Yeah, sorry. Didn't mean to leave out those who haven't happened to read that thread I was referring to. Thanks for finding that. In a nutshell, if you don't like reading long threads to get the gist: crazy anti-EV guy from another country (doesn't matter which one, people from there are amazing generally) files, like, dozens of fake Model S suspension problems with the NHTSA using any random Model S smash-up photos he can find from real accidents that had absolutely nothing to do with a failure of the car in any way.
As requested, just wanted to update this story on a positive note. Last week I took delivery of the fastest ship in the galaxy. She is an incredible machine and I can only describe the acceleration as both exhilarating and mind bending. Its been a long journey since my accident, but well worth the wait and troubles I've been through. Thanks to everyone for your support and camaraderie along the way! I have no doubt in my mind that my decision to purchase my first Tesla saved our lives. After the accident, Tesla was amazing and provided me with a P85 loaner after my ICE rental ran out. As stated in my initial post, I would again not hesitate to purchase another Tesla, if only for the safety features alone. See you guys around this awesome community. -Still grinning (and living!)
The fact that the Model S has a larger crumble zone does not imply that the car as a whole is more crumple-able. In fact, the Model S is extremely stiff (it broke the DOT testing machine that was supposed to make its roof cave in and the battery compartment/floor is a very heavy and stiff component that will seriously damage the typical car in a collision. Btw, for the accident starting this thread, the side impact looks more scary that the frontal damage, and I feel certain that the stiff battery compartment saved the life of the Tesla passenger.
@Model S M.D. Love the name. Petitioned for that for ours, but the wife vetoed in favor of Khaleesi from Game of Thrones. Maybe on MY model S
Thanks! I'm a big GOT fan too. Khaleesi is resistant to fire just like Teslas are resistant to ICE fire/exhaust breathing machines
The stiffness of the roof has nothing to do with the ability of the rest of the car to absorb an impact. Just because the roof is designed to be stiff and not crush does not mean the rest of the car is the same. The cars are designed to maximize survival in the typical collision scenarios that passenger cars encounter with different safety features in different locations. The massive front end crumple zone of a Tesla is a tremendous benefit for a frontal collision.
Absolutely. And this is irrelevant to the ongoing sub-topic of whether this is beneficial to people _outside_ the vehicle.
AFAIK only VW have introduced pedestrian airbags. Not sure how it would help someone riding a bicycle.
Yes, its about time someone mention it: Newtons Law " Forces are equal and opposite" Thus the other driver might also buy a Tesla next time.
Haven't been on in awhile. Forgot to mention that the other drivers also survived. The driver of the car that hit us went to the hospital and had some undisclosed injuries treated. The family in the SUV also survived with minor injuries. My Model S basically took the brunt of the impact. Still grinning, living and terrified of driving through intersections, -MSMD
Happy that you and your wife escaped wthout injuries. Regarding the guy who hit you, I spend about half of my time driving watching out for fools doing incredibly stupid things behind the wheel, especially at traffic lights, which dumb asses run all of the time.
I disagree. It looks like the heavy bottom rail prevented the door from intruding even further into the cabin, perhaps catastrophically so. I doubt you would see a door caved in so much just in the middle if the surrounding structure was not so rigid. That would hurt if you were sitting in the passenger seat if that door came in any further (and someone was).
Surgeon, allegedly causes accident requiring morticians and funeral directors and also attorneys. I wonder how it all turned out. Actually, this is how it turned out: Doctor gets probation, community service for Laguna Canyon Road crash that killed 2 men – Orange County Register Speed and Tesla aren't the enemy but carelessness, recklessness and overall bad driving and poor decisions certainly are.
Doctor gets probation, community service for Laguna Canyon Road crash that killed 2 men – Orange County Register