Lesson Learned - Pics of my truck added
This is way off topic but I thought it was worthy of posting so that someone, even one person might be able to benefit from my mistake.
On this past Saturday April 10th, I went to Las Vegas to visit my brother. We decided that the weather was so nice that we would indulge in one of our favorite activities which is to explore some of the many off road trails in and around the Vegas area.
This particular time, we choose a 38 mile dirt trail called Cain Springs Road which goes to an out of the way town called Elgin.
Everything was good for the first 20 miles or so and I decided that since it was beginning to become dark that I would speed up a little to make it to Elgin before dusk. Big mistake!
At mile marker 36, I came across a turn that was tighter than expected and lost control of my truck. I careened into a ditch and flipped 3 times before coming to rest upside down. My brother and I were able to free ourselves from the crushed cab and luckily were able to get help from passing motorists. From the time of the incident till we arrived at the hospital was over an hour. If we had been critically injured, there is no doubt in my mind that either one or both of us would be dead.
Fortunately, I escaped with some cuts, bruises, and about 10 stitches while my brother was relatively unscathed. We counted our blessings and have a completely new outlook on life.
What were the lessons learned?
1) Accidents can happen anywhere anytime to anyone. Live your life without regrets and be the best person that you can every single day.
2) Never ever assume that good luck and experience is a guarantee of your safety. I have been off-roading for years and up until this event, I thought that I was Ivan the "Ironman" Stewart. If you ask me now, I am Jeff the truckless dumbass that almost killed himself and his brother with a fat ticket to prove it.
3) Be involved with people and be a good samaritan. Over 20 people including the paramedics, nurses and strangers that stopped to help us were the kindest people I have ever met. They didn't know us but their concern and assistance is something that I will remember and appreciate till the day I die. I know that I will probably never be able to return their kindness to them but I can help someone else who needs assistance like I did when the opportunity presents itself.
4) Slow down! I can't emphasize this more. Streets and highways are dangerous and off roading is even more so. The risk of serious injury and death is not worth the miniscule amount of time that you think that you gained through being careless. If one or both of us had died that night, anything and everything that I thought was important to me wouldn't be worth crap right now.
I know that most of you already know this but sometimes enlightenment is something that must be shared and I have by all definitions been enlightened by my experience.
Wishing you all a safe trip no matter where you go.
-jeff-
Just got the pics from the insurance company.. Thought I would add them for those that are interested. Links are courtesy of my good friend Brent.
http://www.brentblain.com/images/toyota1.JPG
http://www.brentblain.com/images/toyota2.JPG
http://www.brentblain.com/images/toyota3.JPG
This is way off topic but I thought it was worthy of posting so that someone, even one person might be able to benefit from my mistake.
On this past Saturday April 10th, I went to Las Vegas to visit my brother. We decided that the weather was so nice that we would indulge in one of our favorite activities which is to explore some of the many off road trails in and around the Vegas area.
This particular time, we choose a 38 mile dirt trail called Cain Springs Road which goes to an out of the way town called Elgin.
Everything was good for the first 20 miles or so and I decided that since it was beginning to become dark that I would speed up a little to make it to Elgin before dusk. Big mistake!
At mile marker 36, I came across a turn that was tighter than expected and lost control of my truck. I careened into a ditch and flipped 3 times before coming to rest upside down. My brother and I were able to free ourselves from the crushed cab and luckily were able to get help from passing motorists. From the time of the incident till we arrived at the hospital was over an hour. If we had been critically injured, there is no doubt in my mind that either one or both of us would be dead.
Fortunately, I escaped with some cuts, bruises, and about 10 stitches while my brother was relatively unscathed. We counted our blessings and have a completely new outlook on life.
What were the lessons learned?
1) Accidents can happen anywhere anytime to anyone. Live your life without regrets and be the best person that you can every single day.
2) Never ever assume that good luck and experience is a guarantee of your safety. I have been off-roading for years and up until this event, I thought that I was Ivan the "Ironman" Stewart. If you ask me now, I am Jeff the truckless dumbass that almost killed himself and his brother with a fat ticket to prove it.
3) Be involved with people and be a good samaritan. Over 20 people including the paramedics, nurses and strangers that stopped to help us were the kindest people I have ever met. They didn't know us but their concern and assistance is something that I will remember and appreciate till the day I die. I know that I will probably never be able to return their kindness to them but I can help someone else who needs assistance like I did when the opportunity presents itself.
4) Slow down! I can't emphasize this more. Streets and highways are dangerous and off roading is even more so. The risk of serious injury and death is not worth the miniscule amount of time that you think that you gained through being careless. If one or both of us had died that night, anything and everything that I thought was important to me wouldn't be worth crap right now.
I know that most of you already know this but sometimes enlightenment is something that must be shared and I have by all definitions been enlightened by my experience.
Wishing you all a safe trip no matter where you go.
-jeff-
Just got the pics from the insurance company.. Thought I would add them for those that are interested. Links are courtesy of my good friend Brent.
http://www.brentblain.com/images/toyota1.JPG
http://www.brentblain.com/images/toyota2.JPG
http://www.brentblain.com/images/toyota3.JPG
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