Mixed Feelings... (after accident)
 

First off let me explain a bit. I own a small auto transport company which I use my 2008 5500 C/C to pull wedge, lowboy and enclosed trailers. I am fully compliant and legal in regards to operation, therefore am inspected and maintained regularly.

I was recently involved in a multi-vehicle accident in Pennsylvania on I-76 Eastbound (17 milepost), on 02/17/2010 @ approx 11:15ph EST. I was the 3rd or 4th truck to become involved. My load consisted of a 1997 MB sedan and a 2006 Ford commercial van(DHL Van), so I was hauling my lowboy trailer. The combination is configured for 5th wheel rated at 30k+ lbs at the hitch, and I'm legal at the 40,500GVW the combination tags at(plated for 45k). The gross weight of the trailer with its load was right about 11,400#.

2 trucks had jackknifed around a blind curve, and the truck I was behind saw it late, locked them up and continued to slide on the black ice into the mess. My avoidance put me into the passing lane to avoid immediately hitting him. Upon entering the passing lane with brakes applied, the jack-knifed trucks were then visible to me. Stopping was not happening since the truck was already on the ice and anti-lock did not function at all putting the truck into a full slide at approximately 50 mph(65mph speed limit, conditions suggested 55ish as the road "appeared dry") into the back of a fully loaded semi-trailer. Even the state troopers slid on the ice upon leaving their squad cars, ending on their backside commenting that they did not think the road was even wet?!?!

The anti-lock brakes never pulsated, and the airbags did NOT deploy. Disappointing at the least. I did walk(ie, hobble) away from the incident. But in all opinions should not have survived(per emergency crews and state police comments).

Here is my quandary... which may give you some thinking material as well.

The truck cab was crumpled, but still offered protection. My trailer (configured as such) was stopped by the truck frame, so it did not enter the occupant space. Other than some pinning by the dash which prevented the engine from coming into the compartment, I was able to exit quickly. Another semi truck hit me at about 40mph since he had more reaction time on better pavement farther up the road at the beginning of the curve.

I broke the drivers window to escape the truck fearing the result of a truck hitting my trailer. Was able to pull my legs from under the dash and climbed out the window and over the center highway divider.

I was able to take pictures at the scene, as well as requested pictures from one of the responding fire departments. the fire department was fixated on my truck specifically and the airbag non-deployment. this was noted by them and the state police in their reports.

Injuries were limited to myself, being a few broken bones and needing facial surgery(32 stitches to reattach my lower lip to my jaw - hit the steering wheel). The next lesser was the truck I hit, the driver needed stitches in his hand from a glass cut leaving the cab of his truck and not from the accident(9 stitches). 1 car driver had a cut on his head that stitches (2 stitches).

I am proud of the truck for protecting me due to its sturdiness of the frame and cab compartment. but I also fear the failed airbag deployment as well as lack of anti-lock even attempting to help.

Would you consider replacing the truck with the same? i have been questioning this since I arrived back home alive. (after many prayers and thanks)

There are 2 picture sections, mine and of the fire department to show a majority of the scene. No registration required to view.

My camera phone pictures...
Auto Transporter Community - Auto Expeditor Photo Gallery - Tony's Wreck

Fire Department pictures...
Auto Transporter Community - Auto Expeditor Photo Gallery - Tony's Wreck #2

Please do not comment in regards to "too fast for conditions", "shouldnt have been following so close", etc. It was already determined that the incident was ice related and there was no fault of myself, or the drivers behind or beside me. This is more of an information gathering quest, as well as to provide information into the sturdiness of the 4500/5500 chassis, for which I am still proud to have owned since it DID save my life.

http://www.autoexpeditor.com/cumminsforum/IMG00016.jpghttp://www.autoexpeditor.com/cumminsforum/IMG00024.jpg

http://www.autoexpeditor.com/cumminsforum/IMG00026.jpghttp://www.autoexpeditor.com/cumminsforum/IMG00031.jpg

The day started like this...
http://www.autoexpeditor.com/cumminsforum/IMG00009.jpg

I would definitely get something you feel comfortable and safe driving.

