WHACK!

That is exactly what my car accident sounded like.

I was driving along, minding my own business (and by business I mean I had just finished a call to my friend Cher) and out of nowhere there was a car RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.  It was a dark "countryesque" road and the car ahead of me had stopped to make a left turn.  I just remember thinking, "OH"....that's it.  A decent curse word didn't even come to mind.

I hit my brakes. 

I hit the car. 

The air bags deployed and I remember thinking as my truck spun, " I hope nobody is coming the other way because they will t-bone me." When my car finally stopped I somehow drove it to the side of the road. Interestingly, air bags have a powder in them that smells weird (probably from being stored in a messy car for two years).

The car I hit was actually a truck, a Ford Explorer driven by a nineteen year old.  He had pulled to the side of the road as well and immediately jumped out.  He was talking on his phone behind his truck bathed in the light of my headlights. I could see that my hood was bent up pretty badly.

A good samaritan was immediately at my car window.  "Are you okay?"

"yeah, I'm fine."

Then the nineteen year old  was suddenly standing at my window too. 

"Are you okay?"  He was so worried about ME, the idiot who had just rear-ended him.  And as he was standing there showing concern for said idiot, his left eye was swelling from where HE had hit his steering wheel. As I would later learn, from a nice police officer, your airbags don't deploy when you are hit from behind.

The on-star lady was asking me about injuries and I was explaining that the kid had a serious cut above his left eye and she was saying that emergency services were on the way. 

An ambulance, two police cars, a fire truck all converged to make sure we were okay.  They put both the nineteen year old and me in the back of the ambulance to get us checked out.  I remember thinking as they asked him medical questions that his HIPAA privacy rights were probably being violated but (and this shows I was probably in shock) I didn't say anything.

The police officers asked if there was anyone I could call.  I thought this might be too much for anyone (including the wasband) to handle so I said, "no".   He clearly felt sorry for me and agreed to drive me home.

He had stuff in the front seat of his cruiser so I had to sit in the back (a place designed for people in hand cuffs, ahem).  The entire back seat was sheet metal of some kind, I imagine it's easy to clean and briefly thought it might be a good idea for my next car.  He explained that the shape of the seat would actually be more comfortable if I was in handcuffs because there was a cut-out in the back for that configuration.  There were so many smart alec responses that I could have shot at him about that ... but again said nothing.

He let me out at my house and sat in his cruiser outside filling out paperwork.  I wondered what the neighbors must have thought. 

He knocked on the door a half hour later and gave me a ticket for "failure to reduce speed".  I thanked him and then he was gone.

The next day was full of calls to insurance (I use Travelers and they are AWESOME) and the tow company and the repair shop.  But that night as I got ready for bed it did not seem possible that all that had just occurred.

Out of nowhere.  Whack.

Comments

[Sandra]

Dad told me that when he talked to you you also said that the 19 year old's father showed up and prayed over you. Sounds like God had His hand in this too! I'm so glad it wasn't any worse. Love, Mom

[Viki]

I'm so glad you and the kid were all right. Thank goodness.

[Fat Bridesmaid]

Dude that blows! So glad you're okay though!

[ElleBee]

So glad you're okay! I'm with your mom, sounds like God was right there with you! :)

[The Eastsider]

I am so glad you are o.k. and the other driver. If you need anything let me know.

[Chrissy Witt]

Oh my goodness! Glad your OK! Sounds like that 19 year old was raised pretty well!

[New Diva]

Holy Cow Lady! I am glad you are o.k. Maybe you should ease up on the excitement in your life a smidge...just a thought. :) Again, so very glad you and the young man are o.k.

[invisible neighbor]

I'll chime in with everyone else with thanks that you are ok. Please call me if you or the girls need rides anywhere. We are at your service.

Invisible Neighbor

[Rachel Stoneham]

That was really WHACK and a bit painful somehow. I'm just glad that you're safe. How did the insurance companies know that you've got into an accident? Well, you must be more careful the next time you hit the road. Accidents can happen anywhere.

[Tyra Shortino]

I also hear that word sometimes, but not at all in the context of accidents. Well indeed, that was most shocking! How are you now? You gotta be careful next time you drive.