04 Saturn Vue Rollover crash w/ pictures

[jenileigh]

I was involved in a crash on 6/11 with my 2004 Saturn Vue. The car in front of me was slowing down to stop and I was slowing down to stop. The car behind me slammed right into me backending me at approx 50 to 55 mph. I must have clipped the back corner on the passenger side of the car in front of me and I was then sent flipping, rolling three times. A car going in the opposite direction also hit me at one point. I came to rest upright. Of course I only remember slowing down and feeling the impact of the car hitting me from behind. I was wearing a seat belt and my air bags did deploy. All my windows were blown out (except for the sunroof), every exterior panel of the car is damaged, my door was bent inwards, but I survived with only black & blue marks on my left side and stiff, sore muscles.

I didn't like my Saturn's quirks - like the rumble strip noise - but I think my Saturn vue might have saved my life. I just wanted to share my photos to show how my vue faired in a rollover crash.

[fdryer]

Glad you came out only with bumps and bruises.

And FYI, the seat belt, airbag combination, side impact door beams, and roof roll cage construction did protect you from eminent death. When you chose to wear your seat belt you took a proactive role in survival from most crashes that would have ended terribly if you chose not to wear lap/shoulder belts. Not every outcome ends so well.

The slow motion replay of crash test dummies being restrained with lap/shoulder belts and supplemented with air bag deployment tends to restrain a body from being launched through the front windshield in frontal crashes or through the driver's side window with extreme physical damage of possible torn limbs when not choosing belt restraints. There are always exceptions as not every crash scenario is planned for.

Its been said the the best crash is the one you can walk away from. I've witnessed two in my lifetime. All occupants literally walked away from their horrendous accidents.

[silversurfer13]

Wow I am impressed with the Vue that much more..yes it has issues but it comes thro where it most counts...congrats!

whats next? another Vue?

[BobbyP]

Thank GOD you were in a Saturn! I'm glad you got out with minor injuries.

I know how you feel since I had one near death collision where I was hit head on at 45 mph by another car going 45 mph... It was one hell of an experience...

All real Saturn's including the VUE have always performed well in collisions. Even without air bags I felt 100% secure in my SC.

[mrtube]

i'm curious.

does it still run?

[chillin05VUE]

Originally Posted by mrtube

i'm curious.

does it still run?

Of course it runs. It has the Honda motor...lol

But seriously, I'm glad that you came out with minor injuries. From the looks of the VUE, it could have been much worse. I was rear-ended by an '81 Chevy Pick-up going 55 while I was at a stop. I was in a Toyota Previa. All I remember is feeling the impact and me hitting the brakes.....some 90 feet from where I was hit, so I know and feel your pain. Was anyone else hurt?

[lamont4689]

I just happy to read you made it thru, what sounds like a horrible crash-
thanks for your story.
rich in Va

[2NDSOUT]

Glad that you made it through. Being in an accident is never fun.

My wife and son were involved in an accident that totalled our 2005 VUE (ironically same color, minus sunroof); when a construction tarp was on the highway that my wife didn't see in the rain until it was too late. She any my son survived the accident, with just minor bruises.

( http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...rn+VUE+wrecked )

Take your time; and get well soon.

[BuySaturn]

Amazing. glad you were not seriously injured. bet the person that hit you can't believe you made it out of the vehicle unharmed.

[jenileigh]

I was the only one who was hurt out of the four cars involved. I stayed in the car because my door wouldn't open and I was covered in glass. I did leave the scene on the ambulance. And the person that caused the accident and rear-ended me really didn't car about me or anyone else on the road. He had a revoked license and no insurance. But yet he was on the roads doing HVAC work in a work van. He has no idea on my condition and I am sure he does not care.

And I definitely feel I had a guardian angel or two with me. But I am very impressed that I believe the construction of the Vue did help save my life.

[The Math God]

amen to that
better to let the Vue absorb all the damage

just too bad you can't get a new one to replace it

[Wildstar87]

Originally Posted by jenileigh

And the person that caused the accident and rear-ended me really didn't car about me or anyone else on the road. He had a revoked license and no insurance. But yet he was on the roads doing HVAC work in a work van. He has no idea on my condition and I am sure he does not care.

This person deserves to be sued to the ends of the earth. I HATE irresponsible people, who could care less if they kill someone because of their stupidity. I lost my leg to one of these idiots.

Of course usually it's not even worth suing because people who don't have insurance, usually don't have any money, and no lawyer will take the case, unless YOU pay for it. In this case though, you might be able to go after the company that is employing him, unless they aren't insured either. It is their responsibility as well, since he was driving for work.

The guy should get jail time, for driving on a revoked license, with no insurance, but usually ******s like this don't even get cited for some ungodly reason.

You could have some medical issues that won't show up until later, so just make sure you keep your options open.

[DaBooch]

Glad you are OK. Makes me pleased I chose a Saturn for my family. Safety is always first.

[MiSaturn]

Do everyone a favor and report the jerk to your state's DMV/BMV. As I recently found out, the great State of Ohio only allows you only 6 months from the date of the accident to report a person w/o a license.

You may not get him off the road, but you will prevent him from getting his license renewed (at least in the state that issued it).

[MiSaturn]

Originally Posted by jenileigh

He had a revoked license and no insurance. But yet he was on the roads doing HVAC work in a work van. He has no idea on my condition and I am sure he does not care.

But his employer probably would... . Hope you got the company's name, if he was indeed working for a HVAC contractor.

[TK1420]

Thanks for posting the photos. It's great to know what a VUE can take and still be able to protect its passengers.

I'm glad you're OK. I hope you git that jerk who caused the accident.

[stbvue]

I have to say the vue surely saved ya on this one. The roof on that looks like it held up enough not to crush you. I had a blow out in my S-10 blazer, thru me and my cousin for a 3-4 roll, the roof pinned us to the floor requiring us to be cut out of the vehicle. I feel better knowing this thing really holds up in a time of need!

[VTchemist]

My brother rolled his 2005 VUE after hitting two deer at 55mph. Lot's of front end damage, caved in part of the rear roof, and broke the rear wheel "linkage". It still could be driven (slowly). Of course, it was totaled.

My brother came away with only some bruising. No cuts or breaks to him.

[LotusLord]

Glad you are OK. The vue did it's job, but it definitely looks like it could have been worse.

And our 06 is the same color.

[youknowme]

Put it up on craigslist as 'fixer upper'