On the way to take Callie to school this morning, as I preparing to exit I-440 the car in front of me stopped suddenly because the car in front of him stopped suddenly, and I tried to stop or veer around it, but ended up hitting him in the rear. We weren't going very fast and I thought I was maintaining a safe following distance, but obviously, I wasn't. It just looked like a scuffed up bumper to me--a Mitsubisi Galant with one of those special bumpers that are impact reisistant, but the police officer said it could have undercarriage damage, trunk damage, and something else that I couldn't hear over the roar of traffic. My car got the lights on the driver's side boogered up, and the hood got pushed up a little on that side. The police officer made me promise not to drive it over 35 (or else he'd have it towed) because he was afraid that at high speeds it might catch air and make the hood fly up. I doubt it, as the bumped up area was on the side, not the front, but I promised. I am going to take a hammer, a crow bar and some epoxy glue and see if I can make things a little better. Of course, I don't have collision coverage on a car I only paid $1300 for.
For a interstate wreck, it was pretty minor. It was scary sitting there, people were flying by on both sides--driving on the shoulder on my right. The nice guy in the car I hit stopped traffic so I could pull off. I was afraid as long as I sat there, that I might get hit from behind myself, though I immediately put my hazard lights on.
Nobody was hurt. Air bags didn't go off. Cars were driveable, and we got the best police officer ever. His name was Jerry Coleman and he has been a police officer for 38 years and is retiring in 11 days. He gave us both tickets for not having our insurance cards with us. I think we can send in proof that we had coverage, and get out of having to pay a fine.
Officer Coleman said NEVER carry your registration in your car. I have always kept mine in the glove compartment. He folded it up to the size of the driver's license before giving it to us and said the way he folded it left a little pocket your insurance card fits in. He said if someone steals your car and has your registration, you can't prove the car is yours. I knew not to carry the title in the car. He also said that the thief had your name address and could pay you an unwelcome visit.
He said it is against state law to not report an accident that has over $50 in damage. I can't imagine how any accident involving a car would cause less than $50 damage. The guy I rear ended said last time he got rear ended, he didn't call the police, but later found out that it was against the law--something like leaving the scene of an accident or something.
I am a "safe driver" in general. Most of my "accidents" have been while backing up or leaving my car in the wrong gear. My present car has lots of safety features--1998 Toyota Corolla LE. I can't lock my doors when the keys are in the ignition and I can't take my keys out unless it is in park. I need to always take my keys out of the ignition, even if I havejust stopped for gas, cause it WILL roll if I leave it in drive.
Good news is I seem to be migraine free for the first time in 4 days. I felt awful yesterday, but pretty good today. Hope I get a lot done! The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day! Let's all drive safely and remember to keep a wide margin between ourselves and other cars!
For a interstate wreck, it was pretty minor. It was scary sitting there, people were flying by on both sides--driving on the shoulder on my right. The nice guy in the car I hit stopped traffic so I could pull off. I was afraid as long as I sat there, that I might get hit from behind myself, though I immediately put my hazard lights on.
Nobody was hurt. Air bags didn't go off. Cars were driveable, and we got the best police officer ever. His name was Jerry Coleman and he has been a police officer for 38 years and is retiring in 11 days. He gave us both tickets for not having our insurance cards with us. I think we can send in proof that we had coverage, and get out of having to pay a fine.
Officer Coleman said NEVER carry your registration in your car. I have always kept mine in the glove compartment. He folded it up to the size of the driver's license before giving it to us and said the way he folded it left a little pocket your insurance card fits in. He said if someone steals your car and has your registration, you can't prove the car is yours. I knew not to carry the title in the car. He also said that the thief had your name address and could pay you an unwelcome visit.
He said it is against state law to not report an accident that has over $50 in damage. I can't imagine how any accident involving a car would cause less than $50 damage. The guy I rear ended said last time he got rear ended, he didn't call the police, but later found out that it was against the law--something like leaving the scene of an accident or something.
I am a "safe driver" in general. Most of my "accidents" have been while backing up or leaving my car in the wrong gear. My present car has lots of safety features--1998 Toyota Corolla LE. I can't lock my doors when the keys are in the ignition and I can't take my keys out unless it is in park. I need to always take my keys out of the ignition, even if I havejust stopped for gas, cause it WILL roll if I leave it in drive.
Good news is I seem to be migraine free for the first time in 4 days. I felt awful yesterday, but pretty good today. Hope I get a lot done! The sun is shining and it is a beautiful day! Let's all drive safely and remember to keep a wide margin between ourselves and other cars!
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