Some ding-dong in her honking big Lexus SUV ran a red light and totaled my little Toyota Corolla.
Fortunately, she hit me at the front of the car where the engine is/was (since the engine isn't totally connected to the car anymore.) If she'd hit me on my door... I'd be in bad trouble.
The car was old, but I was hoping to get two more years out of it and it would die a natural death, rather than be taken out in an accident.
I thought of you guys and the "ironic thread"... I walked into a gas station (for change for the pay phone) and "So you've had a bad day" was playing on the radio. Pay phone wasn't working... so went next door to AT&T store... to borrow a phone.
AT&T guy said, "Tell me she wasn't talking on her cell phone!" Guy in the AT&T store gave me a ride home.
(Feel like I'm in a movie or something.)
I don't know if she was on cell phone... It never occurred to me to ask because I only talk on the phone in the car if I am sitting in traffic that isn't moving. I don't drive down 4 lane streets at 35 mph yakking on the phone... MY cell phone has been in Jamie's pants in the laundry for the past two weeks and I didn't even have it with me... which was sort of inconveinent... but it worked out fine.
The police came and did a report but since neither of us were hurt... they just did an "accidents will happen and contact your insurance co." kind of report and I don't know if she even got a ticket or whatever. She wasn't drunk... just driving while stupid.
Except for being sort of rattled and a small bump on head... and I used to be an EMT and know the signs of concussion to look for...
One good thing about eating healthy… lots of frozen vegs to choose from… putting a bag of shelled edamame on my head and going to lay down.
Denise
Posts: 8691 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
So glad you were not hurt worse than you were. That is the most important thing.
Now you get to have fun with insurance. Oh boy! It really irked me when I received only $3000.00 for my completely paid for and excellent condition van after the tornado. At least a Toyota holds its value a little longer than most other vehicles. Hopefully you will do better than I did.
stephanie
"Succeed! Because you have the opportunity to do so." - KD
Posts: 708 | Location: nashville | Registered: March 11, 2004
Originally posted by GoingSkiing: I am also very fortunate, because I've paid cash for cars since my very first one. We basically buy a car and usually keep it for 10-12 years and save up and buy another. It was getting time to buy another car... but this one only needed gas and oil changes or tires and VERY, VERY routine maint. and as long as it was running and needing like $400 of maint a year... I was willing to keep driving it.
That's really sensible. I haven't ever paid cash for a car, but that's my goal someday. My current car is a 1999 Honda Accord that I bought new with a 5-year loan, and I hope to keep driving it for a long time. No reason to give up a perfectly nice car as long as it's running well. We bought my husband's 2002 Civic gently used and hope to have that for a long time too -- so maybe we'll be able to pay cash for the next one.
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
I worked in auto insurance for a time--if you have any questions that your company doesn't answer adequately, let me know. And take care of you--like everyone else said, I bet you'll feel it today.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
One tiny silver cloud... it is going to be hard to stop ansering the phone and saying, "I was in a bad accident and my car was completely totalled two hours ago. Are you my insurance company?... OK, then I don't want to talk to you. Bye."
Denise
Posts: 8691 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Thanks for all of the good wishes. I appreciate it. I'm mostly just really glad she didn't hit me on my door and that the engine took the impact.
I've been on the phone with insurance most of the evening. This my first dealing with a car insurance company and so far the two people I've dealt with from my company have been GREAT! I don't know them. They are just "people" from the 1-800- claim line.
quote:
Originally posted by TriGirl: Can't believe the driver wasn't cited for running a red light and totaling your car.
I asked the insurance person about that and she said that since the police were not there and didn't see it... they probably wouldn't cite her... but the witness reports and the police opinions of what happened would go into a report.
I don't know if we are "no-fault"... I thought that was for divorces.
Just very glad that she didn't hit my door and that we are both ok.
I am also very fortunate, because I've paid cash for cars since my very first one. We basically buy a car and usually keep it for 10-12 years and save up and buy another. It was getting time to buy another car... but this one only needed gas and oil changes or tires and VERY, VERY routine maint. and as long as it was running and needing like $400 of maint a year... I was willing to keep driving it.
Denise
Posts: 8691 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Even if she is cited, you will morn the loss of your vehicle - especially when it's time to start having payments again. Insurance doesn't pay for the inconvenience.
Denise, SO glad you were not hurt, that could've been really bad!! Take care of yourself over the next few days, as you know, you will probably feel it more over the next couple days more than you do right now. Big SUV's like that scare the crap out of me because little cars(I have a VW Jetta) don't stand a chance next to those monsters. Take care!! Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
So glad to hear you're OK. Can't believe the driver wasn't cited for running a red light and totaling your car. At least since you have the police report, your insurance company will get the money out of her (or is your state a no-fault one?)
----------- Jen
Posts: 2868 | Location: Ohio | Registered: March 11, 2004
Oh my goodness, Denise!!!!! I hate hearing these kinds of stories...so scary. How sweet of the AT&T guy to give you a lift home. Sorry to hear about the Corolla...what a bummer.
Please take care of yourself. If it was enough of an impact to do that much damage to the car, chances are you may be feeling it tomorrow.
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7313 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Oh, geeze! Sorry that happened. I am glad you are ok and that you got a ride home. (Sometimes support comes from the stangest of places- like an ATT store.)
Take care. You might be sore tomorrow as it often takes 24-48 hours to feel it.
