rollover accident *PICS*

[tylerblue]

On January 10th I was the passenger in a rollover accident in a 1999 M3 convertible. Needless to say it scared me to death when the thing started to roll, as I thought the entire car would crush me. I didn't know however, that roll bars actually pop up in the back behind the rear headrests. Plain and simple, they saved my life and the driver's life. The driver of the vehicle escaped unscathed, and I escaped with minor head and neck injuries, and a moderate shoulder injury that I have undergone unsuccessful treatment on. Scheduled a week from today (Wednesday) is an MRI on my neck and shoulder, and a follow evaluation from an orthopedist to decide whether or not I will need surgery on my shoulder. It's unfortunate that I have to be going through all of this, but at the same time I thank the experts at BMW for most certainly saving saving my life and the life of the driver. Pics are below. As stated many times before, be careful on the road, and never drive outside of your or your car's abilities. As fun as BMW's are, they can also be very dangerous.

http://68.6.75.201:8081/~photos/rolloveraddicent

-Tyler

[Howies]

thank god for BMW engenering

[NarutoRamen]

Man...I'm really sorry about what happened. Seriously, I never knew that rollbars popped up. I kinda know what you're going through. I've been in 2 accidents in the past 1 1/2 years....I was the driver in both and none my fault. My last one was in Sept. 03 and I'm still going to the chiropracter because my back is messed up like hell. I hope nothing serious happened to you. Even though I don't know you...I still hope for the best for you man.

Get well soon,

Raman B.

[teckniks]

glad your ok ...

i never knew roll bars popped up.. wow..

[PatTink]

man, that is so cool that roll bar pop up. That is such a cool feature. I bet tons of people here didn't know about that. man, those things are so cool. Glad to see you are ok though

[Chet]

OMG ...It's good that you're OK now...

[eMed_out]

sorry about the injury but at least one can be thankful its not that serious. My girlfriends boss's daughter rolled over her 2002 Lexus SC430 which didnt have the roll bar feature. To make a long story short she needed reconstructive surgery on her face. Your right about one thing, we should thank those engineers who design ideas to save lives, and hope other manufactures adopt those same ones.

[hightcn]

how did you roll it over if you dont mind my asking?

[MikeV]

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/sh...=roll+accident

I believe these are one and the same.

[Kompressor]

Well, I am not sure, but I think they pop out when they hear the driver/passenger go "HOLY S**T" really loud... Seriouisly, maybe a gyroscope of some sort?



Glad you're ok man.

[E36DJ]

How's that for a 7 year old BMW safety feature? We had a 98 vert and they explained it to us at the dealer when we got the car.

The only problem is on a surface like the one in that picture, the ground can easily absorb the bars because of their small surface area (they sink into the ground on impact) on a road it's perfect though.

[MikeV]

I've heard of the bars popping up at autocross events for some people. They work by sensing the angle of the car and if it reaches a certain angle they deploy.

[Kassel]

any update on the car? Totaled or no? it looks like to me it may be

[tylerblue]

Miraculously the driver chose not to total the car, but rather have it fixed. Apparently some how the frame is straight, so he is going to have his insurance eat the 16k + bill to repair everything. On another note, I went to therapy today and my shoulder continues to get worse. I have no idea why it is getting worse, but I guess we will see come Wendesday when I have my MRI done. I'll keep you guys updated.

[E36DJ]

good luck man