On Saturday night, I was in a car accident. In fact, it was my first ever accident. Sure, I was in an accident with Momma when I was a baby (that I have no recollection of) and I was once with my friend Carolyn and a few of her older friends and we got rear ended, but this was MY first ever accident.
I'm a cautious driver. I drive the speed limit or lower (something that I'm sure annoys all), I always use my turn signal, and I check about three times before I switch lanes to make sure that no one is near. Basically, I read the manual and I follow it.
But, what all of the manuals and experience and advice doesn't actually prepare you for is when you're in an accident that wasn't your fault. And sure, most people say the accident that they had wasn't their fault, but in this case, there are three witnesses and a police report that agree with me.
Sure, you're told about these things and you worry, but you don't actually know what it feels like until you're in it.
Saturday night, I learned that lesson. Before anyone panics, I'm fine. A little bump on the head (the top of my head hit my steering wheel) and some bruises/soreness (I'm assuming from the impact/seatbelt), but overall I'm fine. My car? Poor little Ricardo, he's just pitiful. He has to have a new windshield, two new grills (he has a front grill and a lower front grill), some body work, and has to be checked for internal damage.
The dude that hit me? Well.... his scooter (I honestly don't know what to call it, it looked like something between a vespa and a crotchrocket?) was totalled.... and he was drunk. I know, fun, right?
What happened.... I had made a later night run to the grocery store and was on my way home (correction: I was pulling onto my actual f*cking street) and this dude was on his "scooter" with no headlight on and by the time my headlight hit him and I tried to turn my car away, it was too late. Luckily, I was only going about 25mph and was slowing to make the turn, or I assume it could have been much worse. He however, did not slow down, turn, honk, yell.... nothing. He was just full on hauling ass and slammed into the front of my car.
It all happened so fast and it was.... for lack of a better word.... traumatizing. His whole body came into my windshield (almost coming completely through) and his "scooter" mangled poor little Ricardo. I put him in park immediately and jumped out, so afraid that I was shaking and crying. The only thing that I could say (ok, I might have been wailing) *tears* "are you *tears* ok?! do you need *tears* an ambulance?! *tears, tears* can I help you?!" *tears*
The man stood up almost immediately, (I don't know about you, but I would've been laying there in the middle of the road) and started to yell, curse, scream, and kick at me. I just kept repeating myself and saying I was sorry (except in retrospect he hit me, so I'm not sure why I was apologizing? probably because even though he launched himself into my car, I still felt bad that he almost went through a windshield?), and he got very loud and very angry and came at me like he was going to hit me.
There were three different people (witnesses?) outside that saw what happened and the one man that was there yelled at the dude and told him that he hit me, he better not touch me, and that he was calling the police. He immediately started yelling and somebody actually picked him up and HE LEFT before the police showed up.
They took my statement and were very understanding and kind, and honestly, I couldn't thank those IMPD officers more. They were professional, yet understanding and comforting. The witnesses also told the officers what happened for the report (so, thank you guys for being honest and helpful too!) and two ladies stood outside with me until D could get there and everything was settled (y'all are amazing people).
The man who hit me, girlfriend showed up and according to her he was probably drunk (there is no probably, I could smell it on him, he was belligerent, and even the guy who called the cops said "a drunk man just hit a girl in her car and left the scene") and he already had a warrant out for his arrest.... hence the leaving the scene. D eventually helped her get the scooter back to her house (she was nice and helpful and it wasn't her fault), since she lived literally one street and an alley away from us. And the police let me drive my car down to our house so I didn't have to pay for a tow truck. I'm not sure if the police ever caught up with him, but I'm sure he's in quite a bit of trouble when/if they do.
So, there I was, at our house after my very first accident, freaking out and knew I had to make some phone calls. I called my insurance company first (a suggestion I got from one of the two officers), got all of the information I needed (luckily, I have full coverage so they made me an appointment to drop Ricardo off to get fixed and set up a rental car for me) and then I called Dani to let her know that I wasn't gonna be able to come in Monday and explained to her why. She was worried, but understood. I also called Aunt Poot (because it happened right down the street from her and if she would have found out second hand she would have shown up at my house with three ambulances and fourteen firetrucks). I tried to call my brother, but he didn't answer (multiple times) so I eventually just had to wait for him to call me.
Yesterday D took me to get my rental and he actually drove Ricardo to the recovery shop (yes, that's what I'm calling it) for me. They did a short assessment and let me know what further assessments they would have to do, and I should have Ricardo back sometimes middle/late next week.
I joked that my rental is so nice that I might just want to keep it, but honestly, I can't wait to have Ricardo back. I mean, we're bros and have been through alot together.
All in all, I say this to say: thank you. Thank you, to the witnesses/people that came forward and out to help me and try to make sure I was ok. Thank you, to the IMPD officers that were understanding and helpful and kind. Thank you, to all those who knew/found out and checked in on me. And finally, thank you to my amazing fiance for all that he does for me that day and every single day. None of you will ever know how much I truly appreciate you.
Finally, thank you, Momma. I know it was you watching over me and making sure that I didn't get more seriously injured and that the dude (however awful he was) that hit me didn't get more injured. There is no doubt in my mind that you were there, trying to keep me safe and watching over me, like you always have. ❤️
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