Tedonlin150

I had a 2002 half ton (third gen) that I had a 55+mph head on collision to the side of a Chevy with. The air bags deployed and I walked away completely fine fine physically. The whole engine compartment was crumpled but the cab was not touched. I was very surprised at how well it held up. My dad even sent pictures of it to Chrysler and they used the pictures in a conference they were having about safety.
Maybe its a good thing though that your air bags did not go off. I cannot really tell from the pictures but did the steering wheel get pushed towards you? If it did then an airbag deploy could have done worse damage, but I don't know for sure maybe I'm just full of it.

cincydiesel

I'm speechless in regards to the pictures and I have no opinion to give in regards to your question.. Just glad to see you still able to read and post after that mess.. Here's to a speedy recovery!

RobG

Wow!

I would definitely notify Dodge about the airbags not deploying. That's my only concern. But the truck held up so well that I would not hesitate to get another. This time, I'd go for one of the new 4th gens.

Rob

15 Digger

The truck you hit is high. Maybe airbag sensors behind bumper did not get enough impact but rest of truck absorbed it well. If you were not seriously hurt with that damage at that speed I would get another dodge. Also, a wider V8 diesel like the other trucks have might have intruded more of the firewall causing you legs to be pinned worse.

Colo_River_Ram

Glad your alive to tell the story..

Digger brings up a good point it looks like the bumper on the semi trailer was high.. did the state patrol measure the height as there is a max bumper height for all vehicles..

It looks like the PJ trailer held up well, what type of hookup did you have on the truck and how did it hold up?

This is a 2008 I think it has a flight recorder, was the information pulled off of it?

I think I would go with another Dodge..

palomino

wow, that is a nasty wreck, and glad to hear that your still kickin!
Ok, here is a question, were your brakes locked up when you hit? Just wondering if the ABS computer needs to see wheel speed to engauge the SIR in the event of a frontal crash?
I own 2 dodge 2500 trucks, and LOVE them!
I would suggest you get something that you feel comfortable with, and get an attorney to look into the reason why the SIR didn't deploy.

CamperAndy

I think this is the answer also . High impact may have missed the impact sensors.

RAMRODD

To me it looks like your front bumper missed and the direct impact was on top of it. maybe that is why the air bags didn't go off.

Really I am impressed how the truck took the impact with a loaded trailer behind it and overall the passenger department is in good shape

j

Having investigated lots of accidents, you're lucky to be alive or at the very least, not more banged up than you were. From the looks of it, the collision did not hit the airbag sensors in the bumper. If i recall correctly, the sensors are a little lower in the bumper. The state police should be doing a reconstruction depending on their rules (we only do it in severe or fatal collisions), but if they do, they will inspect the truck completely and should be able to tell you if the sensors were hit. Most manufacturers place them lower because you're more ikely to hit something smaller than you (ie: a passenger car) and it's cheaper to install them in the "most likely" location. Glad you're ok though, thats the important thing.

Pooter

Glad you made it out pretty well, but ill say this, those airbags should have deployed IMO.
My wife used to work for a company that handled lemon law buy backs for many manufacturers, and one older case involved a '04 or '05 Dodge ram(1500 I believe) that had t-boned a car of drunks that pulled out in front of him while he was traveling at 60mph. The wreck was so bad that none of the 4 people in the car that pulled out survived, and the airbags in his truck did not go off. They tried to give him some BS about how the cars weight wasnt enough to trigger the airbags in the Ram, it didnt slow the truck down quick enough to trigger them. Im not sure how badly injured the driver of the Ram was, but clearly a wreck where air bags should have deployed and didnt.
Id definitely consult an attorney.

RickG

Airbag nondeployment is a real concern for emergency responders . Responders have been seriously injured by delayed deployment when trying to remove victims . I have heard of at least one death but haven't been able to substantiate that . IMO sensors should be placed higher than the bumper . There are many crashes where the bumper goes under the object involved .
I had a deer hit the right front of my '94 Thunderbird causing over $3,000 damage . The airbag sensors were behind the grill and the impact sheared the right sensor off . The airbags didn't deploy and the insurance adjuster tried to deny payment for replacement of the sensor saying the airbag would have deployed if the sonsor was damaged .
Here's an interesting article on airbags
http://abrn.search-autoparts.com/abr.../detail/584835

Totallyrad

First, glad you were able to escape and move away on your own. When the steering wheel folds down like that it can make it difficult. Like others have said, based only on the photos, I feel like the air bags would have not deployed as well. The bumper still looks nearly as it should before the accident and was moved forward at the bottom, not compressed from the impact. The impact was above the sensors except where you struck the DOT bumper on the semi. Recording the deployment of the air bags is pretty standard information gathering these days. Most fire/rescue and police reports have check offs for that info. As the the brakes, I do not have anything to share that would be factual and helpful other than if the computer did record any info, the download should clear up whether they functioned. No bash or argument intended by this statement but sometimes, in an accident, folks get so much info and sensations thrown at them at the time of the accident that they misinterpret or confuse what they remember. Again, not disputing what you're saying, just passing info. All in all, I'd say you were lucky and blessed. I wouldn't have a problem getting back into another truck like that.

Now a question. Did you receive the impact to the rear of your rig after you exited? It appears so. I really couldn't identify the buckle in the roof in the first couple pictures.

TonyUFN

A year has passed. I hit the anniversary date with a few shots of bourbon.
But as far as an update goes... I've nearly fully recovered. But still in a crappy position after the insurance company and medical bills took hold.

I've started a little project to hopefully replace the truck. I dunno, maybe it'll work... I've seen crazier things work out on the internet.

www.trailerdoodle.com

Joezilla

The annoying dinger CAN be turned off. I just turned mine off yesterday. It sure is nice to not have that danged noise maker going off!!

Glad you came through the wreck okay. Stuff can be replaced.

Joe

ddbackhoe

Bourbon can be a big helper (unless it's Jack) Did you ended up being underinsured or are things still being worked out in the court system? Probably a huge fear for most of us.