I totaled my car

[luv2sparkle]

Danny, I am so sorry about your accident and that your car was totalled. I am so glad that you were not gravely injured. I know that is not that much consolation right now. Hugs.

 

[TristanC]

The MOST important thing is that you're OK. The rest would have to figure itself out.

I am not sure what the laws there are like, but sadly here no matter whose fault it is for stopping, if you hit them you are 100% liable for damages. This even applies if the person deliberately cuts in front of you and slams on the brakes to cause the accident on purpose.

Don't start smoking again... I'm sure everything will calm down. Again, so glad you're ok. That's the only thing that really matters.

 

[marcy]

That is awful. I am glad you and no one else got hurt.

 

[Imdanny]

A few things (and then a few more things):

1. I didn't start smoking. I'm not going to start smoking. Now that I have a wrecked car sitting outside that used to be a valuable piece of property that I might have been able to drive for the next maybe seven years, I have even less money to waste on cigarettes.

2. All of the paperwork with my car was in order and in my possession, meaning my insurance company will pay for any damages. They'll raise my rates, but it's easy to feel sorry for oneself and think, "I don't have collision." It's also important to be grateful that I do have insurance.

3. About this issue of just how ok is it or isn't it for a many thousand pound vehicle to be stopped dead in the middle of a road like a dead horse, I'm not sure I'm in the right state of mind at this moment to discuss this further.

Ok, I will post this and post again.

 

[Imdanny]

happened to my brother who was riding on his motorcycle when the guy stopped in front of him.....that's why i say it could be worse: hospitalization, surgery, pins in ankle, unable to return to work because can no longer stand on his feet for any length of time, etc.

I'm sorry. My brother was in a single vehicle accident was he was sixteen, was in a coma for six months, and in a rehabilitation hospital for six more. I got to see him in a coma (unreal, I think it affected me profoundly for the rest of my life), people with spinal injuries (a nineteen year old 100% fine from the neck up who couldn't move his body from the neck down shared a room with my brother when he arrived at the rehabilitation hospital, playing football, I will never forget his family standing over him, in fact the imagine of my mother standing over my brother the first time I saw him in the coma is burned into my mind forever). I did feel really badly about hitting the car, believe me. That was part of why I freaked out. Then, yes, I pulled it together, but I'll tell you, if you have three officers breathing down your neck, plus the sound of traffic, plus 800 directory numbers that for some reason give you the number and say "Good-bye!" while you stand there trying to remember what number they gave you, that's not easy. Thank you. Hugs.

 

[Imdanny]

Oh Danny, that just bites! I too, am glad that you're OK, but I can only imagine how upsetting this is...I would have cried for a lot longer than 5 minutes! Hugs to you....

Well, looking at your beautiful ring is making me feel better.

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

Danny,

I'm sorry! I'm so glad you are okay.

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

Danny, I'm so sorry, that must have been beyond scary. It was really dangerous for the people in that car to do that, I can't imagine what they were thinking. I'm glad nobody was hurt.

I just want to mention that a friend of mine was in a similar type of accident, and she felt ok at first and then after a day or two had pain and it turns out she had some muscle injuries - so please take care of yourself. Big hugs to you, this really stinks. (And I'm glad you're ok.)

Thank you.

In fact, my neck and shoulders hurt today and, you know what, I was in a really bad mood. None of the people who had to deal with me today are going to forget it in a long time. In a way, though, it was good, because I said some things to some people I've been feeling and that I've needed to say for a long time. I didn't pull any punches. I didn't worry about freaking out, raising my voice, nothing. I did what I had to do to get my point across. A lot of resentment and anger had been building up against some very powerful people who aren't used to being told off. Well, they got told off today.

And, yes, the crash was scary. Wow.

 

[Imdanny]

Yikes! I kind of know myself well enough that the cops would've had to pull me off of that idiot who stopped dead in traffic. Why people can't just go and turn around is beyond me. We have people do that on the highways here. It's caused a lot of fatal wrecks.

Ame, the officer (one in particular) asked me why I was shaking (he was insinuating I might be drunk and I most certainly was not). I'm like, Dude, my car is totaled, I have no collision, I was just in a pretty major crash, and I hit two strangers' car whether they or their car was hurt or not. Why do you think I'm upset?!

You and I are very similar. We could both go off on people. The thing is we know society doesn't allow that but you know what- sometimes people are just idiots.

Thank you, Ame.

 

[Imdanny]

Wow, that sucks Danny.
Glad you're not hurt.
Big hug to you.

Right back at you, my friend. I should have been hypermiling. Then I would have had plenty of room to stop. Next time I'll know.

 

[Imdanny]

Really? The 'visitor' stopped in the middle of the road? Das ist echt ätzend!

I'm so sorry about your accident; hope everything gets resolved.

I agree! I don't even know what you said but I agree! LOL!

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

Danny
sorry to hear this new hugs to you.

Thank you, DF, and hugs to you. You and I might not agree on politics (just a guess ) but you're a great guy, you're so funny, I've always enjoyed your posts, and we're both watch people. You're alright in my book, dude. Thank you again.

