If you're not already wearing your seatbelt at ALL times while in a motor vehicle, will these photos of my car taken on Saturday convince you now?
My neighborhood is adjacent to a major road and unfortunately there is not a dedicated turn lane, so while I stopped take a left onto my street, an inattentive driver behind me traveling around 60mph did not stop, yield or go around me and instead and plowed full-force (no brakes, no nothing) into the back of my car. The impact sent me into oncoming traffic in the opposite direction and I t-boned a truck.
"Scary" barely describes the feeling of seeing the car in my rear mirror and thinking in a flash, "Oh dear God, she's not going around me. I'm going to get hit!" and then smash! I was in a double collision.
Luckily, I was alone; it could have been an entirely different outcome if the kids were in the car. I literally walked out of this crash thanks to my seatbelt and airbags, and the other drivers involved did, too. I was checked out at the hospital and the doctors were amazed that I didn't break anything or have more major injuries. Again: the seatbelt saved my life.
Yeah, dude. Me, too.
Thank goodness you're ok (and that you were alone).
ReplyDeleteSo so scary.
I'd totally be having a beer (or 5) with you :)
OMgoodness, Lelan, thank the Lord you were okay and the kids weren't with you! I was in an accident when I was 15, and shouldn't be alive let alone walking, but here I am. . .'thank you, seatbelt'. I'm a big advocate for the seatbelt. At least you found some humor in it, or that God sent Mr. Beer shirt to give you a laugh ;)
ReplyDeleteThank God you're okay! Those pictures ... dang!
ReplyDeletestill can't believe you didn't get seriously hurt! Hope you are healing well!
ReplyDeletehugs!
I'm so glad you're ok! And I would need a beer too...
ReplyDeleteThat story gave me chills. I am so glad you are okay and that the kiddos weren't with you.
ReplyDeleteAGH! Thank goodness you're all right! That is a scary sight to see. I hope you're not too shaken afterward. Nice to see you still have your humor.
ReplyDeletei am just happy you are okay!
ReplyDeleteSo not cool. I agree with Staci (or 5).
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're okay!
ReplyDeleteWOAH! So glad you're alright & that the kids weren't with you! That reminds me of a story from some John Irving novel about how you shouldn't turn your wheels to the left in preparation for making a left-hand turn because if you're hit from behind you'll get pushed into oncoming traffic. That little tidbit stayed in my head and I NEVER turn my wheels until I'm ready to go.
ReplyDeleteOH MY!!! I'm so happy you are OK. I was in a similar accident and my daughter was in the back. Seat belts, air bags and a great car seat saved us too. We walked away with only me having some scrapes and bruises. Oh, I'm so glad you are OK...yes, very scary.
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, that is scary! I'm glad you are ok. You are right, it could have been a whole lot worse.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Lelan! I'm so glad you're okay! What a terrifying thing to go through.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! So happy you are okay!!
ReplyDeleteAnd the beer shirt part...hysterical!
I echo the sentiment of everyone else: thank goodness you're okay! I think it's funny you had the presence of mind to take pictures not only to share here, but also for insurance purposes. It's incredible that you walked away without any major physical trauma! Was the oblivious driver texting? >:\
ReplyDeleteOMG thank God your babies were not in there. I worry about crap like this all the time. Why are people so crazy and stupid?
ReplyDeleteOh my! Thank goodness you are okay! And thank you for posting this. Far too many people go belt-less and so hopefully this is a wake-up call!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
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Oh no! I'm glad you are okay and that the kids weren't with you.
ReplyDelete(And now an obligatory reminder that you probably have to replace carseats in the car even though there were no kids in them).
Everytime I see these pictures, it reminds me of how lucky you were! So glad you're ok!
ReplyDeletewhoa! thanks goodness you were okay and that your kiddos were not with you!!!! are you feeling anything from it at all? :(
ReplyDeletehugs to you!
;0gina
ps-i always wear my seatbelt. i feel neked without it. even if I am just backing out of the driveway.
Thanks, everyone, for your nice notes. A few follow-ups:
ReplyDelete1. Yes, I'm feeling okay, and thank you for your concern. I think the physics of the crash actually *prevented* more injury because I was pushed from behind and the forward again within seconds of each other. Strange how that happens.
2. I agree with the advice to never cut your wheel while waiting.
3. I did replace the car seats immediately because a) they were full of glass, and b) I agree that once compromised (child in it or not), it's, well, compromised and new seats are necessary.
4. The driver was probably in her 70s, so texting probably wasn't the cause of her inattentiveness. I have a few snarky theories, but I'll keep them to myself.
That literally gives me chills. SO, so glad that you are okay!!!!!
ReplyDeleteoh my GOSH! i'm so glad you are ok!!! this raised the hair on the back of my neck.
ReplyDeletethank goodness the kids weren't in the car. big hugs to you!
Praise the Lord you are ok!!! He was certainly looking out for you! Hope you are too emotionally brusied! I was in a school bus accident in JH and none of us were hurt, but I had a hard time riding in cars for a little while after that. (((((hugs)))))
ReplyDeleteGlad you are OK, and I'm showing these pictures to my kids who I CONSTANTLY annoyingly have to remind to put on seatbelts everytime they are in the car!
ReplyDeleteACK! What a horrible accident!! Glad everyone's ok!
ReplyDeleteWow! Glad you are ok!
ReplyDeleteOh my!! So glad you are ok and could walk away from this! And keep your chin up on the aftermath crap that you have to deal with! :) Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteOh my word Lelan. How did I miss these posts? I have chills runing up and down my arms. That is so scary!!! And truly amazing you made it out okay. I am so glad you did not have your kids in the car either...and that you made it out okay. What a nightmare now dealing with all the aftermath too.
ReplyDelete