Damage Report

[pcrdude]

Hi everyone,

My 2012 2SS LS3 only has 25,000 miles on it because it is my "play" car and usually gets driven hard. But, last Friday was beautiful here so I drove it to work (NOT driven hard). On the way home I was in the slow lane (#4), and a semi with "spike lugs" on his front wheels was to my left in lane #3. I was doing about 67 mph. I just get past him, and look in the rear-view and all I could see was that trucks grill!!!

Well, he proceeded to hit me which threw my legs up off the pedals, then hit me again even harder. I started to pull over, but he didn't. So, I chased him down and called the cops.

He said he never saw me, and told the cop he didn't pull over since he thought the impacts were "A bump in the road".

Total damage?

Bumper cover and energy absorbing material with no metal damage, and nothing else requiring repair.

I was lucky, but the rear bumper did a really good job at sacrificing itself as designed.

I get the car back on Monday.

You just can't keep anything nice can you?

[redcoats1976]

any time you can play tag with a semi and only need a bumper cover you are a winner...

[Foxfire15]

FWIW If you cut it close enough, I could believe that he couldn't see you. Saw a video a few weeks back of a car pulling in front of a semi, and it completely disappears for a few seconds.

Regardless, sucks he didn't stop. I don't see how he couldn't have noticed hitting you. Glad the damage was minimal.

[go_go_gadget88]

Originally Posted by redcoats1976

any time you can play tag with a semi and only need a bumper cover you are a winner...

This. 100%.

Having a semi hit you at any kind of speed could have been a totaled car (or worse) easily!

I know the feels man. When I got my silverado, I made the first payment, and then some girl pulled out infront of me and I t-boned her the next morning. They fixed it fine, but I'll still always know what happened. This is why my camaro sits in the garage most of the time. Can't control other people on the road.

Glad you are ok and are getting the car back soon.

[ron123]

Man that was your lucky day. No sheet metal or sub-frame damage after an encounter with a truck is amazing.
Why did the truck suddenly move in to your rightmost slow lane after you went by him? Was he going down hill and he picked up speed catching back up to you? Seems odd he did not just stay in the lane he was in. Maybe he was on the cell phone.

[HyperV117]

A few months back a semi pulled a car up the cajon pass on the I15 here in Cali. Driver never saw him and figured the extra load was "Normal"

[pcrdude]

Originally Posted by ron123

Man that was your lucky day. No sheet metal or sub-frame damage after an encounter with a truck is amazing.
Why did the truck suddenly move in to your rightmost slow lane after you went by him? Was he going down hill and he picked up speed catching back up to you? Seems odd he did not just stay in the lane he was in. Maybe he was on the cell phone.

I believe he wasn't paying attention, and didn't see me in his right-hand corner front blind spot when he changed lanes. Then accelerated into me.

The impact force was pretty strong, and I applaud Chevy for the design of the bumper. And the semi for having a bumper that aligned with a "car bumper".

I was EXTREMELY fortunate. And no, I didn't cut him off, or brake check him. I don't drive like that. He just simply wasn't situationally aware enough to decide to change lanes.

[redcoats1976]

i used to drive a semi for about 10 years.if you saw how small a car is from the drivers seat and how many places around a truck it can disappear you would become paranoid.

[1Coopgt]

This is why I give Semi's a wide berth. I pass them and make sure I can see the semi drivers eyes in my mirror then I feel safe.

[DvKillar]

Originally Posted by 1Coopgt

This is why I give Semi's a wide berth. I pass them and make sure I can see the semi drivers eyes in my mirror then I feel safe.

yup! gotta see those eyes before pass or let them pass.

[pcrdude]

Believe it or not, I was trying to get away from his blind spots. As a motorcycle rider, a mistake by a semi like this one would be lethal.

In this case, I just didn't get far enough ahead before he decided to change lanes. Again as a motorcyclist, I have to have situational awareness by remembering that car approaching in the rearview (during which he should have seen me), and remembering I was there before changing lanes.

Having written that, everyone makes mistakes (including me).

[kmarshall2121]

Just glad you're able to write about it... post pics on the finished repairs. I lived in St Louis for a bit. Drove from Hazelwood to Mid City at Grand & Olive for a few years. That damn highway (270 I think) is a bitch at times...

[1Coopgt]

Originally Posted by pcrdude

Believe it or not, I was trying to get away from his blind spots. As a motorcycle rider, a mistake by a semi like this one would be lethal.

In this case, I just didn't get far enough ahead before he decided to change lanes. Again as a motorcyclist, I have to have situational awareness by remembering that car approaching in the rearview (during which he should have seen me), and remembering I was there before changing lanes.

Having written that, everyone makes mistakes (including me).

I ride motorcycles too. That's why I said what I did. But to add to it I don't take my time when passing . I want to put as much distance as I can as quickly as I can away from the semi.

[christianchevell]

I always drive more defensively around big rigs and am aware of their blind spots, you should thank your lucky stars your alive, and this from a guys with a Class A license..

When it comes to driving around a semi I stay clear back where I can see the driver in the mirror then quickly accelerate past them to clear road not pausing by them at all no matter what jerk tailgater might be around. You drove a little too slow in the slow lane he did not see you pass on the right and wanted to move over to the slow lane, so you also were partially at fault for passing on the right..... and apparently did not move out swiftly after passing. BTW I also always pull up behind anything at any light with enough room to be able to turn and get around any car in front of me.....Old motorists can be wiser and safer and also not stuck behind a car dead at a intersection boxed in and pissed off....LOL And anyone on my arse needs more lead in their diet......severe lead deficiency......There is no excuse for tailgating....EVER unless its just to save your life for a second.