A deer caused me to wreck my beautiful LaSalle

[TJ Hopland]

My last hit was in my 80 Eldo.   Doing 70 on the interstate, fall, light rain, and just after sunset.   Saw him and knew I had cars behind me and knew there was a car somewhere on my left.   Sure enough he shoots out and the slow mo starts.  Bracing for impact but then he seemed to clear the front of the car.   Next thing I know there is the face of a deer looking at me through my side window just before the window shatters.   Apparently just clipped him in the rear and spun him around.  Cracked the fiberglass front clip and buckled the hood and fender slightly.  Legs broke the emblem and center off the wire wheel cover.   Somehow missed the mirror.   Head or antlers shattered my window. 

I didn't even have time to kick the cruise off and after the hit didn't bother.   My passenger said to pull over but I said why and tried not to move much because I knew for sure I was covered in glass.   Exit was coming up in about a mile with a truck stop and I figured would be a heck of a lot safer and easier to get there assuming the car kept going than pull over on the interstate in the rain in the dark.   

I just had some small cuts that looked much worse than they were.   Could hardly tell after I wiped off the blood some of which could have been the deer's.  Got $5 worth of quarters and used them on the vacuums over by the car wash to try and get as much glass as possible picked up.  Drove another 50 miles with just a now wet sweatshirt and no window.   Got to a friends and taped a trash bag up.   That lasted about a mile before that was way more annoying than the rain and cold.

Replaced the window glass and JB welded the headlights back in sorta straight and a little work with a big hammer got the hood and doors to work again.   Drove it that whole winter then got the convert out in the summer but never went back to it the next winter.

About 2 weeks later I was with some friends at an arcade video game auction and would flinch every time I was near one of the big buck hunter games that was turned on.       

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I have been lucky driving through Oregon and Washington states at night where all you see is the white butts of the deer along the roadside -.......Steve B.....

I must consider myself lucky as I drove through Oregon at night, on my way to the Dearborn GN in 2002, and was having a blast on the lovely winding road, through the forests, no cars coming the other way so straight-lining bends was a must, before stopping at a Motel before midnight.

Never thought about the possibility of any of those critters getting in my path, or I would have slowed down a tad.   The little TBird would not have fared well if hit.

Bruce.

[bcroe]

Bad stuff happens.  Both of us here have hit a deer, both
of us did not swerve, both of us drove away from the
incident leaving behind a very dead deer.  Bruce Roe

[76eldo]

This is terrible. I hope you are ok.
Hagerty is usually very fair with their claims and have a full time parts locator on staff.

They may give you the full amount and let you keep the car for salvage value.

Hope you work things out. 

[tripwire]

Bob,
Sorry to hear about your catastrophe.
I have no idea where you are but this car might be a possible organ donor.
https://montana.craigslist.org/pts/d/worden-1940-cadillac-lasalle/7158696114.html


Good luck,
Wes in VT

[Cadman-iac]

Cadmaniac love the quote. Clay/Lexi

I taught my son this when he was first beginning to drive, because I have seen too many people swerve or stomp the brakes and almost wreck their cars because of a rabbit or a bird or dog, cat, coyote,  roadrunner, whatever, and it's just not worth your life, or injury, property damages.
I had to come up with a catchy phrase that he would remember, and that's what came to mind.
I used to do that same thing when I was younger myself, and after a close call one day I realized that it just was not a safe way to operate.
The damage to the front of your car or truck is a lot easier to fix if you hit it than if you plow a ditch or pole, or tree, mountain, etc, by trying to avoid it.
So if you can't see it over the hood when it's 10 feet in front of you, kill it and say a prayer for it afterwards if you're so inclined. Better the animal dies than you or someone else if you lose control.
The only time I recommend swerving is if it's a really large animal like a cow or horse, and being out here in open range,  I have had both suddenly appear in the middle of the road, and have personally had to help someone out of a car after he hit a dark horse just outside of Tombstone one night. I got there just after it happened. Neither the car or the horse fared well in that case. I had to peel the windshield up so he could climb out as both doors were jammed from the roof being laid down on them.
I used to have a pipe rack on my old truck and had a pair of halogen driving lights mounted on the front.  I called them my cowspotters and used them a lot when the roads here were less traveled.  I had them aimed towards the edges of the road so I had at least a fighting chance to avoid hitting one. Really can't do that anymore though.
  Years ago my next door neighbor just  clipped a cow one night just down the road and almost wrecked his truck. The only thing that saved him was the cow was just standing on the edge of the road. The cow got the worst of it as it drove his horn into his skull and dropped him right there.

And to Bob, I hope you recover quickly.

Rick

[Lexi]

Rick yes, that makes sense. But still LMAO over that quote. So it worked at least for me as it is now stuck in what remains of my brain. Clay/Lexi

[z3skybolt]

Thanks to all....

.....for comments of concern and help in finding replacement parts.  My stomach still sickens when I look at the LaSalle and think of the mistake that I made.  Other than being quite downhearted I am O.K.  Face looks all beat up and scabbed over but the soreness from my back is gone and nearly from the neck also.  Just some bruises and ugly abrasions.

I have met with the owner of a restoration shop in St. Louis which was recommended by Hagerty. He has a fantastic facility is very personable and feels that he can restore my car if we can find parts in good shape at fair prices.  He operates on a time and parts basis and has the ability to do everything.....body, mechanical, electrial even interior....and can fabricate many parts.  My car is still perfect from the firewall back. Hope that Hagerty does not total it.

And yes....I knew not to swerve. My friend who is an accident investigator always told me....if it is smaller than a pony and not human...hit it.   This should be a reminder to all. Honestly given the impact....I am amazed that I was not really injured.  I have a lot of life left to live(as much as a 73 year old could hope for).  I gave thanks to the God of my understanding.

Thanks,

Bob

[Lexi]

Best news Bob is that you are OK. Given the locating of parts your car will once again grace the road, and perhaps be even better than it was. Clay/Lexi

[J. Skelly]

I had a close call driving home from South Bend in my '77 on NB I-69.  It was still light out (about 9 P.M.) when I saw a large buck facing west while standing in my lane.  Going 70 and with only a few seconds to react, I glanced at the shoulder.  I determined that there was a smooth transition from lane to shoulder, so I gradually inched my way over without slowing down.   I missed the deer by inches and fortunately it leapt away into the other lane.  I thank God that nothing happened to me or the car.  I have read that it's risky to try driving on the shoulder, but sometimes it may be your best option.  I didn't use my horn, either, since I thought it might freeze or head for the shoulder.

Count your blessings, Bob!  You could have been hurt much worse.  I hope your beautiful coupe gets fixed up.

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Aw jeez , Bob. Just saw this. Glad you are ok.
In your last post you say you made a mistake. I disagree.  You did what just about any of us would have done.
All the best,
Jeff