Serious: Totaled my 914 yesterday, everyone OK :( Options

[Dr Evil]

I had Chris (type11969) over the night after the swap meet and we had a great time. He stayed up until 0430 playing cards with Noel and Heidi while I had to retire at 0130 due to the fact I hadn't gotten any sleep from the previous nights. We woke up well rested on Sun and headed out for some brunch. Chris let me drive his 76 westy so I could see how it worked and it was great. When we got back I offered to take Chris for a ride in my car to help fuel his inspiration for completing his. I decided to take him on the road by my house that has one nice long S and a sharp S followed by 2 nice straights. I have driven this road for 3 years and have taken my 914 down it many times. I dont like to drive outside my comfort zone, especially with a passenger so I was fairly tame. I hit the final tight S from a 35mph road to a suggested (yellow sign) 20mph. I made the first part of the S, a right hander, but upon turning for the left part my rear broke loose for reasons I am still pondering. I fished right, steer right, fished left, steer left, back right and that is when the rear wheels left the road and lost traction in the dirt and gravel on the side of the road. The car slid side ways impacting the passenger side against a pole right at the front seam of the passenger door. Chris sustained some broken teeth and some lacerations to his eyebrow, cheek, and lower lip on the right side. Many bystanders stopped to help and one had a first aid kit so I triaged Chris at the scene just before the EMS showed up. They looked him over and recommended that he get the lacerations stitched up and I said I was gonna take him to the ER at Hershey.
I took Chris home, helped clean him up and then we all went to the ER which was thankfully pretty empty. I hung out with Chris the whole time while the girls waited in the waiting room. He is doing well, but his face is swollen a bit and he is going to see the dentist today. The guy is a real trooper. He stayed an extra night at our house and the girls took care of him making him smoothies and home made mashed potatoes.
I am still trying to figure out what was so different to help this accident happen. I made it through the first part of the S fine and the second was not the hard turn. There was no skid marks. I didnt see any gravel, but will go back today to check it out and see if there was something I missed. This is a learning experience that I can not afford to ignore and want to glean every bit I can from it so it will never happen again. I cant begin the put into words the amount of guilt I feel about Chris getting injured. I am just thankful it was not any worse.

I'll get pics as soon as I can so ya'll can maybe learn something or put in your $.02 about what you think happened. The only thing I can think is that I braked too hard , but that doesnt make sense to me since it was the second part of the S and I was in control up to that point.

I am OK physically. Only a bruised knuckle and a nice bruise and abrasion on my left shoulder form the seatbelt. That, and my mind is a little scrambled so if this post is not too linear in thought you know why. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I will be calling the insurance company today and intend to harvest the parts from my car. I will likely need help in valuating it. Too much to think about.

<edited>

[Zaney]

Glad everyone is Ok! I think you and I are the victim of cold tires. Last weekend I took out my front passenger A-arm, tire, and tie rod by sliding into a curb through a traffic circle. Weird weather out in these parts. Last weekend 33 and freezing rain. This weekend 70 and sunny. Now it is 55 and raining.

The troops will ralley for the Doc. Let us know what we can do to help ya! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)