As has been announced on our friends only lists and I’ll now go public with the news.
Today at 1:05pm my car was hit by a speeding, uninsured kid.
There are now lots of photographs that I took while waiting for AAA.
It goes down like this, I was crossing the Interurban Highway in Tuckwilla. This is effectively a 3 lane road with extra turning lane that people seem to speed on. It is directly off 405 in Seattle right near the Airport.
I was across the street from my interview at a gas station. Filled up the tank and was crossing the street. Now the cross was more of a slight jog. The entrance was about half a car length up the road from the exit to the gas station.
I’d have to head across the street with about a 5 degree slant to the left. I wouldn’t even be able to straighten up in the turning lane. I checked right then left and the road was clear, so I entered the road, hit the yellow line entering the turn lane and looked right again, there was now a car visible about 1/4 to 1/2 mile coming towards me. I continued driving (about 10 mph to cross the road), I looked again and realized he’d already closed to about 1/4 of the distance there was. The car must have been doing 70+. Realizing my predicament, all I could do was floor it and hope that I was across the road and he’d slow down enough to let me thru.
The car approaching never sounded like it slowed. I don’t know if it was my imagination, but it sounded like he sped up. Then I felt it. I closed my eyes. The car spun. I don’t know which way. I remember laying to my right side held by my seat belt for a moment. I was in shock. This isn’t happening. This can’t be happening. An older man came to my window. I realized that I must look like I’m dead because I let myself be slumped to the side with my eyes closed. I didn’t want to move. But knowing how I must look, I figured it was best to try to compose myself to wave to him and let him know I wasn’t seriously injured. At least, I think I wasn’t seriously injured.
By the time I was sitting up in my seat there was a cop on the scene and one more pulling up. License, registration… couldn’t find my damned insurance card. I went from shocked, to scared, to all but crying on my dashboard. As people came by I’m asking, did anyone else see him? How fast was he going? What happened? I was quite disoriented for the first few minutes. They asked if I wanted someone to check me out.
Within about 5 minutes we’re up to 3 police (1 state who’d witnessed and 2 local) and an firetruck/emt. The EMT asked how I was. I hadn’t stood up or gotten out of the car. I explained that more than anything I’d gone thru shock and upset and was pissed. He was amused; I knew what he was asking. I explained that I felt some soreness in my back, but felt okay. He asked if I wanted to go to the hospital. I explained, actually I’m here for a job interview.
In the meantime I got a look at the other driver. The kid looked about 20 while he puffed a cigarette. He got out of the car with his girlfriend. The car was one of those really cheap cars that looked about 5-8 years old. The emts looked at the girl. They put a neck brace on her and put her on the ambulance. It turns out that the initial forensics from the skid mark put the kid at about 60 mph. The street is zoned 35. So, I basically saw him at a point where I was safe to cross and he was going about twice the speed limit.
They cited him first for speeding. Then… they cited him because he was uninsured. They took commentary from onlooker who agreed that he was waaaay over the speed limit. I got a report number and went to the interview.
I don’t think I got the interview. I think I should have chosen hospital in retrospect.
Fast forward. It’s now about 3 hrs since the accident. The minor pain in my back is now a right shoulder blade in quite a lot of pain. So… I’ll go to the doctor’s after we drop off the car. I really don’t want to be all, “oooh my neck… oooh my back!” Because it looked like the girlfriend was really trying to muster loads of sympathy from the emts over the guy in the suit. (Interview…. whoopie) But to be honest. I really hurt now.
And for the safe side… I’ll put a request out if anyone knows a good ambulance chaser because I may as well deal with this thing as best I can. Later I’ll post pictures from the accident. (It may occur shortly after this post because this is being written ‘offline’) I really feel like I was completely legal and safe in my driving and obviously I am P!$$ed off about this. This accident could not have occurred at a worse time.
Well, I seem to be mostly okay. It could have been far worse.
More later when I can reflect on stuff.
5 p.m. I fear while there might not be too much physical damage, I think there’s going to be a need for mental healing. Coming out of the Toyota place (which referred us elsewhere) shimmeringjemmy pulled up behind a vehicle stopped at an intersection. I had the sudden gripping terror that we were going to hit the car. Now, I’m in no way doubting her driving abilities.. it was just image of car coming towards me. I sat there trembling for about 15 seconds.
I’m typing now so that I don’t have to look at the road. The cars driving around are making me unbelievably uneasy. I know that it’s all in my mind; but with the physical reminder in my shoulder and back, and not really having driven since it happened. I’m impressed that my abreaction is as high as it is.
6:30 p.m. The car is dropped off. We don’t know if insurance will just say, “totaled” and then we’re in a real mess. Because we’ll get a check cut for car’s worth, not remainder of loan. We did get a rental. This meant that shimmeringjemmy had to drive the loaner car while I had to get back into the driver’s seat of the rental. Let me tell you… white knuckle the whole way home.
I’m driving a Corolla rental now. Our wonderful mostly new Matrix is currently being assessed as to whether it is recoverable. On top of that when the flatbed arrived the first thing shimmeringjemmy pointed out to me was that the bumper was gone. She said, “Guess we’ll have to get a new Steelers’ Bumper Sticker.” Okay, Now I’m pissed.
I’m really ripped. I’ll be on AIM if anyone wants to chat. (Yes, that’s an active hint)
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I am so glad you are safe and sound. Much love and healing to you!
Boy, have I been there (wreck and afteraffects.) It sucks. So sorry this happened to you. I hope you feel better in every way very soon.
