I had just left my friend's graduation party, and was headed to another friend's house. It was around 10:30 last night, and I was travelling happily along West Ronald Regan higway. This is a dark highway with few streetlights (only near major exits). I wasn't even speeding. I usually go 10-20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit of 60 on this road, but this time I stayed between 60 and 65.

I was about 1 mile from my exit when I saw a big @$$ raccoon coming off the shoulder onto the highway right in front of me. I swerved toward the shoulder to keep from hitting the damn thing, and ended up overcorrecting myself. I ended up shooting across the other side of the road onto the median. I shot AGAIN over to the shoulder and back again into the median. This time I went all the way through to the other side of the median (Eastbound's side) facing the wrong way and began rolling to a stop right beside the freaking guardrail (One of those short guardrails that protects cars from hitting the pillars of an overpass/bridge). I was trying to make sure I wasn't rubbing against it as I stopped, but I was sure that I had a nice amount of damage to the right side of the car.

I cranked the car, made a U-turn, and pulled onto the shoulder going Eastbound. A nice older guy driving a blue Mustang was nice enough to stop to make sure I was ok. I looked over the car, and couldnt find or feel any damage to the body. I stood there for a few minutes - the guy wouldn't let me leave until I had taken a few minutes to gather myself, although I very calm - and then drove up the highway to the exit I had just passed (Hamilton Ave.). I stopped in the Kroger parking lot, got out, and saw this:






So basically I need a new driver's side skirt and the screw hole on the rear passenger's splash guard is ripped. Anyone have these available?

I'm thankful that I'm ok. I told the guy that I should have just run over it, but I may have ended up replacing a whole front bumper among other things. Dude even commented on my handling of the car

The only reason I took that highway is because I-75 S was backed up due to construction. Also before the accident, as I was nearing the Hamilton exit, I thought, "I should go this way" but didnt do it. As a result...I encountered the damn raccoon. And I ended up going Hamilton ANYWAY because of the accident. LoL

*sigh* I spent all day washing & waxing my car yesterday, too.

 

Well as a raccon lover that I am. The racoon family thanks you. I think he was barely getting off of work himself aand was racing home to feed his family. Either that or he was boozing it up also and was staggering over the highway. Seriously could you ever hit a mug like this.

 

Glad to hear you did not hurt yourself and happy to hear your car was held to minor damage. I have seen what a raccoon can do to the front bumper of the 350Z and it was not pretty either. You could go aftermarket side skirts now if you want . Better yet, you may find someone who has replaced their skirts with aftermarket and may give you a deal. Keep us posted on the repair.

 

Always hit the small animal if you don't have time to react. You are worth more than they are. I don't know how many cases I've seen where people have ditched it, hit brick signs, hit other cars, etc and even hurt themselves when avoiding stuff. A lady at work's teenage son just did about $10,000 dmg to his car plus more to the property, and could have hurt himself when he dodge a cat into a brick sign in front of a business.

If you have time to safely dodge, great, but if not, sometimes it is just best to grab the wheel and go straight.

Good thing is you are OK. Your car can be fixed, so don't worry too much about it

 

*just random info - nissanparts.cc appears to have some items
cheaper than courtesy. just an observation*

When I had my truck, I hit about 2 birds and ran over 1...i left really bad afterwards. Then it just occured to me that some birds are just DUMB! If I had run over that raccoon, I would have felt really really bad. Thats why I dodge it. But you're right...I MAY have fared better by just running over it. *shudders at the thought*

I would order Nismo sideskirts from Japan parts, but who knows when I'll get that. And getting from KC Aero/Bavaria, etc. is a lil too risky since no one can really get the fitments right.

 

This thread gave me a good laugh. I can't believe the guy complimented the car on handling, after you just wrecked, lol. Funny stuff guerojo. And then people compain about killing deer, it's either kill them in the woods, or let them kill people and/or get killed on the highway (similar to what happened to you).

 

the very same day, ironically.

 

I surely hope you didnt find my running off the road because of a stupid raccoon funny. Also, I think that the guy's compliment was warranted, due to the fact that I didnt hit ANYTHING, considering all that was around me.

 

At least your Z didn't start on fire! (Knock on wood.)

 

Sorry to hear about your Z, but im glad you are OK!!! Hope you get it fixed soon.


--Josh

 

I got up under the car today to clean out all the grass i caught and to see how badly the side skirt was damaged.

Question...this piece has a section missing. Important enough to come out of my pocket w/ the loot to have it replaced?




And I kinda made the front of the skirt look a lil better

 

anyone?

 

Dont see what you are refering to. Could you use an arrow?

 

I'm sure the raccoon is very thankful you didn't hit him...

Seriously though, good to see you're okay and that it wasn't too bad of an accident. It could have been a lot worse!

 

Sorry to hear and see the damage.

Yeah next time just hit the raccoon. That will cause less damage and rid the world of one more pest.

 

It was funny. You didn't get hurt, your car is barely hurt. Don't say you could have been hurt, it could have been worse etc. b/c it wasn't and it's funny b/c nothing happened.

 

Funny... I don't see any humor here and anyone that does, ain't playin' with a full deck!

Most importantly though, Nissan350Z, you should take your car to your dealer and get it looked at so you know what kind of damage you're dealing with.

 

Sir.. As we have many Racoon..

Next time please keep your wit's about you and do not endange your self or passengers.

Just think... and let the inpact be minimal, do not hurt your self or your loved ones. Steer straight.. A Cow on the road - however.... I've seen one cow strike take off three axels of a trailer. Take the best line, and pray.

Cheers Amy -

 

Although it's sad that your car was damaged...you did the right thing. I could never hit an animal on purpose. I LOVE my car like nothing else.....but I feel for the animals, especially here in NJ where I live. All the land is taken away and they've got no place to go. It's just strip mall after strip mall, housing developments and more housing developments.

Animals - it's their world too!

 

Hey Vandy....

Sorry. This is the piece I was referring to. It is circled in red.