I Got the Call That Every Mom Dreads, “Mom, I Was In an Accident With My Forester, I Was T-Boned By a Ford F-250”

It's the call that every mom dreads the most.

If you have ever gotten a call from one of your kids, and they've been in an accident, you know the feeling of dread. You have visions of your child laying on the ground, bleeding, and wondering how badly they are hurt.

My wife received that call a few years ago. Our youngest daughter called late at night while driving a dark stretch of road between Denver and Bailey, Colorado. My wife answered the phone and heard our youngest daughter say with a quivering voice, "Mom, I just hit an Elk." 

If you know about Elk, you know that they are huge animals, and it's nothing like hitting a deer. The Elk stands much taller, and when they are hit, they usually flip up and go right through the windshield. The impact can severely injure or even kill the driver.  

In this case, the Elk glanced off the side of the car and rolled away from the car. My daughter was traveling 60 miles an hour; it totaled the car, but it could have been life-threatening. 

Here is Julie's story.

Julie says as she writes to Subaru of America, "Hi there! I am a mom of 2 (17 and 8). My oldest was eager to drive and eager to purchase a car. With the guidance of her grandfather and a great job at DQ, She bought her very own Subaru Forester Sport (2019)." 

"She drives an hour to and from school each day as she goes to a charter school for performing arts and is thriving in her senior year - ready to embrace college at Slippery Rock, where she's recently committed. Last week, she called me with the call every mom dreads- she's been in an accident." 

"Mom, I was in an accident. A Ford F-250 pickup t-boned me."

"She was emotional but said she was ok. As I rushed there, I had no idea how bad it was. An F-250 t-boned her on her driver's side, right where she was sitting. The car was demolished." 

"The whole front end of the F-250 was on the road. Lucy crawled out of the car perfectly fine. Since the accident, I have found myself staring at these photos, and I can't understand how she's not only home with me, but not even hurt. I can't say enough about Subaru and their safety." 

"Your car saved my daughter's (and my) life. The gratitude for a well-built car can't be expressed. We will forever and always be a Subaru family!! THANK YOU!" 

Thank you, Grandpa. 

I can picture this seventeen-year-old calling her grandfather to express her gratitude for suggesting the Subaru Forester. He must have been aware of Subaru's safety reputation and the protection it would offer his granddaughter in case of an accident. 

What protected Julie's daughter?

The 2019 Subaru Forester has many safety features, but what protected Julie's 17-year-old daughter was Subaru's ring-shaped reinforcement frame. 

Starting in 2015, Subaru engineers improved the already effective ring-shaped reinforcement frame used in all Subaru vehicles. Subaru's ring-shaped reinforcement frame has been used for nearly two decades and has proven very effective. 

The 2019 Subaru Forester was enhanced to provide better protection in the structure, increasing cabin rigidity and absorbing impact energy from any direction. This design gives superior protection that enables all Subaru vehicles to achieve the highest safety scores by the IIHS year after year.

Julie's story is a powerful testament to the safety of Subaru models. Even at six years old, the Subaru Forester proved to be a remarkably safe vehicle, a fact that should reassure all potential Subaru owners and instill confidence in the safety of the vehicles. 

In 2019, the redesigned Subaru Forester was awarded the IIHS 2019 Top Safety Pick+ (TSP) rating when equipped with EyeSight, extending its streak as the longest-running TSP winner in its segment to 13 years (2007-2019).

Julie's daughter couldn't have picked a safer vehicle. The compact SUV, proved its worth when it protected her from the impact of the large Ford F-250 truck. It's kept her from serious injury, and she walked away. 

Julie shares, "While her first car is no longer an option, we eagerly anticipate her SECOND Subaru shopping experience. We have full confidence that it's the perfect vehicle for us. Thank you again."

Have you been in an accident in your Subaru?

I want to hear from Subaru owners who may have been in an accident while driving a Subaru. You can comment using the red 'Add new comment' link below. 

Check out another amazing story.

What happens when a 2014 Subaru Crosstrek slides off the road, flips three times, and hits a tree? Did the driver sustain life-threatening injuries? She should have but walked away instead. Here is Kenzi's incredible survival story. 

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Julie and Subaru