It was a hot afternoon. The air was so humid it was almost too stifling to breathe. I had been up since 6:30 am helping my mother pack and move the contents of her office. And all I wanted to do was enjoy a Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger, have an ice-cold beer, and go to sleep. However, my 15 year old son really, really, really, really, really, really wanted to go out to the movies with his friends. So, after several thousand text messages, and a lot of convincing on his part, I begrudgingly agreed. I picked him up from home and off we went.
It’s a drive I am very familiar with and it can’t be more than 4 miles from my house. Because as most of you may already know, I usually won’t drive outside of my ‘comfort zone’. So there I was minding my own business, when I had to stop on the highway. I was waiting for the oncoming traffic to slow down so that I could make a left turn into the housing development. When suddenly, out of nowhere…
CRASH. BOOM. SKID.
A 17 year old girl, with hot-pink hair, obviously didn’t see my car, and she drove directly into my driver side door. And then her car scraped down the length of my car. The force of her car, shoved my car off the road completely. She broke BOTH the front and back axles of my car, and flattened all of my tires.
Still in shock, I quietly turned to my son to ask him if he was okay. And thankfully, he was. And thankfully so was I. After I kicked open my driver side door to get out of my crushed vehicle, I raced over to the other car to find that NO ONE had been injured at all. And that, my friends, was nothing short of a miracle.
When the police arrived, they took everyone’s statement, including those who witnessed the accident and had stayed behind to ensure everyone’s safety. According to the police report, I did absolutely nothing wrong. And I didn’t. I didn’t get any tickets at all. The other girl was 100% at fault. And she received a slew of tickets. Apparently, this was her 3rd of 4th accident within the last six months. Personally, I think she should really lose her license. Clearly she can’t drive.
After everything was said and done, both of our cars had to be towed away. My son was picked up by one of his friends parents, and he still managed to get to the movies on time. I was driven back home by one of friends as well.
I was perfectly calm, and perfectly fine, until I saw my father. I immediately broke down and started to cry. The whole accident was so terrifying. And even though I know things could have been A LOT worse, that didn’t stop me from being shaken to my core.
And then I thanked my lucky stars.
So now it looks like I will be getting a “new car” over the next few weeks, once the Insurance Company totals my out my Hyundai. And by “new car” I really mean, I’ll probably end up driving Poppa Sye’s ‘Senior Gold’ 1920 Mercury LeSabre.
YAY!
So tell me people, have you ever been in a car accident? And if so, what happened?
So sad, so scary.
Linda R,
“Accidents sometimes leave their mark even when no one is injured.”
You got THAT right.
I’m OKAY – but I’m NOT okay.
And, I’m in that ‘flinching stage’ right now.
And… It’s awful.
I’ve been in several as a passenger, and had two as a driver. One I skidded on a hot, slippery, just barely rained on road and clipped the corner of someone’s car. My fault, I guess, ironically I was trying to stop behind someone who was turning left instead of passing them illegally on the right and if I had just passed them I wouldn’t have had an accident.
The other one, someone drifted across the center line and forced me onto the shoulder of a highway bypass. I didn’t realize the shoulder was all degraded and the road deck was a good six inches higher than the gravel so when I pulled back on it yanked the tire off the rim, I lost control of the car, and ended up t-boning the center guardrail. No one else was involved. Car totalled but I walked away; and promptly bought another Saturn. I’ll never forget looking out the driver side window after my car finally came to a stop against the guardrail and seeing four or five strangers who had pulled over running full tilt down the highway toward my car. One of them held my hand until the ambulance came.
I’ve been to so many car accidents as an EMT I can’t even tell you how many. Drunk, not drunk, fatal, not fatal, cars, trucks, motorcycles, truth tellers, liars, a man who made me promise none of us were going to ‘give him a catheter’, a boy who looked up at me with tear filled eyes and said, “Its my birthday,” And I said, “Its my birthday too,” because it was.
Holy. Shit. Shelia. Holy. Shit.
Scary!!!! I’m glad you and your son didn’t get injured! I’ve been in one wreck and it was in 4th grade. My mom was driving me to piano lessons in town and this person ran a stop sign and hit our van on the passenger side. The van tipped over and spun, leaving my mom on the ground side and me hanging from my seatbelt in the air like a monkey. We were okay, though I had blacked out for a few seconds. Stupid people not paying attention…. I can’t believe she’s had so many wrecks!
