Going to work this morning at 2:30AM. Topped a rise and there stood a black cow. Next thing I remember is standing by the car not feeling too good. Two young ladies stopped and helped: Called 911, my wife, and my boss. I had to be Care Flighted to a hospital in Plano, Tx due a pretty nasty head wound. Other cuts and bruises. The cops couldn't figure out how I got out of the car without assistance. Eng still running. The cow apparently landed on the windshield and roof leaving a stream of cow puke, hair, and skin. The sunroof came down over my head and I hit the sunroof frame hard. I'm home now. All the xrays and scans came back negative
IP: Logged
12:54 PM
PFF
System Bot
jaskispyder Member
Posts: 21510 From: Northern MI Registered: Jun 2002
wow... good to hear you are ok. I would say that this can be fixed... if you wanted to. Just need a new roof piece.... sunroof forward, basically.. maybe a little more.
IP: Logged
01:02 PM
rpro Member
Posts: 2920 From: Rockledge, FL Registered: Jun 2006
I doubt that I'll try to fix it. Too much trouble to realign the A pillars and the window frames. The rear of the roof appears to have a little twist in it. IT was a LARGE Angus cow. Can't get the hood open yet to check it out. Probably going to part it out if any one is interested. It's been a great car for the last 6 years since I fixed it up and got it running.
IP: Logged
01:09 PM
Halcyon25 Member
Posts: 191 From: Rio Rancho, NM, USA Registered: Jan 2011
First, Glad you are ok! That looks nasty! I find it quite amazing that someone was around to help at 2:30 AM!
Looks like you can see where you hit the cow's leg. Did that kill the cow? I would hope so otherwise that would have been quite the rampaging beast. The lack of front end damage to your car is amazing. Other than no headlight the hood is still ok. How fast were you going?
On a lighter note, did anyone else get an add at the top of this thread for "NY sperm donors wanted", on a thread titled "Owner is quite sore!"?
EDIT: How is your rear view mirror STILL attached to that windshield?
[This message has been edited by 86fierofun (edited 02-07-2012).]
IP: Logged
01:14 PM
Pete Matos Member
Posts: 2291 From: Port St. Lucie, Florida Registered: Jan 2010
Holy Smokes.... Now that is a scary accident. Who the hell would guess you would wake up this morning and have a freakin' cow landing on your head while driving to work. Very glad to hear you are alright. I am sure you can get another fiero like that if you wish they are around that is for sure. Good luck and hopefully the Insurance Co. Will take car of you.... It could have been MUCH worse. Peace
Pete
IP: Logged
01:14 PM
blakeinspace Member
Posts: 5923 From: Fort Worth, Texas Registered: Dec 2001
Dave!... I am so sorry to read and see this! I am glad you are ok (as far as you know), I hope that it stays that way. You are going to be hella sore tomorrow.
Man, this could have been a lot worse... like neck breaking, spinal injury worse.
Can the owner of the cow be considered negligent for having the beast out at night?... might that person/ranch not be responsible for your medical expenses and replacement car?
I hate to admit it... but with no roof panel/windshield... the car is still sexy... and I am thinking it would be fun to go-kart/dune buggy now!
------------------ <---- did you buy Cliff a beer? ......................................................www.northtexasfieroclub.org
Good to hear you're okay. That's significant crush damage, but shows the strength of the B pillar assembly to stay intact like it did.
There's potential for a roadster project there. Reinforce the bottom side of the car, cut the roof and windshield out, replace the windshield frame with a good unit from a salvage yard. Instant roadster.
IP: Logged
01:47 PM
jaskispyder Member
Posts: 21510 From: Northern MI Registered: Jun 2002
Dave!... I am so sorry to read and see this! I am glad you are ok (as far as you know), I hope that it stays that way. You are going to be hella sore tomorrow.
Man, this could have been a lot worse... like neck breaking, spinal injury worse.
