An idiot hit us in “ Small overlap front collision” and I assume totaled my R1T [Updated with pic of damage to other truck 😱]

[pc500]

Energy = mass x velocity Add together the energy of the 2 objects and the total energy of the system will be the same before and after the collision.

Lets assume a collision where they smash into each other and stick together as that makes calculation easy and is not completly unrealistic.

Scenario 1. Both the same size/speed.

Vehicle 1 velocity: 45
Vehicle 2 velocity: -45 (negative because it is in the opposite direction

Vehicle 1 weight: 4000
Vehicle 2 weight: 4000

45*4000 + (-45)*4000 = 0 (0 energy mean both vehicles instantly come to a complete stop - the same as hitting an immovable wall) In an instant both vehicles speed is changed by 45mph.


Now for a Rivian vs Lighter vehicle.

Vehicle 1 velocity: 45
Vehicle 2 velocity: -45 (negative because it is in the opposite direction

Vehicle 1 weight: 8000
Vehicle 2 weight: 4000

The total energy is: 45*8000 + (-45)*4000 = 180000

180000 / (8000+4000) = 15mph

After the crash both vehicles will be traveling 15mph in the direction the Rivian was heading. So the Rivian's speed is instantly changed by 30MPH and the other vehicle's speed was instantly changed by 60mph. It hurts 2x as much to be in the lighter vehicle and it is 33% worse for the person in the light vehcile than hitting an immovable wall.

If they bounce instead of sticking together it can be even worse for the lighter object. Imagine a tennis ball hitting your windshield. The tennis ball will take on more energy than it imparts and will shoot off faster than either was traveling before the collision.

While this is the energy, what isn't accounted for is the G force (deceleration over distance). If the crumbling starts at 100mph, and in 4 feet they decelerate to 0mph, that's a little different then over 2 feet. So I'm interested to how the peak g-force factors into this (two crumble zones with two vehicle vs. one)

You do also bring up the point about the 2/3 distributrion of energy.

Sponsored

 

[jeeden]

Many calls have 911 assist where upon the vehicle instructs the phone over Bluetooth to call upon airbag deployment.

Right, but that would usually be for a vehicle that couldn't make the call itself. If it has Onstar service for GM or SOS for Rivian, it doesn't need a phone to do it I don't think.

 

[rivianUGA]

I’m not sure about whether the truck did the sos thing. We got out quickly and I didn’t even know where my known was. I just could hear 911 on my watch when then started talking. I didn’t know it had called until I heard them.
The power in the truck still was working though. I got in it about an hour later to get a few things out and the radio was still playing. Spotify.

 

[Trandall]

The man in the picture that looks in shock is not me. I’m the one that took the picture. That guy is actually the man that was behind the drunk driver. He was in shock because of what he saw. The little boy is my kid though. That man stood over there with him while my wife was trying to get there.

While unfortunate this happened I'm glad the R1T largely shielded you. I know I am going to contact my insurance agent to make sure I have adequate coverage for this type of thing. Please keep us informed on the process as your able.

 

[Tahoe Man]

Vehicle 1 weight: 8000
Vehicle 2 weight: 4000

The total energy is: 45*8000 + (-45)*4000 = 180000

180000 / (8000+4000) = 15mph

After the crash both vehicles will be traveling 15mph in the direction the Rivian was heading. So the Rivian's speed is instantly changed by 30MPH and the other vehicle's speed was instantly changed by 60mph. It hurts 2x as much to be in the lighter vehicle and it is 33% worse for the person in the light vehcile than hitting an immovable wall.

If they bounce instead of sticking together it can be even worse for the lighter object. Imagine a tennis ball hitting your windshield. The tennis ball will take on more energy than it imparts and will shoot off faster than either was traveling before the collision.

But some of that energy transfers and gets absorbed into deforming the metal, correct?

 

[moosehead]

So glad you and your son are OK. A bit of a miracle under the circumstances.

 

[rivianUGA]

This is almost exactly what it was like, except he was driving fast instead of sitting still.

 

[Southern R1S]

They all said they insured for the price purchased. Rivian Nationwide was the only one of the three that offered "purchase price + 10%". Perhaps Progressive is also some sort of exception?

