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Well that could have been MUCH worse
Short form: I was in a car accident last night on the way home from work. There's some damage to the car but it's driveable and I'm unscathed. I was stopped at a red light, the middle car of a line of three, when someone plowed into the back car in the line.
The plower's vehicle is clearly totaled and was towed. The guy behind me had a lot of damage - his back hatch and window were smashed in. I suggested that he get it towed but he wanted to drive home.
He was also one lucky bastid. He informed me that he had just put on his seat belt a few blocks back. Ironically, he put on his belt because he saw me driving the way I drive. I wasn't doing anything illegal but I also don't like to sit in pointless lines (baa!). So in some oddball way I probably saved this guy from serious injury. Hooray I'm a bad example? The guy also smokes (a lot) and refused medical examination and transport despite having a visible limp after the accident. Perhaps not the best decision-maker I've ever met.
The woman driving the car that caused the accident demonstrated some classic "in shock" behaviors. She was babbling, including foolishly admitting to all and sundry that she had been talking on the phone at the time of the accident. She appeared detached from reality, though she did apologize profusely to everyone. She then wandered away. She said she lived a few blocks from the accident site and apparently thought it was a good idea just to walk home while the policeman was sitting in his cruiser with everyone's license and reg, filling out the crash report. She had no visible injuries either, and also refused medical exam or transport. Her wandering off delayed things somewhat as the cops had to go pick her up and bring her back.
The cop eventually let us go with copies of the crash report and a verbal statement that the fourth driver was at fault and had been cited. I called my insurance company when I got home and filed an informational claim, but this AM I was able to see (and hear) damage to my car so I called and re-opened the claim. Liberty Mutual are pretty awesome - they immediately waived my deductible and are arranging for me to get an appraisal. If I have to give up the vehicle for repairs they are also going to waive any rental charges.
My recollection is that I was cool-headed through it. When the guy behind me was knocked into me, I put on the parking brake - he seems to have injured himself in part by jamming down the pedal brake while being rammed. I called 911 first and fumbled what town I was in, but otherwise managed to be coherent.
I then called Pygment and said (as best I remember it): "The first thing you need to know is that I'm OK. I think the car is OK, but I'm not going to make the movie. I've been in a car accident."
I know that's kind of an odd order to give information, but starting out with "Hi, I've been in an accident" can be panic-inducing and it's better not to panic the sweetie. She was very nice to me and made me tea and soup after I had to stand out in the cold for the hour it took the cop to write everything up and send us on our way.
When I called Liberty Mutual back they recorded my statement about the accident, including things like the road being familiar to me and the conditions at the time - dark, with normal streetlights and everyone had their headlights on; no rain and the road was dry and debris-free.
Next up, filling out the MASSDOT "Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report" which has to be done any time there's an accident that causes over $1000 in damages or someone was killed or injured. Annoying, but man that could have been much worse.
The plower's vehicle is clearly totaled and was towed. The guy behind me had a lot of damage - his back hatch and window were smashed in. I suggested that he get it towed but he wanted to drive home.
He was also one lucky bastid. He informed me that he had just put on his seat belt a few blocks back. Ironically, he put on his belt because he saw me driving the way I drive. I wasn't doing anything illegal but I also don't like to sit in pointless lines (baa!). So in some oddball way I probably saved this guy from serious injury. Hooray I'm a bad example? The guy also smokes (a lot) and refused medical examination and transport despite having a visible limp after the accident. Perhaps not the best decision-maker I've ever met.
The woman driving the car that caused the accident demonstrated some classic "in shock" behaviors. She was babbling, including foolishly admitting to all and sundry that she had been talking on the phone at the time of the accident. She appeared detached from reality, though she did apologize profusely to everyone. She then wandered away. She said she lived a few blocks from the accident site and apparently thought it was a good idea just to walk home while the policeman was sitting in his cruiser with everyone's license and reg, filling out the crash report. She had no visible injuries either, and also refused medical exam or transport. Her wandering off delayed things somewhat as the cops had to go pick her up and bring her back.
The cop eventually let us go with copies of the crash report and a verbal statement that the fourth driver was at fault and had been cited. I called my insurance company when I got home and filed an informational claim, but this AM I was able to see (and hear) damage to my car so I called and re-opened the claim. Liberty Mutual are pretty awesome - they immediately waived my deductible and are arranging for me to get an appraisal. If I have to give up the vehicle for repairs they are also going to waive any rental charges.
My recollection is that I was cool-headed through it. When the guy behind me was knocked into me, I put on the parking brake - he seems to have injured himself in part by jamming down the pedal brake while being rammed. I called 911 first and fumbled what town I was in, but otherwise managed to be coherent.
I then called Pygment and said (as best I remember it): "The first thing you need to know is that I'm OK. I think the car is OK, but I'm not going to make the movie. I've been in a car accident."
I know that's kind of an odd order to give information, but starting out with "Hi, I've been in an accident" can be panic-inducing and it's better not to panic the sweetie. She was very nice to me and made me tea and soup after I had to stand out in the cold for the hour it took the cop to write everything up and send us on our way.
When I called Liberty Mutual back they recorded my statement about the accident, including things like the road being familiar to me and the conditions at the time - dark, with normal streetlights and everyone had their headlights on; no rain and the road was dry and debris-free.
Next up, filling out the MASSDOT "Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report" which has to be done any time there's an accident that causes over $1000 in damages or someone was killed or injured. Annoying, but man that could have been much worse.