Can the owner of the cow be considered negligent for having the beast out at night?... might that person/ranch not be responsible for your medical expenses and replacement car?
I hate to admit it... but with no roof panel/windshield... the car is still sexy... and I am thinking it would be fun to go-kart/dune buggy now!
I can't remember, but back in the day one of my father's cows got out and was hit. I don't think his insurance paid for anything, but that was some time ago.
IP: Logged
01:48 PM
NEVERDONE Member
Posts: 1088 From: ft worth, tx Registered: Sep 2011
HOLY COW BATMAN! Sorry, I had to! So glad that you are ok man! It is very suprising you were able to go home after that and walk! You can always build another car but you only get one neck and head! Take care and rest! Youre gonna need it tomorrow!
I'm also a little confused on how you got out of there. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you did. It's simply amazing that you weren't severely injured. I'm glad to read that you are ok.
IP: Logged
01:51 PM
Tom Slick Member
Posts: 4342 From: Alvarado, TX Registered: May 2003
Now on the other hand... MAN that looks like a cool mod (if you don't need a windshield.) I like how the car looks without a windshield and just the back clip on there. Dunebuggy?
IP: Logged
02:13 PM
Tony Kania Member
Posts: 20794 From: The Inland Northwest Registered: Dec 2008
That is one of the more lucky accidents to make it through. It looks like a game changer. My father was in the body shop business for nearly 40 years, and I have seen many vehicles wrecked by animals. Never have I seen destruction like that. You are one lucky individual. Go buy a lottery ticket. Seriously.
Tony
IP: Logged
02:38 PM
2farnorth Member
Posts: 3402 From: Leonard, Tx. USA Registered: Feb 2001
Thanks for all the response and well wishes. I sure do appreciate them.
quote
Originally posted by 86fierofun:
First, Glad you are ok! That looks nasty! I find it quite amazing that someone was around to help at 2:30 AM!
Looks like you can see where you hit the cow's leg. Did that kill the cow? The lack of front end damage to your car is amazing. How fast were you going??
EDIT: How is your rear view mirror STILL attached to that windshield?
Thanks. There is occasional traffic on that road all night. BUT I really think they were a pair of angels that stopped by.
The cow's leg appears to have hit dead center of the front plate. As far as I know right now they hadn't yet found the cow when the chopper lifted off. I do remember leaning on the rear of the car while semi conscious and seeing an animal slowly walking back the way I came. There were chunks of hide/hair all over and in the car (inside and out) when I got it back here this afternoon. Some one that stopped said there was a large chunk of hide in the road a ways back. Never found most of the parts of the left headlight. I'm afraid they might be imbedded in the cow. (On minor piece is imbedded in the windshield) I was doing about 60 mph.
quote
blakeinspace Man, this could have been a lot worse... like neck breaking, spinal injury worse
Yeah. They immobilized me immediately, called in Care Flight for that reason plus they were worried about brain swelling. If that had been a solid roof over me I might not be talking about it right now. That plastic roof wouldn't broken out making some room for my head like the glass did.
The sheriffs office is trying to find the cow and identify the owner. They suspect it is an "out-of-towner that owns the adjacent lands and cattle. They have had problems with loose animals in that area before. That fact may lead to recovery of some of the money involved. The chopper ride is somewhere between $8-10k, plus my car, towing expense and deductables. No collision on the car but I had limited medical coverage.
quote
deloreanant
I'm also a little confused on how you got out of there.
That's a question that we will probably never know the answer too. I don't remember. The drivers door is sprung so it was hard to open and close. I would have had to really pushed hard to get it open. With the roof down so low it would have been hard to get any kind of strength in the push it. When the girls got there I was already out of the car. The trans was in park and the engine running. When they saw the blood running down my face and my hand bleeding one immediately called 911 and the other got me to sit down on the ground. Of course I immediately had to start "chucking" breakfast
IP: Logged
02:49 PM
jaskispyder Member
Posts: 21510 From: Northern MI Registered: Jun 2002
I'll never drink another glass of milk; hamburgers I'll chew up and then spit out in disgust.....patooie and listen for that satisfying "splat" as another dead cow hits the floor!
