slow lane), did a 180 and went backwards into the bank(almost side swiped the guy that helped me). I don't think the guy driving the van was paying attention and was speeding past us even when both trucks had their four ways on and the weather was clear and sunny. The guy that pulled me out, pulled out the van and I went to stop traffic on a highway that was 2 lanes in one direction people doing around or more than the 110 km/h speed limit. Even though when I spun out I was doing 70-75 km/h in the slow lane. In my decade of driving I have never been in an accident(or tickets). I was told that it could have been worse if I was driving faster or went on the passenger side snow banks where there was some with really steep hills. Or went into the snow at a bad angle. The snow that I was in was knee deep and it was -31C outside. So it could have been a lot worse if that guy didn't pull me out of the snow within the few minutes after I went into it. I learned I wasn't as prepared as I should have been, especially for roads that are straight ice(I have winter tires) but I never considered sand bags in the back since were I live we don't get sheets of ice that go on for miles. Two wheel drive wasn't the best idea. I didn't care about damage to my vehicle, I just wanted to get off the highway where that was hardly a shoulder(because of the snow) and both the lanes were ice(dangerous). I only wrecked part of my bumper that we tore off so it was dragging as I drove(could have been damaged when I went in, when I was being pulled out, I'll never know). And had a bent skid plate. Nothing else was damaged and I wasn't injured. No one else was involved or around when it happened. I am glad because before the accident I had a double tanker, carrying fuel semi pass me like I was standing still. I know I was totally at fault but I know it could have been worse and I don't think sand bags would have made a difference. I feel that how I was taught driving did. Minimized my truck damage and no injuries to myself.

    I want to thank the guy(late 20's, early 30's) who pulled me out(with his F250 or 350) and followed me to the gas station that was a few minutes away from where I went into the snow bank. He stayed with me for a bit. He had given me advice on what I should have been wearing and preparing in a colder part of Alberta then what I am use to and where I usually travel. I was an hour and a half from the smallest town and over an hour from the city. He travelled on the road regularly because of working in the Oil Patch and said, "it's a normal thing to see people in the snow bank. The road that I was on that day was considered a good day". He had a recovery strap attached to his bumper. The hitch shackles I bought 2 years ago and never used came in handy. I never got his name but I am glad that I got to say "thank you" so much because without him pulling me out it could have turned into a worse situation.

    I just wanted to share with everyone.

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    Last edited: Jan 7, 2014
  2. Jan 7, 2014 at 5:32 PM
    #2
    Boerseun

    Boerseun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Ferdie
    Sarasota, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra TRD Sport 4x4
    Upgraded 2002 Tacoma to 2018 Tundra
    That sucks, but glad to hear nobody was injured. Good luck in getting the truck fixed.
    I am, glad I live in Florida - ice driving seems to suck. My brother -in-law was in a similar accident last week in Maryland - started to slide on the ice and could not do anything until he hit a tree that stopped him.
     
  3. Jan 7, 2014 at 5:46 PM
    #3
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Steve
    Buffalo NY
    Vehicle:
    2010 RC 2.7 4x4
    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    It's even more fun driving a Bus when you look in the side view mirror and think "look at this A-hole passing me" then realize it's your own rear end passing you. Glad you're ok.
     
  4. Jan 7, 2014 at 5:50 PM
    #4
    jw1983

    jw1983 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Jason
    Alberta
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    13' Tacoma Access 4x4 OR
    I love living in Canada and there is no other place I'd rather be. I know that it's a lesson now that I have learned. I am just glad that I was the only one that had to experience it. Just glad no one else or my life was effected by it in a life changing way. I've driven on ice that had snow, grave, salt, sand, but never just straight ice. Since the weather has been cold as it has been (in the -30C's) for awhile. A lot of vehicles along a lot of the highways had to be left and taped until they could be towed safely and to where it wasn't deadly cold.

    In the end everything can be fixed. For the time that I have been here I have seen a lot of pictures of accidents. Mine is nothing compared to some of the accidents other members have been through. Really though, you'd never want anyone to be in an accident. Since I have a clean driving record(and the extras that I pay for) my insurance company said "my rates won't be effected, the only thing that would go back up is the deductible". So pay the deductible, get a rental, wait for the truck to be fixed and everything will go back to normal.

    I forgot to say to the members of TW. "Happy New Year!!!!"
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2014
  5. Jan 7, 2014 at 5:53 PM
    #5
    sideways19

    sideways19 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Sorry to hear about the accident, glad you're okay. Which highway was this on? Was it somewhere on highway 16 by any chance? 16 was an absolute disaster in many areas over the weekend, probably 50+ collisions on Saturday alone.

    Whenever I'm driving on the highway and it's not snow covered or snowing heavily I'm always in 2wd but often question whether this is the smartest thing to do in case of scenarios like yours where I may encounter a patch of ice. I may start using 4wd more often just as a precautionary measure. For what it's worth, I do keep about 4 sand bags in my bed over winter but not sure how much difference it really makes.
     
  6. Jan 7, 2014 at 6:00 PM
    #6
    jw1983

    jw1983 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2011
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    #63738
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    Jason
    Alberta
    Vehicle:
    13' Tacoma Access 4x4 OR
    The only thing that is hurt personally is my pride and soon enough my wallet. Paying the deductible on my insurance is nothing compared to what it's going to cost to get a new bumper and skid plate(I'll find that out tomorrow), renting a car. My traction control has always kicked in, well, when there is traction. But no aid's on any vehicle are going to save you when it comes to ice. That's what almost made me crap myself is seeing the rear of my truck swing back towards the passenger side, since it's never happened before. The front was going to the snow in the middle, I guess I'm going to the snow in the middle of the grassy divider. It's kicked out a little on the driver side but then straightened out. All I could think of is "don't touch the brakes, steer towards the snow and please don't roll". I remember looking my rear view just before I spun out. I am just glad that steering into the skid is what I was taught and not out of it. I didn't want the truck fishtailing all the way up the road and making a problem worse.

    Anytime that someone was passing me in the fast lane I'd let off the gas and let the truck coast to slow down. I wasn't sure if that vehicle was going spin out or not in the lane next to me. It was all lifted Dodges, Fords, Tundra's and Semi's. I never seen no Tacoma's where I was. Maybe I have to consider getting a bigger truck since I plan on going up north. Just joking you guys! I wouldn't really do that. I love my Tacoma too much to give it up.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2014
  7. Jan 8, 2014 at 10:59 AM
    #7
    jw1983

    jw1983 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2011
    Member:
    #63738
    Messages:
    2,999
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Alberta
    Vehicle:
    13' Tacoma Access 4x4 OR
    I went to the Toyota Collision Centre this morning and got a quote. It's going to be just under $1700 for a bumper, skid plate and some other things that I think are just little pieces. 3 Days of Rental Car and a balance and I'll be good to go. They said that it could be done in 3 days, I was thinking weeks. So a better day that's for sure. The guy that did the estimate said "it's not bad." I feel better none the less.
     

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