Just completely lost control of my car

[Shock]

Earlier, I went for a quick drive before bed, down some unknown twisty road going through the countryside. Went around this one downhill bend and realised it got a lot sharper.

Must have been doing about 40 when I saw it get sharper - knew this was too fast so decided to let the car stray over onto the other side a bit (road was clear) to avoid any sharp steering, and then it went:

The back end came round and I went sideways down the middle of this road, tyres screeching and me thinking oh ****. Really thought I was about to right the car off. After a few seconds of this sideways action I managed to stop the car and ended up doing a 180, facing where I'd just came from.

How the hell I stayed on the road I’ll never know because I was sliding sideways, at speed for a good few seconds. Luckily there were no other road users about.

That’s the first time I’ve completely, unintentionally lost control in over a year and what a trouser filler it was too.

I don’t know what sent the car spinning - didn’t break, steer aggressively or take my foot of the gas quickly. Must have been me going to fast and the skinny tyres not wanting to grip.

Found out how accidents happen tonight, and been very lucky not to go over a kerb and through a bush or hit another car.

 

[Shock]

Cheers for the advice. It was a left turn going down a hill. I'm not sure if the car understeered slightly onto the other side the road, then I may have let of a bit to correct it sending the back out. But I'm pretty sure I didn't let off at all because I wasn't worried until the arse came round.

The road conditions were fine, might have been slightly damp but that's about it.

I'm not sure if this could have been a problem, but I'm one of my suspension arms (trailing arm?) has gone on the back, which I'm waiting to get fixed. Apart from making a noise over bumps I wasn't aware it too serious?

Will also check tyre pressures.

 

[Shock]

No-one else notice that?

More driving lessons needed I think!

Sorry but how on earth did you work that out?

Yes I am only 18, with a years claim-free driving. I Have one big mishap and you say I need more lessons? Since when did instructors teach how to combat oversteer?

/Defensive mode off.

As it happens I think I've found the problem:

I'm not sure if this could have been a problem, but I'm one of my suspension arms (trailing arm?) has gone on the back, which I'm waiting to get fixed. Apart from making a noise over bumps I wasn't aware it too serious?

A quick browse on Puntosports has lead me to:

how do you know when the lower arms of the suspension have gone

on the rear, your car will try and go sideways, it will crab, it will tramline at highspeeds (well anything over 40mph will scare the living crp out of you), it will knock and clatter over potholes and speedbumps.

That could explain it. :/