[This message has been edited by Vernon8360 (edited 02-07-2012).]
IP: Logged
02:57 PM
2farnorth Member
Posts: 3402 From: Leonard, Tx. USA Registered: Feb 2001
Haven't found it yet. I'm not in good enough shape yet to go tracking it. LOL
quote
02-07-2012 02:57 PM Vernon8360
I'll never drink another glass of milk; hamburgers I'll chew up and then spit out in disgust.....patooie and listen for that satisfying "splat" as another dead cow hits the floor!
lol Still need milk on the cereal, hamburger in the pan, (can't afford steak) and leather for my belt.
[This message has been edited by 2farnorth (edited 02-07-2012).]
IP: Logged
03:13 PM
ARKaiser Member
Posts: 1305 From: lansing,michigan,usa Registered: Feb 2003
Wow, in this case I think the sunroof saved you. The largest thing I have hit was a quail, and it made a pretty loud bang. I can't even imagine hitting a cow. Glad you are ok.
IP: Logged
03:58 PM
PFF
System Bot
2farnorth Member
Posts: 3402 From: Leonard, Tx. USA Registered: Feb 2001
Actually it was an eye closer. Glasses smashed into my face and glass raining on 3 sides. Windshield, sunroof, and driver's door window all smashed inward.
Now that has possibilities. Wonder if I could get it inspected????
That is one of the more lucky accidents to make it through. It looks like a game changer. My father was in the body shop business for nearly 40 years, and I have seen many vehicles wrecked by animals. Never have I seen destruction like that. You are one lucky individual. Go buy a lottery ticket. Seriously.
Tony
Holy Cow....but seriously, cars can be replaced, so I'm in total agreement with you and was thinking the same thing - He should buy a lottery ticket and give God thanks!
[This message has been edited by I FAR I (edited 02-07-2012).]
IP: Logged
06:26 PM
nitroheadz28 Member
Posts: 4774 From: Brooklyn, NY Registered: Mar 2010
Glad to see that you are relatively ok, very lucky to walk away from this as I'm sure you know. Good luck with insurance/ medical, hopefully no lasting ill effects.
IP: Logged
06:36 PM
SCCAFiero Member
Posts: 1144 From: Boca Raton, Fl USA Registered: Apr 2006
Wow! Doesn't look THAT bad to fix if you're good with a hammer and a welder, but hard to say without taking the panels off. I'd be having a big ol' steak tonight, after I kicked that farmer's ass.
Found this posted on the Texas CHL forum. Liked to laughed my ----- off. But it (face) hurts to much.
Found on the TexasCowForum:
Guys you would not guess what happened to me last night. I was coming back from visiting some friends when all of a sudden I see two bright lights coming straight at me. Before I knew what happened, I was flying up in the air and landed on this little car. I was hurt and missing a piece of skin. Went to see if the guy would help me get back to the barn, but when I checked he was sleeping on the side of the road. How inconsiderate of him. After beating me up, the least he could do was give me ride back to the barn. But no, he just pretended to be sleeping, so I had to walk all the way to the barn by myself. I later saw him flying off in a helicopter. He must be a rich important man.
Man I’m going to be sore for days. Those maniacs think they own the roads.
Be careful out there.
Elsie
IP: Logged
08:13 PM
sspeedstreet Member
Posts: 2306 From: Santa Maria, CA Registered: Dec 2002
My college room-mate hit a horse with his '62 Fairlane. This was in 1966, so his insurance fixed the car with damage a lot like yours. The dashes in those cars were metal. The one thing he didn't have fixed was the horse-shoe print in the top of the dash.
Glad your OK. You're lucky the Fiero nose is so low you impacted his legs and not his body.