 

[Imdanny]

Aww, Danny! Bummer of the decade. I'm so sorry -- I did something similar once, only it was ALL my fault. Totaled my car, nobody hurt, thank heaven. Thought it was the end of everything, I was so mad. But I survived & now it's a memory. You will too. Many big hugs sent your way.

--- Laurie

Laurie! ((Hugs!))

I was in two other accidents but I was 17 and 22. I hate to admit it but that was almost half a lifetime ago for me. One of them was really just me being I don't know how to say... young. Nobody has ever been injured in any of my accidents. But heaven forbid it. I don't think I could live with myself, or rather, living with myself would be almost unbearable. As I said in my earlier post, I've seen the results of these things up close and personal, and it's just gut wrenching, and so, so serious, so much more serious than I think most people even know if they haven't experienced it (and I haven't) or haven't seen things like their sixteen year old brother in a coma. It changes you. You know what? You are ALL right. The fact nobody was hurt IS the important thing.

 

[Imdanny]

I hope you feel better soon Danny. Glad no one was hurt.

Thank you. Time to study the bus schedule! Maybe I'll get a lot of exercise walking to the bus stop (oh, I don't know, miles away) and maybe I'll become more like the adventurous person I was when I was young. Some good could come of it. You never know.

 

[Imdanny]

Danny!!!
So glad you are ok - that sucks! STUPID tourists!!! In their defence, they are visiting paradise, and like you said it is a trip of a lifetime... still... who the H#L1 stops in the middle of the road?????

Hard to believe when you are going thru it, but it isn't the worst thing ever... and you ARE ok... but sending a hug HUG from afar!!
(DON"T SMOKE!!)

Well, you know how I feel about them being stopped in the middle of nowhere. It doesn't make me the least bit happy. And, like I said, I am the FIRST person to be nice to visitors. We call our tourist board "the visitor industry board". I mean we don't even call tourists "tourists"! And I'm on board. We're a spec in the middle of nowhere. We would be nothing without them. And, I know (not because I feel this way- I assure you- I don't) in general and specifically because of all of the comments my family and friends have made to me over the last ten years (even including everyone I've ever 'met' on forums) just how much people love the idea of paradise. And, I think that's important. I think it's important for people to have a place they can idealize (and believe me- they are idealizing it- lol), where they can "escape" for a vacation. I mean it's a big deal for people. It's a big deal for us. I get all that. But this was really too much for me.

And, no, I haven't smoked one single cigarette since I started that thread! Thank you and everyone else who helped me. I know smoking would just make me feel worse not better and frankly, like I said, I had dropped my collision coverage, how could I afford $300 a month on cigarettes now when I couldn't before? No, yeah, that would be really dumb! Thank you and each of you who has mentioned this, though. Very thoughtful indeed.

 

[Imdanny]

Hi Danny,

I hope the police ticketed the tourist. I know of no place where parking is legal in the middle of the road. You still carry some insurance, right. Call your insurer and tell him the car was parked in the middle of the road. He caused the accident. Ask them if you have recourse.?

I would have cried too. No small thing to have your car totaled. So Sorry.


Annette

Hi Annette,

Yes, I still had/ have all of my insurance in effect, except the collision I (wow, what a bad decision that turned out to be) I dropped. They didn't get ticketed (and frankly the police must see all kinds of things like this- they weren't phased by any of it).

However, I had to answer questions on tape for my insurance company (kind of rough because, you know, the claims people have to investigate accidents, so they have to investigate you, you the person who pays them, and in my case it's a member owned company, I actually own a piece of it, I get a dividend check every year). So it kind of hurt my feelings some of the questions I was asked and the lady's attitude (and I told her after the tape stopped and we were done, long story short- I ended up apologizing to her and telling her that her question was fair and professional- but it still really sucks- between you and me that it has to work that way).

So, I learned that if (if- I want to roll my eyes) my insurance company determines that what I said is accurate (I know it is- I heard the driver tell the officer he was at a complete stop at a place where he should not have been- I heard him admit it) they will proportion liability based on contributory negligence.

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

Oh no - Danny I'm so glad you're okay!!!


But yeah, wow, that's awful! WHAT was the Visitor thinking???? There's NO good reason for sitting in the middle of the road - if it was car trouble they should've put out flares! And I'm SO sorry about the insurance

I know they won't fix things, but lots of ::HUGS:: anyway!


PSA - *please* carry flares or cones in your vehicles. DH's labmate from Cali was in a terrible accident a couple of months ago - he hit a deer and apparently didn't have room to pull off the road, and was hit while sitting in the car waiting for the tow truck. He didn't make it.

Oh, Yssie, I'm so sorry.

Life is a fragile thing.

Thank you for your support.

I'm following your DBL project and I've become hooked on what I call "the Yssie threads"- they make great reading and even better eye candy!

Best to you and thank you again.