The Shock…
eventually does wear off. I was there not more than a couple of months ago. My accident very similar to yours except that they cited me as being at fault (thank the gods I had insurance.)
I’m here if you need to talk…
Driving for the next couple of weeks is likely to make you very uneasy. In fact that very intersection may induce a full fledged panic attack. Again, with time these fade.
Still there is a part of me that hears the squeel of tires and the crunch of metal and plastic against metal and plastic and all I can do is shiver. *hugs*
*long gentle hugs* I’m so glad you’re okay!
I’m sure you already know all this but … drink lots of water tonight and tomorrow and the next day, and take anti-inflammatories before you go to bed. If you also take 1000-1500mg of calcium (or calcium with magnesium) it’ll help your muscles to fully relax, and glucosamine will help the unhappy connective tissues to heal.
*more hugs, just ’cause*
1) You are in one piece. Everything else is gravy.
wow. you have managed to strike an air-sign speechless. that takes skill.
my heart goes out to you, my friend. Insert standard platitude of “If you need anything.” only with the addendum of, “I mean it, dammit.”
*hugs*
Good to know you’ve gotten out ok!
Oh man…that is so harsh. You’ve been having such a difficult time lately, I’m sure this is one of the last things you wanted to deal with. I’m so sorry.
But you know, I have every confidence that you will be fine, and gainfully employed very soon.
Hoo boy. What a time for something like that to happen. All I can say is, take it easy and try to relax. I hope you feel better soon, and I’m glad you came out of it in one piece.
I’m so glad that buttmunch didn’t injure you any worse, because then, you know, I’d have to drive up there and kick his ass for you.
Oddly, the thing that helped the most when I gave myself severe whiplash was acupuncture. Not to say it’ll work all that well for you– it might not– just something to think about.
*hug* *glad you have H to take care of you* π
You’ve got short-term (hopefully) PTSD. My wife went through that after a wreck early last year. She wound up being given some anxiety pills she had to take from time to time when the panic started to well up. And, of course, I did the majority of the driving.
Don’t poo-poo the mental effect, it’s much more dangerous than any physical damage. Do whatever you have to do to get better, and while I’m very anti-lawyer and anti-lawsuit, sue the living SHIT out of that kid.
sorry about the pain and panic, but glad you weren’t hurt any worse. another speechless air sign…
First off – I’m glad you’re alive and weren’t any worse hurt. On that note – all the things you are feeling are quite normal, having gone through that kind of experience. Don’t feel bad that you’re freaking out now – have a cow for a little while, it’s allowed.
I hope your back gets better – I well know the pain of wrenched back muscles. Drugs are good things in this case.
*HUG*
wow that is really terrible! I’m so sorry this happened to you π
Awww, that sucks. Big hugs and lots of healing vibes to you.
Years and years ago I got rear-ended by a drunk driver. It was extremely traumatic. He was going at least 60. Guy could barely stand up he was so drunk, was unlicensed AND uninsured. Then he got pissed off and drove away – technically a hit-and-run.
I’ve never quite recovered. I still look in the rear-view mirror when I’m stopped. I still brace myself when I think someone is coming up too fast. I’m not as bad as I used to be, but it does takes some time.
That totally sucks. I hope you’re feeling physically better after a night of rest. As for mentally, maybe you should “get back on the horse” and drive again sooner rather than later.
I’ve been through this, I understand. In my case it was an uninsured mother with her 3 year old in the car who ran a red light. Who drives their little child around with no insurance, don’t they care if their baby get’s injured!? Anyway, my uninsured motorist coverage was a life saver. Please PLEASE tell me you have uninsured motorist coverage!
I can refer you to my attorney that handled the case if you like, but I would imagine you’d like some one closer to home. Essentially what happens is the attorney is suing YOUR insurance since the other driver didn’t have any. And thanks to my uninsured motorist coverage, I got a year’s worth or chiropractic and massage care covered as well as a cash settlement to cover pain, suffering, future medical bills, etc.
Have you been to a chiropractor yet? You’ll need regular massage so that your muscles don’t form scar tissue which can limit your mobility in the future. And the shock does fade, eventually. Give it time.
*hugs* again. i only have 15 minutes at a time at a public terminal for now, so don’t expect to hear anthing substantial from me unless i manage to borrow somebody’s laptop.
Damn bro! Im glad your alright!
I’m glad you walked away from that one. I hope you feel better soon.
Hmm…
Well, if you have uninsured motorist coverage, you should be able to get your insurance to cover everything, less your deductible without an attorney’s services. Then your insurance sues the uninsured motorist to get their money back, and your part is to fill out some forms when they are ready to sue the guy. If they ever collect, you are supposed to get your deductible back. I would think you’d only need an attorney if your insurance is trying to jerk you around.
It takes at least 2 days to really register the muscle strain from a car wreck. It takes quite a bit longer than that to process the mental stress. I was rear-ended at 40 MPH a few years ago and it was three weeks before I quit hearing the noise of the crash in my sleep. Be kind to yourself. Try relaxation techniques when you are riding in a car. Definitely push the doctor for massage & chiropractic prescriptions. Most practitioners take PIP insurance (even if they don’t take regular health insurance.) Be honest about how much it hurts and make sure you get someone to take care of it.
Good luck!
Coming in late …
to tell you to be really, REALLY concerned about your body. If it hurts now, it could/probably will hurt later – like when you’re 40, 50, 60, etc. If you can get some physical therapy now you may beat the pain at its own game.
My big crash in ’65 left me with a “minor” whiplash. It started giving me trouble about a year later, and it has never left me alone since. A few times it has gotten very bad.
Be well, Brother.