I was on the highway last night, driving home from the animal hospital, when I saw the light of road flares in the right lane. I was fortunately in the middle lane and didn’t have to get over, they had the lane closed due to a traffic accident.
The car in front of me had slowed down as we went past and we were going along at a bit below regular highway speed.
About a half-mile down the road, the car in front of me goes to a screeching halt – from 55 to 0 in a moment. I hit my brakes too and screech to halt right behind them. I got stopped in time before I hit them, but the truck behind me couldn’t stop and ran into my car.
Which then threw my car into the car in front.
I got tossed around a bit – the seatbelt locked and the headrest did it’s job. The airbag didn’t deploy, but my glasses were knocked off and I was… shaken.
I sat there for a minute, my adrenaline flooding my body as I tried to assess what was going on. I didn’t seem to be hurt, but knew I needed some help.
I got out my phone and called 911, reported the incident and location. The dispatch operator told me he was sending help.
And I waited. We three vehicles were in the middle lane of the highway and it was far too dangerous to try and get out. I had no idea if I was really okay and how badly damaged my car was.
I got the car in park, hazards on, windows down, and then turned it off.
Then I called Jim and let him know I was okay, but that I’d been in an accident. He and I were supposed to get together for a late dinner after my trip to the animal hospital – and I was going to be even later.
The battery on my cell was starting to fade and I told him I’d call him as soon as I could. I switched to airplane mode to save the charge and waited.
The police arrived and got traffic routed away. An officer directed us to drive over to the berm and to my surprise my car started right up and was easily drivable. Once we were out of the way, the officer came back over and got my license and proof of insurance. She asked what had happened and I told her – she then nodded and said the car in front of me had told her the same thing.
And so I waited awhile.
She came back over and gave me back my cards and that accident reports. She said that I would not be cited, but that the truck behind me would be. Another officer came up and asked me if I needed a tow or if I thought my car was drivable. I said I didn’t know – I hadn’t gotten out to see the damages. He checked to make sure it was safe for me to get out and then we looked things over with his flashlight.
And… it was amazingly okay. I couldn’t see any damage to the front and even in the light today there isn’t even a scratch. The rear bumper is scraped up a bit and popped partly loose on the right side. And that seems to be about it.
The officer and I looked at the bumper and then at the Ford F150 that had hit me – the front of the truck was stove in where it had hit. It was literally “You think this is bad? You should see the other guy.”
I got back in my car and the office told me to go ahead and start it up – and that he’d tell me when it was safe to pull out into traffic. I did so and quickly got up to speed.
And then kinda lost it. I was shaking and sobbing on the way home but made it home safe. I turned off airplane mode and sent Jim a quick text – then plugged in my phone to start charging.
He came over and gave me a hug while the last of the adrenaline washed out of my system. He took me to get something to eat – I was 8 hours since my prior meal – and then over to his place.
I gave my Dad a quick call to let him know and then called State Farm. The claims clerk was very kind and pretty excited about the amount of information I was able to give him from the accident forms. At least I made someone’s day.
We got me set up with an auto body shop and a car rental when I need it. I’ll take my car in on Monday and get it worked on – in the meantime, it’s fine to drive when I’m able to pick up my cat.
So:
- I’ve got a headache and a little soreness in my upper back. No vision problems or pain anywhere else. I think I’m okay, but I’m going to take it easy.
- I apparently panic pretty effectively. I was very calm with 911. While I was waiting for the police I loaded up the contents of my glove box into the cat carrier in case I had to leave my car – and had my license and insurance card ready. When I got home, I parked in the street in case my car needed to be towed.
- Nobody at the scene of the accident asked me if I was okay. While I appreciate the efficiency in which the officers handled everything, a simple “Are you okay?” would have done wonders for me.
I’m okay and I’m lucky. But I’m not going to call it a good day.