By 9 am, I'd already been in a car accident.
I had just dropped my kids off at school and was returning home on a perfectly clear day on dry pavement. I slowed down to take a right turn onto my road, and suddenly, the car behind me speeded up to pass me on the right by driving onto the shoulder of the road. Unfortunately, he didn't have room to pass because this pesky street sign got in the way, so he scraped one side of his car on the street sign and rammed his front bumper into the passenger side of my car. It was bizarre to have a whole car suddenly come up on the lawn next to me, almost as if he was deliberately trying to prevent me from turning.
We both got out of our cars to assess the damage. The driver was a younger man who seemed shaken up by the whole incident, and he kept saying, "Are you okay?"
I felt pretty calm because I'd been going so slow when the accident happened, and I'd barely felt his car hit. I was not hurt at all, and I could see that he wasn't either. I asked him, "How did that happen?"
He said, "I saw your directional, but somehow thought you were taking a left turn and I could squeeze by on the right." Um, yeah. Good plan.
He gave me his insurance information, and he kept saying, "I'm glad you're okay. I'm glad you didn't get hurt."
Since I had my camera in the pocket of my pants, I took it out and snapped pictures of his vehicle, his license plate, and the tire tracks on the grass that showed the path of his vehicle. I well know how stories can change once claims adjusters start asking questions. He watched me curiously.
"You've got a camera?"
I nodded. "Yeah. I'm a blogger."
He looked at me again, and I could see he was trying to figure out what that meant.
Finally, he shrugged and reached out to shake my hand. "Well, nice to meet you."
30 comments:
Oh wow! Your calm amazes me. I'm sure I would have been a mess! I am so glad that you were unharmed and I hope that everything with the insurance goes smoothly.
Yikes! Sounds like everyone's okay, whew. Still scary, though!
Glad that your okay and that you had the presence of mind to remember the camera.
How bizarre.
So glad everyone was okay. A good reason to have a camera with you!
What kind of stupidity does it take to do that?
Oh, good god. Nice to start the day with teh trauma triggers, eh? Thinking about you, jo(e). And glad that you're okay.
Glad everyone is ok. My golf was t-boned by a 98 year old lady in a monster caddie. She ran a red at about 15mph. I saw her coming, so it was like the whole accident was in slow motion. Everyone was fine. She was a sweet lady who kept talking and talking. I was trying so hard to keep my cool even though I was fuming. (I was not about to yell or say anything mean to her!) When the officer was finished writing the reports, he complimented us for being the most polite accident exchange he had ever seen. Then I got in my car and screamed!
Ummm, maybe there's a reason that guy shouldn't be driving if he can't tell right from left? Hope it all works out for the best.
Wow. I am glad you are OK.
And the lawyer in me is glad you had a camera handy!
What a dreadful way to start the day! I'm glad you're okay!
I hate people passing by going on the shoulder anyway, but really, if you can't tell which way the turn signal is going, that's a problem!
I would've loved to see his face as he tried to figure out what you meant when you said you were a blogger, though :)
"I'm a blogger" means "your fanny is toast if you lie about this, sonny." Heh. Although I think it's the camera that probably had him the most freaked. Double-heh.
What a moron. I'm glad you're okay.
He doesn't sound very bright, that's for sure. So glad you're okay.
We had a similar experience this morning (two cars, a crash, no larger harm done, other driver at fault and clueless), minus the camera. Is this catching?
I am so glad you're okay. Sounds like he's in need of a kindergarten refresher class. Left from right. Wait your turn.
Glad you're ok. And glad you had the presence of mind to use your camera!
Blimey - not a good start to the day. Glad you're ok and well done for having the presence of mind to take some pics. I should think that shook him up a bit more (deservedly the stupid boy).
I am confused... Unless your car blinker light is in the MIDDLE of the back of your car... how did he know know which direction < left or > right you were going in? or maybe your car, when you put on the right turn signal actually blinks on the left side of your car???
Really Jo(e) I think you should check your car to make sure it is blinking properly!
Glad you are ok. Keep blogging and putting on great pictures.
Sorry the hear you were hit.
Glad to hear you OK.
Confused as to the thinking of the younger male mind?
Pictures great idea we've told our daughter to use her camera phone if something like this happens.
Hugs
S
So relieved you weren't hurt.
Oh, bummer about the car accident! I'm glad that no one was hurt (and impressed that you had a camera with you and thought to take those useful photos). Here's to quick and complete car-healing.
Glad you're just fine.
I have to point out that not just anyone could turn a car accident into such a dandy post opening sentence, too.
ohdeargawdinheaven.
So glad you're okay!
Glad you're OK.
I suspect you were more shaken up than you let on.
After all, you didn't ask him to pose nude...
Tie-dye brother-in-law: Good point! I can't believe I missed that opportunity ....
whaaat? Pass on the right shoulder, over grass into a street sign to beat you the turn?
A right turn at that?
Revoke his license - now - before he kills somebody
Glad to hear you are okay, and had the presence of mind to take pictures. I would've been too shaken up to do that, I suspect.
Glad you're alright! Good for you to take pictures!
Sounds like his Driver's Ed was a crash course.
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