Things I Learned By Accident. Literally.

I started this entry yesterday, but by the time I finished it, it was too late to find pictures to insert. I opted to finish today.

My loaner car is a Volkswagen Jetta. It's a nice car for sure, and it reminds me of the TARDIS because it is much bigger on the inside. I just got it this morning, so there are things I need to get used to. Like unlocking the trunk, starting the car, and driving a small car again.

I feel like I can write about this now, it's been a while, and the claim is settled. I've wanted to tell this story for over a month.

While I had my son in the car, I was hit by a commercial delivery truck. Remember the post last month about taking my son for his haircut? That was the day I got hit, and why I didn't post “after” pictures that day. Three police cars, 2 fire trucks, and an ambulance arrived on-scene.

I learned a few things that day (to be filed under things I learned but never wanted to know). First and foremost, I learned that my Durango is built like a tank.

Not MY Durango, but mine looked exactly like this before the accident

My son and I walked away without a scratch. With no real injuries at all. Oh sure, he was a little sore the next day and he had a slight bruise from the seat belt, but overall, he was fine. I had the EMT's check him, just to be sure. I am so thankful that he wasn't hurt; there really are no words to express my relief and happiness.

I also learned that I have side curtain airbags. I didn't know prior to that day; I found out (cue rim shot) by accident. Yes, I was hit hard enough to have the side curtain airbags deploy. I didn't know that they smell like something burning when they deploy (another thing I found out by accident). When we finally came to a stop, I had my son get out right away because I was afraid my car was on fire.

I learned (by accident) that if there is a witness to the accident who tells you they saw the whole thing and it was the other driver's fault, get that person's name and number. Even if the damage completely corroborates your recollection of events, get the name and number. Even if the accident occurred because the driver turned left from the right lane and hit you in the rear passenger quarter panel, and the damage to your vehicle exactly matches that story, get the name and number. Even if a police officer tells you not to worry because your state is a no-fault state, get that name and number. Especially if you were hit so hard you spun around 180°, and stopped facing oncoming traffic, get that name and number.

Yet, we walked away, completely unimpaired.

But I'll tell you why you should get that name and number. When you talk to the other insurance company, you might discover that the other driver doesn't recall the events quite the same way you do (some people might say he lied to his insurance company). You might discover their insurance company takes their side over yours, even though the damage is obviously not your fault; the damage on his truck is the front driver's side and your damage is the passenger rear quarter panel. You might end up having to go through your insurance company rather than the other driver's for the sake of expediency. So be sure to get that name and number!

Upon filing my claim online, I learned that I have accident forgiveness (another thing I found out by accident) on my policy.

I had a really great adjuster from my insurance company come assess the damage to my vehicle. He saw that I would need: a new headliner, a new side curtain airbag, new airbag sensors, to replace rear passenger door and seal, to replace the rim on the rear passenger tire, to replace the rear quarter panel, and to repaint the body work. Having said all that, I should probably tell you that the Durango that I love even more since the accident is 10 years old.

The really great adjuster totaled out my car.

As I said earlier, my son and I walked away from this accident (that totaled out my car) without injuries. I believe it was due in no small part to my Durango. Oh, and I forgot to mention that aside from having to tuck the airbag up into my windows so I could see, I was able to drive my car home from the accident, and it drove fine.

I opted to buy back my Durango from the insurance company rather than try to buy a new vehicle. I loved my car before the accident, and I love it so much more since the accident.

I went to two different places for an estimate to fix my car. One place was around the corner; very convenient, but I know nothing about them. The other place is owned by my neighbor; not as conveniently located, but it's my neighbor's place. Both places gave me approximately the same estimate. All things being fairly equal, I decided to go with the shop that my neighbor owns. My neighbor even took my car to work so I wouldn't have to worry about arranging transportation home.

Even though my car was totaled, the insurance adjuster authorized a rental while my car is being repaired (which is why I have the Jetta loaner). How awesome is that?

I could have been really vindictive about this accident and I probably could have gone after not only the other driver but the company he works for as well. Of course, I thought about it for a minute, a very brief minute, but in the end I decided to just get my car fixed.

My son and I walked away from what could easily have been a very different tale. Walked away completely unharmed. I don't need a payday, I was already rewarded. And now my beloved Durango is being repaired.