[GrabacrOne]

This evening, my parents were t-boned in our X3 by a Ford Ranger pick-up truck that ran the red light at around 50+ mph.

My parents owe their lives to the excellent engineering of the X3's crash structure. For all the noise and energy in the impact, the doors didn't even enter the cabin and the damage is fairly limited. All the driver-side airbags and passenger-side curtain airbags deployed. The X3 spun around a few times before hitting another car at the intersection. Right after the impact, the windows all slightly opened, the car switched to park, and the engine shut-off. Within seconds, BMW SOS called to check on them and notified both police and EMS. Apart from some soreness, they are fine. This is my dad's second major accident in a matter of a few years.

No idea if the vehicle is totaled. The insurance adjuster still has to take a look.

Living several states away from them, I dread the day I get a call about such terrible news, but the X3 saved their lives today. For all the issues we complain about, from flaking exhaust tips to rattles in the cabin, BMW sure got the important things right.

[dj_intrinsic]

wow! Glad to hear your family is OK!

[Jayf30]

Woah! Glad everyone is ok! Sorry such a terrible thing had to happen to your parents

[TheMooseMan]

Yeah, glad to hear they're fine and it's good to see how well made and, specially, how safe these cars are. I hope your parents recover fast and they can get another X3 to drive around.

[gregtennis91]

Glad to hear everyone is doing well and is safe!

[BuddhaTB]

Good to hear that your parents are doing well with no serious injuries. I can certainly appreciate BMW for engineering such a safe vehicle.

[chicagofan00]

Wow! Glad to hear your parents are doing ok. Looks like the X3 did its job regarding safety.

[Replicant]

Glad to hear they are ok! Definitely totaled.

[HollyM]

So happy to know your parents are OK. Thank you for the nice write-up. It's reassuring to know this vehicle is designed so well for situations just like this. I never feel safer than when driving my Suburban, but now I will feel quite a bit better when piloting my X3.

Wishing your parents well as they heal.

[RichM50d]

Shiiiiiittttt. I’m glad they’re ok. There’s no way that car won’t be totalled.

[Rbrown]

Nightmare. Just glad everyone is ok. That's what matters.

[Lux700]

Good to know, no injuries. As said, car’s definitely totalled - T Cut won’t get that out!

[MarkyM]

Glad they're OK, looking at the pictures that's frightening and impressive at the same time, not sure many cars would come of better

[BMWZ4]

Definitely a nightmare scenario. You're right about the engineering though. Great car where it counts. Glad your folks are ok.

[chassis]

Glad your parents are ok.

The vehicle is totaled.

A family member was hit by a distracted driver 800 miles away from me and it was a difficult phone call listening to the EMS pull her out of the car while we were talking. She is OK.

Modern safety systems are incredible and effective.

[MechX3M40i]

Excellent write up, and glad that your parents walked out of that ok. Wish them a speedy recovery, especially they got a real scare.

After seeing several of these incidences in this forum with the same results (occupants walked out of major accidents ok), I am feeling real good about driving my X3.

[XXX3]

So thankful that your folks are okay. I’ve cut people out of cars as a Firefighter, and most t-bone collisions cause severe injuries; this BMW has a top safety pick with IIHS for this very reason: It’s solid. Check this t-bone accident from a few weeks ago in Los Angeles. I was actually watching the evening news and watched this chase live; the collision was awful.
Advance the video to 16:50 minutes. Same mechanism of injury as OP. This person was driving a 2018 or 19 Toyota Rav 4, she was out of the hospital the next day. Truck was going 53 mph. Shocking to watch.

https://fox5sandiego.com/2019/04/04/...ck-through-la/

[lo_cheng]

Wow, I am glad your family are all fine and sound.
That's the most important thing.

[CH3CKM4TE]

Thank god your folks are ok! Car can always be replaced.

[XGoober]

Wow! Nice to know we are well protected. Glad they are ok.

Wonder what the reasoning is for rolling down the windows? Ventilation?

[SROC3]

First off - glad your family is ok. And yes BMW does have the best safety cage/tech in place. I myself in 2013, Crashed my M3 and rear ended a truck and went under it. I escaped with no scratches or bruises. The car was a wreck and I was totally fine, except for a mild concussion that lasted a week. The airbag deployed, caught me completely before the seatbelt could even bruise my chest. BMW SOS called me in less than a minute. stayed with me till the EMTs arrived. It was a pretty amazing experience - minus the accident of course I am a total BMW fan because of this as well. They really have their shit together.

[GrabacrOne]

Thanks everyone for the kind words! They are doing okay. I agree the car will likely be totaled. Now the search for a worthy replacement...

Originally Posted by XGoober

Wow! Nice to know we are well protected. Glad they are ok.

Wonder what the reasoning is for rolling down the windows? Ventilation?

I was wondering this as well. They mentioned the gases from the airbag were very thick and smelled terrible - maybe the ventilation is to evacuate these gases.