Oh, that sounds absolutely horrifying! I’m SO glad you both came out of it okay. You’re right. It could have been so much worse. But regardless, being in a car accident is scary! I’ve been in a couple of minor fender benders over the years and both times I ended up shaking uncontrollably. I think you knew that it was okay to let go when you saw your daddy and that he would comfort you. I hope you’re feeling better emotionally and I’m sure you’re both feeling a little achy and bruised and I hope all that heals up quickly too.
I am SO glad you’re okay! Were you sore the day after, or the day after that?
That girl really, really, really, really should color her hair a normal color. Then she would drive better.
Hey, know what? When the kids were little and I would tell them stories, I always included the phrase “minding my own business.” It’s a traditional family phrase! It’s fun to see you use it! 🙂
Phew! Glad everyone’s ok!
Wow, Jules. That must have been awful!
So glad no one was hurt. Geez!
Thank you, Terri.
Yeah, I knew I had to ‘keep it together’ for my son’s benefit.
But once it was safe, I lost it.
Accidents are so scary, and unsettling.
I’m still a little jumpy.
Ferd,
Yes, my neck & back have been stiff. Not bad. Just a little uncomfortable.
HA! I’m not sure the color of her hair has anything to do with her sucking
as a driver! And, yes, I love that phrase “minding my own business.”
Me too, Mike! Me too.
Accidents always shake you up for a while. You see how you could so easily have been killed or injured and it unnerves you. So glad you were all OK.
I remember my first accident as if it were yesterday…
…but I’ll save it for a blog post sometime within the next week. Lots of irony involved, though. Stay tuned.
I’m glad you and your son were okay…
…just noticed wife commented too. Shieldmaiden96, I thought she would, and she did.
OMG that sounds just terrifying! So glad you and your son are OK!
Thankfully I have never been in an accident, it’s one of my biggest fears along with fire 🙁
OMG that sounds just terrifying! So glad you and your son are OK!
Thankfully I have never been in an accident, it’s one of my biggest fears along with fire 🙁
I’ve been in multiple accidents usually as the passenger. It is always so frightening. I’m very happy that you both were fine. That chick really needs to lose her license. How long before she actually kills someone? I had a friend who was a horrible driver. We usually drove him around. He died in his early twenties in a lone car accident. Some people shouldn’t drive ever that is what mass transportation is for.
Scary!! So glad everyone is okay, hope you’re able to sort a new vehicle soon.
I am so glad that neither you nor your son is hurt and that both of you are safe. That was rash of her and I hope she gets her license revoked. Big hug and a kiss for you, too precious for anything bad to happen to u.
I was recently in an accident, a couple of weeks ago. http://awakeanddreaming.org/?p=22069
Holy crap. I’m very glad to hear that you guys were ok. That’s some scary stuff. All because some stupid teenager had her head up her ass and wasn’t paying attention to what she was doing. One wreck, I can see… things happen. But three or four? You’ve got to be kidding.
I’ve only been in one small fender bender. It was when I was in high school. I was driving through an intersection, and a girl from my school pulled out into the side of me, not paying attention. Minor damage, but even that was scary. I can’t imagine being in a wreck like yours.
Thanks, Babs!
I love your wife. She makes me laugh on Facebook!
You’re lucky, LadyBanana.
And, apparently, so was I.
Exactly, Junebug. Exactly.
And, oh no. I’m sorry to hear about your friend.
That’s truly awful.
Thank you.
Oh snap, Roshan. How did I miss that blog post?
It was really scary. And I just hope she loses her license.
Wow, that sounds scary, Meleah! I’ve had several car accidents in my day when I lived in Peoria, but since I live in Manhattan I don’t have a car. I’m so glad that no one got hurt!
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Me too, Marty. Me too.
Oh my goodness, when was this? I was not aware when this happened. Not sure if you posted it on FB but I don’t recall seeing this, even though I stalk you on a daily basis, my dear. I’m glad nothing happened to you both.
Last week, Sergio!
Pay attention!
It was posted on FB seconds after it actually happened.
Ahahahahha.
Where’s the photo of the car wrecking girl? It’s helpful to know what they look like so one can give them space! Good to read you are both OK!
Glad you and your son are okay meleah. There are few things more traumatic than an accident, unless it’s blogging.
No photos of the car. It’s too upsetting.
Thank you, Kelly.
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Oh wow! Glad to hear no one got seriously hurt. You have handled it very well. I would have freaked out especially if I were with my son.
Well, I did freak out. AFTER I got back home. Safe.