Crunch :-(
Last Friday, on my way to Houston, I was involved in an auto accident. I was in the center lane of 290 waiting to make a left into my normal gas station in Giddings. I had just started my turn when I saw a car start to pull out of the lot, have a brief moment I don't remember, then felt my car move sideways. She hit me in the driver's side doors. Both cars were driveable, at least into the parking lot. Once there I got to climb out through the passenger side of the car since my door wouldn't open despite my multiple efforts. That's not a particularly easy thing to do given the car's size.
Everyone was OK.
The police were called and a report was filed. The other driver was insured and admitted fault immediately. My car was towed back to Austin, mostly due to malfunctioning door locks which continuously lock and unlock themselves. My parents drove a couple of cars to Giddings and let me use one to continue my trip to Houston. I'd had enough time to calm down after the accident and was quite awake enough to drive the final 100 miles even though it was getting a bit late.
Once I got back home I began getting the damage repaired. Decent progress has been made since this week: The car is at a body shop, should have had an estimate done today, and I'm in a rental car [a Chevy Classic (Malibu), yuck!]. Also, her insurance company has been very responsive so far. I already have two checks in the mail from them.
I'm experiencing some expected neck and back soreness. It's not going away as quickly as I'd like, but my doctor doesn't seem too concerned. We'll see how it goes.
Here's the visible damage to my car:
The other car, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, had only a crack in the front left bumper. Tomorrow I should find out more information about the extent of the hidden damage. Hopefully it's not too bad.
It's not a fun experience, but it could have been much worse.
Everyone was OK.
The police were called and a report was filed. The other driver was insured and admitted fault immediately. My car was towed back to Austin, mostly due to malfunctioning door locks which continuously lock and unlock themselves. My parents drove a couple of cars to Giddings and let me use one to continue my trip to Houston. I'd had enough time to calm down after the accident and was quite awake enough to drive the final 100 miles even though it was getting a bit late.
Once I got back home I began getting the damage repaired. Decent progress has been made since this week: The car is at a body shop, should have had an estimate done today, and I'm in a rental car [a Chevy Classic (Malibu), yuck!]. Also, her insurance company has been very responsive so far. I already have two checks in the mail from them.
I'm experiencing some expected neck and back soreness. It's not going away as quickly as I'd like, but my doctor doesn't seem too concerned. We'll see how it goes.
Here's the visible damage to my car:
The other car, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, had only a crack in the front left bumper. Tomorrow I should find out more information about the extent of the hidden damage. Hopefully it's not too bad.
It's not a fun experience, but it could have been much worse.