Home at last, and belated Fridaily.

[ellenmillion]

So, the bulk of my activity for the day was summed up in my last post, if incompletely. I wrote and coded and did a little networking and went to meet Jake at the gym before lunch.

While I was waiting for a red light, and changing the radio station, I heard an ominous crunch and looked up to find an enormous white pickup spinning out of control, right at me.

Another crunch and I reminded myself: foot on the brake, turn off the car. Foot on the brake, turn off the car. I was about a car-length back from where I'd been a split second ago, and pointing mostly sideways. No one was hurt - one pickup had... I dunno, run a light? Tried to turn on ice and failed? I never even saw it. An oncoming truck tried to avoid it and failed completely, and then bounced off of me before stopping. Crunch! The initial pickup's airbags went off and both driver and passenger were rattled but generally fine, and the driver of the other truck was very fine. My airbags never popped. Everyone was civil (downright nice, really), information was exchanged, witness names were secured, the cops showed up eventually and tow trucks came. I got to be pushed across an intersection by a cop car. My car is really not in bad shape - crumpled front driver's side quarter thingy (light bits everywhere, of course), and a popped up hood. Something was leaking underneath, but it was clear and not gas. I had to wait in the cold for about an hour and got quite chilled - I am usually queen of prepared and have my snowsuit and boots regularly stowed in the car, but not this time. Serves me right!

I waded through calling my insurance, figuring out a body shop, letting the husband know why I wasn't at the gym with him, etc. In all, it took several hours, and then Jake finally dropped me off at the gym. I worked off some of the jitters and sat in the steamroom until I dripped, then showered, had a half a veggie sandwich at the cafe, and we went home.

My back is sore now. I am very doubtful it was due to the accident itself, but suspect shivering for an hour followed by having to consciously dial myself back on the elliptical several times, followed by generally coming down from the adrenaline.

I would like to not do that again!

Writing for a while, now, I think...

Comments

[jenny_evergreen]

I'm so glad it wasn't worse! Don't be surprised if you are a bit shaky in the morning; the reaction to these things can take some time.
*gentle hugs and soothing vibes*

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I am still a little shaken this morning, but decidedly glad it wasn't worse!

[minor-architect.livejournal.com]

...

I would like that not to happen to you again, either!

O_O

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

The motion is seconded, let's take it to a vote!

:P

Thanks!

[laylalawlor.livejournal.com]

Oh heavens! I'm so glad you're all right. That's really scary. And it's a good reminder to ME, I guess, to check the trunk and make sure our winter survival stuff is properly stowed there.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Yes! Learn from my shivering and cold feet! It doesn't feel like real winter yet, but it's colder than it seems when you're out standing in it for long periods of time.

[ryokomusouka.livejournal.com]

...I'm thinking I'd better look into an emergency kit for the new van...

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

I highly recommend it! I was right in town, too.

[kittrel.livejournal.com]

Wow! I'm glad you are ok, and wish the best for your car.

You might be hurty just from being scared and tense, especially since you saw it coming. I know I had an accident once that was so low-grade there wasn't even any damage to either car, but I ended up hurting just because I saw it coming and tensed up.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I am hopeful that it's not too bad - I love that car!

[piotrov.livejournal.com]

So good to hear you, and everyone else it seems, walked away from that relatively unharmed. Sounds like it could've been *much* worse. But best to take it easy for a while, and get some pampering from Jake, just in case. :)

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Pampering underway! Thanks!

[valdary.livejournal.com]

Glad you are OK.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[jenny heidewald (from livejournal.com)]

(((HUGS ELLEN))) Having been on the "crunch" side of accidents as a cyclist, I know how you feel! I am so glad that you are okay, though make sure that you keep an eye out for whiplash, and I keep hearing stories from folks that I know about thyroid damage from accidents...>_< It is really hard to not tense up when you see something coming at you with the split second realization of, "Shitshitshit, I am going to get hit!"

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

((HUGS)) Thanks!

[fatfred.livejournal.com]

I've had way too many crunches myself. So glad to hear you are out of this one without too much harm.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

This is only my second ever with 'crunch,' and I'll be happy if it's the last! Thanks!

[paradigm-clutch.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad you're okay and that things weren't as bad as they could have been.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

[paradigm-clutch.livejournal.com]

Very welcome! :)

[clare-dragonfly.livejournal.com]

Yikes! That sounds really, really scary. I'm so glad you're okay.

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

It was pretty frightening! Thanks!

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Goodness gracious! O_o

Glad that you were not hurt. I got T-boned once by some guy running a red light, and apparently I blacked out and was awoken later by a nice paramedic. Car was totalled.

Yes, the other guy didn't have any insurance. >_< My insurance covered replacing the car, at least.

[uminomamori.livejournal.com]

glad you're ok!

[kerstitch.livejournal.com]

So glad you are ok!