Boy o boy!
 

Based on your account and the photos, the airbags should have deployed. Dodge and the NHTSB should be informed of this accident. It's amazing you walked away from this. I don't know if the abs would have helped on ice but the airbags would have helped. People fear the "black box" recording devices going into some vehicles,but I'm all for them. Good luck.

You are very lucky to have survived that mess. I think that shows very good engineering on Dodge's part, having a passenger area that stood up that well. Dodges sure aren't perfect, but I really don't think there's any vehicle that's a whole lot better.

I am very curious as to what prevented the airbags from deploying. All the essential circuitry is monitored constantly for malfunction and nothing is left to chance. As far as the ABS goes, I never put a whole lot of confidence in the ability of an ABS system to improve a bad situation, especially with a very heavy trailer pushing it around. It may have been operating but couldn't overcome the momentum of the trailer.

I'm not a ABS or air bag fan. The truck held up real well and the fact you basically walked away from that mess is incredible! I'd buy another dodge!

I guess im kind of impressed on how well the Dodge took that impact.. Any less of a vehicle the story would have took a different turn.. Glad you are OK though!

I personally would jump right back into a Dodge. But you need to decide whats right for you. Good Luck!

Since you said you hooked your lip on the steering wheel, I have to ask...

Did you have your seat belt on???? Because if you didn't, I don't think the air bags will deploy because they will break your neck.

Absolutely, I never move without the belt fastened. I have the cuts and broken collarbone to prove it. ;)

Boy, Glad your OK. I would buy another Dodge. I had a similar wreck in 88 with a 1 ton duelly Chevy 4x4. A trucker pulled out in front of me and I stuck the truck into the tandams just behind the cab and wedged under the trailer. They had to cut me out of the truck. I was hauling a load of bulls in the stock trailer behind me.

Is this accurate??
Inquiring minds want to know!

RJ

Sorry, thought you were asking if I had it on(I answered 2 posts up)... I edited my response, but...

lol, If you thought the dinger was annoying sitting in your driveway, imagine how bad it would have been driving 500 miles with it dinging the whole way :)

As far as "if" it will operate, I would have no clue. But I'm not personally going to call Dodge to ask.

Glad you're ok. I've seen white sheets out for wrecks that were not that bad.

I've looked and bought a few wrecks and seen some where I can't believe the air bag didn't deploy and some where I question why it did deploy. It does appear more often than not the deployment centers around the frame. I am thinking that above the frame you crumple and decelerate more slowly than an end of frame crash. Air bags work on rate of deceleration, and as bad as the crash was, because it crumpled sheet metal the deceleration might just not have been fast enough for it to trigger the bags!! The decel must also be in line, hence in roll overs many times the bags don't deploy either. Of course then there is the they just didn't go off as there is a failure rate associated with them however small it may be.

I am very sorry you had an accident like that. many fear accidents for that very reason (brakes won't be enough and airbag won't go off). I also see the mixed feeling about airbags; some think they are good, some think they can cause more damage than w/o (many of whom wouldn't know, just speculation from incidents using airbags, many wouldn't know the differences because many won't have accidents again that could/ would be comparable to the last)

I am agreeing though, that considering you are alive and not in a critical state, and judging from the conditions of impact, the Dodge did very well. I know of some instances before when fellow hay haulers would end up with hitches in the truck from the frame supports giving. Now that dodge has been using hydroformed rails for quite some time, that issue has seemed to have gone away.

I would definitely get all the info you can, possibly hire a lawyer to review the details, and then speak with Dodge, your ins, and the DPS.


Hope you are recuperating well, take it easy.

I had the airbag in my Toyota go off (not a pleasant experience) in a very minor fender bender... so I have to wonder why that didn't go off either. On the ABS, I have had that "no work so great" on a number of different makes of vehicles... not just a Dodge thing for sure.

I am glad you will be ok... I agree with the statements that you have to drive what you will feel comfortable in. And vice versa. It does appear the vehicle more than did its job-- structurally speaking-- this time. That should give wieght to your ultimate decision.