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Walked away from a totaled Rubicon

RFR JLR 2.0

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It's been over a year since I totaled my 2018 Rubicon and the three insurance companies involved finally settled the claim. I was doing about 65mph on the freeway when a car two lanes over came into the lane next to me, hitting the front of a GMC pickup. That forced the truck into my lane, hitting me in the right rear. This sent me sideways, shooting across the freeway and into a concrete sound wall. The impact was so violent that I just sat there for a few minutes expecting to start feeling pain set in. When I realized I wasn't injured and tried to get out, I had a hard time opening the door because the frame was badly bent. The guy that hit me said he was sure I was going to roll when he saw me spinning down the side of the freeway. However, I don't remember ever spinning and realized that's because my face was buried deep in the airbag.

The initial impact was front driver side. From the damage I figure I then spun clockwise, hitting the wall two more times. The next impact was left rear, which resulted in only minor damage. I then spun another 180 degrees hitting hard against the wall on the right side. This resulted in blowing out the tires, destroying the wheels, and ripping the fender off. The passenger side wiper blade spun around 180 degrees and was embedded in the windshield.

As I was standing on the side of the freeway, I noticed that the tow truck driver looked confused. He kept looking at the jeep, looking at me, and back at the jeep. He then approached me, pointed to the jeep and said "you were in that?" I said "yep". He then said "you're a blessed man. I've seen people killed in accidents like this." He pointed back to the jeep and said "that can be replaced, you can't". That's when I went from being mad that I just totaled my Rubicon to being glad that I just walked away from my totaled Rubicon.

I needed up with a bruised left shoulder, mark on the bridge of my nose where my sunglasses were forced into my face from the airbag, and a stiff neck for a couple of days. The wall was uninjured, but I left a nice mark.

Two weeks later I had my insurance money and a week after that a 2019 Rubicon. Same color, of course, but with a few more upgrades.

So despite whatever marginal crash test ratings these vehicles received, I give it the highest rating.

Jeep Wrangler JL Walked away from a totaled Rubicon IMG_1072.JPG
Jeep Wrangler JL Walked away from a totaled Rubicon IMG_1070.JPG
Jeep Wrangler JL Walked away from a totaled Rubicon IMG_1071.JPG
Jeep Wrangler JL Walked away from a totaled Rubicon IMG_1083.JPG
Jeep Wrangler JL Walked away from a totaled Rubicon IMG_1127 (1)
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Rob97RR

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Wow, that's scary stuff. And I can't wrap my head around the imbedded, yet still attached wiper blade!?! How in the heck did that happen?? 😲

Regardless, I'm glad you're alright!
 
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JimmyZ

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Glad you're ok!
 

SargeRubicon14

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I've been to hundreds of crashes (LEO is my career). I've seen people die with less damage to their vehicles and I've seen people walk away from vehicles that were more damaged than yours. I'm a firm believer of "if it's your time, it's your time". I'm glad it wasn't your time and you are OK. It looks like the Jeep did it's job, Enjoy the new ride!
 

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SlowPoke21

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Glad to see that you walked away.
 

wibornz

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They build new Jeep every few minutes. Out with the not old but old, in with the new. Great attitude about the situation and glad to here that your injuries were not sever. It was obviously not your turn. Keep enjoying that life.
 

#diesel

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The G-force from the spin (or maybe combined with a sudden top) that flung the wiper blade into the windshield ... just wow. What a ride!
 

entropy

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wow man that looks like a solid crash. Glad you are alright. My wife and I also survived without injuries a totaled 2018 2 door JL freeway crash.
 

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MichaelAnthony

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Glad to see you're blessed...
 

frank-o

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Wow - glad you're alright. Thanks for sharing and take care.
 

mjindy

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Wow! That’s amazing. Glad you are ok. Getting on the Interstate these days scares the crap out of me. Thanks for sharing.
 

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It's crazy that took a year to resolve. Glad you're doing well.
 

aldo98229

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Glad to hear you are okay, OP!

I can't wrap my head around the imbedded, yet still attached wiper blade!?! How in the heck did that happen?? 😲
Have you ever tried to replace one of those wiper blades...? :LOL:
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