 

[Imdanny]

Danny, this is the last thing you needed. I'm sorry, and I'd be very upset too. I know this is the last thing you need to hear right now, but don't smoke. Seriously, you're doing so well, don't let this derail your efforts. (Sorry if that was crass, but I do know what it's like and I know I'd be reaching for the pack...).

Jennifer, not crass at all!

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

Danny--the main thing is that you are OK.

Is there anyway you can collect from the idiot who caused you to crash?

Thank you. It didn't feel that way at first but like I said I'm really starting to realize that now that the shock is starting to wear off.

No, those people are free to go park in a stretch of road between exits with a speed limit of 55 mph for all I know.

I'm trying not to roll my eyes at those people because I want to keep the spirit of this thread positive but really- vehicle stalling is a major category of accident causes, service workers (telephone, electric, road, utilities) put up flares, flashing lights, signs, flag signalers, and police escorts! They don't just stop in the middle of the road in a place where nobody in their right mind would ever have a reason to just park. It's incredible.

 

[Imdanny]

Dang this stinks, glad you are OK, hopefully you wont have any physical after effects..take care.

Some aches and pains but I really think this is typical (and the stress doesn't help).

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

I'm sorry the car was totalled but glad you weren't hurt. I hope everything will be OK.

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

So sorry Danny! Thank goodness you are OK, that is the main thing- that no one was seriously hurt. When I was in my twenties I totaled my car (I do think it's a word btw) and it was all my fault. I wasn't paying attention and bam- I rear ended this poor guy's car. He was super nice about it though but it was an awful experience nonetheless and because it was my fault I felt even worse if that makes sense. So take solace in the fact that it wasn't really your fault and that no one got hurt. Life is full of this stressful crap and when you come out of it OK you have to be thankful and appreciate all the good. So big hugs to you!

Big hugs to you!

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

I'm glad you are okay.((HUG))

((HUG))

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

Oh Danny! That sucks! I'm sorry that happened to you. I deal with idiot drivers all day long, so I feel your pain. I'm glad you're ok, though.

Thank you.

Your ring is beautiful, BTW.

 

[Imdanny]

I'm so sorry to read this, but as hubby has always said to me," It's only a car. They make them every day."

If you're lucky enough to live in Hawaii, somewhere karma will kick in.

Crying is very cleansing and therapeutic so go ahead and have a good one.

It is nice, but I paid for in karma. Nothing is free.

Thank you kindly.

 

[that_someone_special]

Man. You are having a rough 2011.
I hope 2012 is better.

I am sorry this happened

 

[VRBeauty]

Danny - I'm glad you and the others involved are OK. Having been in an accident or two, I can imagine only too well how shook up you must have been! Be prepared for that feeling to re-surface when you least expect it. Years ago my younger brother was in a car accident that broke his neck. A few weeks later I was driving, and spotted an accident that had just happened. I was hit with such a rush of adrenaline that I had to pull off and steady myself before I could resume my trip. (My brother is OK thanks to excellent emergency medical care and surgeons.)

If you have a chiropractor you trust, consider going in as soon as you can for an evaluation and adjustment. I did that as part of my "ounce of prevention" both times I was in minor accidents.

Cut yourself some slack for the next few days - you're recovering from being traumatized both physically and emotionally.

And whatever you do, please don't resume smoking or hypermiling!

 

[Imdanny]

Man. You are having a rough 2011.
I hope 2012 is better.

I am sorry this happened

Thank you. It's hard to even believe it's New Year's, OM, I am so not in the mood for celebrating. LOL.

 

[Imdanny]

Danny - I'm glad you and the others involved are OK. Having been in an accident or two, I can imagine only too well how shook up you must have been! Be prepared for that feeling to re-surface when you least expect it. Years ago my younger brother was in a car accident that broke his neck. A few weeks later I was driving, and spotted an accident that had just happened. I was hit with such a rush of adrenaline that I had to pull off and steady myself before I could resume my trip. (My brother is OK thanks to excellent emergency medical care and surgeons.)

If you have a chiropractor you trust, consider going in as soon as you can for an evaluation and adjustment. I did that as part of my "ounce of prevention" both times I was in minor accidents.

Cut yourself some slack for the next few days - you're recovering from being traumatized both physically and emotionally.

And whatever you do, please don't resume smoking or hypermiling!

Well, if I start hypermiling someone might run into me, but that would be their fault. I keed. I keed.

I'm so glad your brother is OK. My brother is too. He completed high school, he has an excellent job as a janitor (they have a fancy term for it but that's what we used to call it) at the local community college, full time, living wage, full benefits, he got married (he's now separated but honestly I blame his wife- you'd expect me to say that- but I really do), and he has a two year old daughter! We didn't know if he would live let alone this. We're so happy about it.

It has been traumatizing both physically and emotionally- you're right. I will try to cut myself some slack. It's kind of hard when your car is a wreck and one thought one was being so smart and responsible to drop collision on an "old" car and honestly there's no clear or easy way out of it but I'll try.

Thank you.

 

[Imdanny]

How terrible! Glad to hear you're ok. Hugs to you!

Hugs!

Thank you.