Yesterday was a significant day in my 23 years of driving: my first major car accident.
I was in my usual commute home from work, a 25 minute trek on side streets to avoid late afternoon rush hour on the highways. Traffic was reasonable until I was about 5 miles away from my house, on the intersection of Imperial Highway and La Palma. I noticed higher than usual traffic, people were not moving fast, and most of the lanes were packed. I turned right into La Palma, a 3 lane street. The lane near the shoulder was clear, so I took it and moved along side of the other cars on my left at 20-30 MPH. Ahead of me, I could see free and clear for 300 yards until the next traffic light.
All of the sudden, out of nowhere, a car jumped in front of me from the left. He was so close; the brakes couldn’t help me to stop in time. I slammed into his front-right side. There was a loud “thump” and I could see the hood of my car buckled, front windshield cracked, and airbags deployed. My car ricocheted to the right towards an unfinished sidewalk.
It was the most surreal 2 seconds of my life.
Afterward, as I perched there on the side, I could see smoke from the wrecked engine, and smelled the burning metal. The car’s horn wouldn’t stop blaring. I noticed my arm was scraped and bleeding. My right pinky finger was really sore and I couldn’t move it. My personal belongings were all over the floor.
I managed to walk away from the accident, without any major injury. The other guy was unharmed, too. We were all a bit shook up, that’s about it. Thank God for that.
Then it was just a matter of procedure. The cops showed up within 10 minutes. They took our statements, direct traffic, and called the tow trucks. The paramedics also showed up, but all they did was wrap my scarred arm with bandages. One cop gave me all the information I need for my insurance company, and explained my options. The tow trucks picked up our wrecked cars and took them away.
Throughout this ordeal, I must thank the good Samaritans who stopped and guided us in making sense of this mess. They were there to serve as witnesses too. One of them was kind enough to drive me home. Thanks, Julian.
Today I’m going to drop by the clinic and have my bruises checked. I’ve started to call my insurance company and sort out the claims. Now we have to negotiate for a settlement and shop for a new car. Looks like the next couple of weeks are going to be hectic, but interesting, days.
[Update] Thank you all for the well wishes sent from Twitter, IM, and e-mail!
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15 responses so far ↓
1
Matt
// Jul 25, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Glad to hear your OK Rudy, cars and things can be replaced. Looking at the info you’ve posted it definitely sounds like the other car was at fault. Hopefully everything goes smooth with the insurance companies.
It’s refreshing to hear that some nice people (Julian) do still exisit in this hectic world.
Matt’s last blog post..Call of Duty 4
2
Lin
// Jul 25, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hiya Rudy, sorry to hear about the wrecked car, and I really hope you’re alright. Are you now going to be doing some car shopping too like I did? I finally got myself my sports car and I decided on a Corvette! And no….I’m not playing Prince’s song Little Red Corvette in the car. hehe
Lin’s last blog post..What I Did On My Summer Staycation
3
Road Accident
// Jul 26, 2008 at 12:10 pm
New Yorkers have the longest commute, at 76.8 minutes , while other large cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Boston also rank high.
Road Accident’s last blog post..By: Burner Drive
4
rudyamid
// Jul 26, 2008 at 2:00 pm
@Matt:
Thanks, man. As for the replacement car, looks like it’s going to be a tough decision what to get. I want another hybrid but the price is a rip-off. Want to get a used regular car but they’re not much cheaper than new. So I’ll see what the insurance gives me.
@Lin:
I’m alright, just a bruised arm and ego.
I am doing car shopping and have thought about getting a sports car. But my wife has reminded me that I may have to drive my daughter to school with my new car, so it has to be convenient for that too. I’ll definitely blog about that shopping experience. I really hate going to car dealerships.
5
Lin Burress
// Jul 26, 2008 at 2:19 pm
We actually did the majority of our car shopping online, and only when we found specific cars we were interested in did we go to the dealership. The moment they told us the car was “no longer available” (bait and switch?) we left.
Doing the car shopping online has numerous advantages like not having to deal with the hard sell nonsense that makes me so mad. Good luck in finding a great car for yourself, and one that won’t tick off the wife.
Oh and by the way, “you’d look so good in a sports car!” LOL!!! How many times I’ve heard that one. LOL
Lin Burress’s last blog post..What I Did On My Summer Staycation
6
rudyamid
// Jul 27, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Hi Lin,
Hehehe… if they pull that “It feels fast.” line on me, I’ll be sure to laugh maniacally and walk out. We also do our shopping online first. We even get dealer quotes together, so when we’re at the dealership, we’ll just tell them to do (much) better.
7
fragileheart
// Jul 27, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I’m really glad to know that you’re ok, and it doesn’t sound like you blame the other guy very much either which is very refreshing. I hope the car shopping is going smoothly for ya.
fragileheart’s last blog post..Lest I fall on my ass while dreaming
8
rudyamid
// Jul 27, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Hi Reggy,
He just need to face the consequence and pay up for the damages.
9
Periapex
// Jul 28, 2008 at 9:21 am
Glad you’re ok. You never got your car battery thing fixed did you?
Periapex’s last blog post..Critters Writers? Workshop.
10
rudyamid
// Jul 28, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hey Peri,
Nope. I wasn’t planning on fixing the battery either until I’ve written to Honda Corporate for possible reimbursement. Looks like I don’t have to do that any more.
11
fragileheart
// Jul 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Rudy, that’s a very mature way of looking at it
So is the whole battery thing the blessing in disguise here? (apart from the fact that you weren’t badly hurt of course).
fragileheart’s last blog post..Lest I fall on my ass while dreaming
13
rudyamid
// Jul 28, 2008 at 10:22 pm
My arm still hurts. Have you seen the scars? I’m still sore too, but not as much as last Sunday.
14
cheap logo design
// Aug 6, 2008 at 1:32 pm
this is usual problem with the driver. WHen we are good driver but other don’t, the result will be same. We must take care on ourself and OTHER too.
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