Wow... Steven!!!!! So glad to hear you're ok. You really did have someone
looking out for you. One word of advice though, even though they checked
you out of the hospital as "ok", don't let the insurance company close this
case too early. Even though my accident back in July of '98 was no where
near as serious as yours, I still suffer with back problems and go to physio
on and off. Unfortunately, I ended up with some damage to my discs and will
probably battle the pain from now on. But the funny thing is, is that the
back pain didn't make itself completely evident until months after the
accident when the physiotherapists and doctor investigated further as to why
it wasn't getting any better.
Of course the insurance company doesn't believe that my problems came from
accident and so the battle continues and they will not get my signature to
close the case. I haven't been able to work since the accident which is why
I'll be starting my own business from home where I can control how much I
work per day.
Also, make sure that you don't go back to work too soon. Take the time you
need to heal completely as this also went against me. I believed that I was
ready to go back to work a little too soon and when I went in to a meeting
with HR and my doctor's recommendations on gradual work increases only to
find out that they had found some way to eliminate my position with legal
loopholes and laid me off of work. But they did make some serious booboos
by advertising my job on the internet while I was still on Long Term
Disability and prior to letting me go. Big mistake! I got myself a high
priced labor lawyer and away we went. We settled out of court financially
and I got an amazing letter of recommendation and reference on top of it,
that it makes you wonder why they wouldn't want me to work there :-) But of
course, I am legally bound not to mention the company name.
The point I'm trying to make is to watch out for yourself. It's said to say
but true... if the insurance and corporations can find a way to put the
screws to you... they will. Again, thank God you're ok and take care.
TTYL,
Norah
current: '98 Dakota Sport black 4x4 CC V8/5.2L/Auto
current: '95 Dakota Sport white 4x4 Reg Cab V6/3.9L/5spd
RIP: '95 Dakota Sport black 4x2 CC V6/3.9L/Auto
previous: '93 Dakota blue 4x2 CC V6/3.9L/Auto
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@buffnet.net]On Behalf Of Steven St.Laurent
> Sent: Friday, January 12, 2001 2:35 AM
> To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
> Subject: DML: Is there a GOD?
>
>
> Well this morning I stopped at the light on Bobier and East Vista Way, in
> Vista California. While waiting at the light to make a left
> turn, I happen
> to just look down doing something, for which I cannot remember, then
> BAMMMMM. It sounded like a loud bang when I wake up from either
> being dazed
> or passed out.
>
> What happened after still being in the car facing in the right lane
> on-coming traffic, someone apparently either lost control going threw an
> intersection or hydro-plane doing 50 mph or greater. While at a
> still stand
> still, the truck flew backwards over 100 feet down the road.
>
> At the time as I looked around after regaining my composure, no
> glasses on,
> could not even find them, I was looking around to see if the
> truck had cabin
> damage meaning FIRE. The Club cab was filled with smoke and I didn't know
> for sure what was happening. Yet, here in California, like road kill, no
> seemed to stop to help or ask any question (this is more apparent
> than ever
> over the last few years) while I was in their slow lane facing
> them. This is
> a sad note for those individual found that rushing to work was more
> important than a person life.
>
> However, I looked around the cabin, found my glasses lying in the
> passenger
> area, along with my cell phone, I looked at the car (A Rodeo)
> down the road
> still in my lane sitting there. I was wondering if he or she was still
> alive so I managed to open the door and stumble out of the vehicle. This
> took me more than five minutes since everything seemed to hurt.
>
> As I walked to the curb, the other driver finally managed to get
> out of the
> car and the front of the Rodeo was gone completely. The Dakota 4.7 front
> was smashed but the crumple zone looked great as it just wrinkle back
> compared to the Rodeo. He finally walked over and asked with an Spanish
> accent if everything was Ok. I looked at him and found no
> injuries meaning
> blood, broken bones etc after seeing his truck. Did I screamed or yelled,
> even call him names? No. I just felt sorry for him and hope he wasn't
> injured either. I asked him what happen and with the few words I could
> gather that he must of hydro-plane and did not see me there. Didn't even
> brake before impact the front of the truck.
>
> Then I looked and inspected the Dodge and found that the cabin,
> driver door,
> where completely intact. The front was smashed beyond the radiator area
> that the hood did buckle enough that you could see inside the
> engine area. I
> managed to call the 911 and the Sheriff showed up after five minutes. The
> sheriff ask me what happen but I could not tell him since I did not know.
> He asked me if the truck could move on it own power enough to move reverse
> to the curb since traffic was building up for morning rush hour.
>
> So I limped to the truck and got in and looked at the dash board
> and saw the
> transmission was on the Reverse mark. I look again , then again,
> it was in
> REVERSE. Hmm. That strange, I thought, but get this? It started up with
> the radiator fan cladding and it was still working. Just amazing. Just
> amazing...
>
> The Dodge Dakota suffered a 50 mph plus STAND STILL FRONTAL
> IMPACT and still
> operational. The driver airbag did deployed and the left side of my face
> felt painful. My right knee swelled up on the inside portion like a
> baseball since I had short on. I know! It is California in me wearing
> shorts. Inside the middle console, everything was smashed (CDs, plastic
> things). That was odd also since the dash board looked normal.
>
> Anyway, my wife took me to the hospital and they did a MRI CAT
> scan, X-ray,
> and did some checking around the body. My left arm felt funny
> also. I was
> then released four hours later and was told I was very lucky to be alive.
>
> Anyway, seeing the transmission marker in reverse, at just the time before
> impact looked down at something on the floor, I felt as if
> someone seemed to
> be helping me before the impact. Applying the law of physics, the
> transmission being in reverse must of helped the frontal impact absorbing
> the on-coming vehicle.
>
> I am glad to be alive but the Dak? I will not know until Monday
> to find out
> what will happen. The other guy? Expired insurance since last November
> 1999. Am I mad? No..I still believe there is angel watching
> over me and a
> God who loves me enough (tears) to save me from this car wreck.
>
> I have already preparing to purchased another Dakota with a 4.7, 5-speed,
> and the full treatment, to include the 17x9 rims from the factory. I have
> already sent an e-mail requesting a quote from my five-star
> dealer who takes
> time to have a real relationship with there customers (Jack Powell
> Chrysler). After seeing Ron's quad cab, well, this is my next choice.
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> Steven St.Laurent
> 2000 Dakota 4.7 Hemi (WRECKED)
> 1999 Chevy (gone in 2003)
> 1993 Tracker (still going...going)
> 2000 Roush Mustang Stage II (sold) TT
> ----------->:)
> Aspiring for the next toys:
> 2003 Dakota Hemi R/T
> 2003 GTS-R Viper
>
>
>
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