Good luck with everything!

That would be my concern as well; assuming OP got his R1T at pre March 2022 pricing and will now have to repurchase at post March pricing.

For those eligible for USAA, their auto insurance values at "Actual Cash Value (ACV)" which is essentially a regionalized value determination based on local conditions, prices, comps, etc. & they offer a relatively inexpensive "New Car Replacement Assistance" feature you can add to the policy that pays out 120% of ACV if there is a total loss.

I normally avoid the new car replacement / assistance type things because insurers (like casinos) typically don't give you new or additional options that aren't money makers for them, but definitely took for our new R1S since there's an immediate $25k jump to buy a new one that may or may not be reflected in the market (ACV) determination if we are ever unfortunate enough to have a total loss.

It's of course YMMV, but USAA rates were also the lowest in our case out of all the majors we quoted with & and their customer service and claims management is generally about as good as it gets anywhere.

 

[zefram47]

For those eligible for USAA, their auto insurance values at "Actual Cash Value (ACV)" which is essentially a regionalized value determination based on local conditions, prices, comps, etc. & they offer a relatively inexpensive "New Car Replacement Assistance" feature you can add to the policy that pays out 120% of ACV if there is a total loss.

I normally avoid the new car replacement / assistance type things because insurers (like casinos) typically don't give you new or additional options that aren't money makers for them, but definitely took for our new R1S since there's an immediate $25k jump to buy a new one that may or may not be reflected in the market (ACV) determination if we are ever unfortunate enough to have a total loss.

It's of course YMMV, but USAA rates were also the lowest in our case out of all the majors we quoted with & and their customer service and claims management is generally about as good as it gets anywhere.

Still kept USAA, but they definitely weren't the lowest quote for me. And the New Car Replacement Assistance add-on was absurdly expensive compared to what AllState quoted for a similar product.

 

[graemebshaw]

While this is the energy, what isn't accounted for is the G force (deceleration over distance). If the crumbling starts at 100mph, and in 4 feet they decelerate to 0mph, that's a little different then over 2 feet. So I'm interested to how the peak g-force factors into this (two crumble zones with two vehicle vs. one)

You do also bring up the point about the 2/3 distributrion of energy.

Actually the calculation he did was for momentum (m*v). Momentum is conserved in collisions. Kinetic energy is 1/2 m v^2 and is not conserved. But his calculation and conclusions are generally correct.

 

[Hillbilly]

The witnesses that checked on the guy all told me he was drunk. But I never got close to him. I didn’t want to be near him. I was so mad

Your police report will tell you if he was charged.

 

[graemebshaw]

For those interested, Sandy Munroe’s team explained the “offensive” strategy implemented by Rivian for these kind of overlapping collisions, to deflect the car away upon impact (as opposed to the traditional crumple defensive strategy). The video I have linked addresses this around 4-6 mins in. Really great to see that it works and probably saved the OPs life.

 

[Deleted member 11292]

Brings me back to that Sandy Munroe video where they basically said the front crash structure of the R1 vehicles were overbuilt.

Glad y'all are ok. Praying for the other guy.

And ignore what someone said earlier about chiropractors; I've known and worked with a number of neurosurgeons over the years and none of them can actually permanently fix your back problems. If you have them.

 

[iansriv]

It's a bloody miracle you and your son got out unscathed. That is the most important thing and I see you fully recognise that. I admire your humanity for the other person. I would not be as gracious if a drunk driver hit my car.

I am not an expert but I agree with others about the car looking like it will be totalled. It will be frustrating getting back to "normal." Be patient with yourself and the idiots that you will invariably be surrounded by during your journey back to "normal." Create a file, keep track of all communication, names, dates, etc. Talk to a lawyer. Not suggesting to use one but always good to consult one under the circumstances. All the best!

 

[Joe schmoe]

That picture of the other truck is terrifying

Here’s pictures of the truck that hit me

That picture is terrifying, especially so (for me) because I drove an S10 variant from 1991 through 1996 (an Oldsmobile Bravada). The steering wheel is closer to the seatback than it is to its normal position. The amount of deformation of the cab structure is amazing. I'm amazed that it was apparently survivable.

Sponsored