Crash the Party

Everyone is completely well and healthy, for which we are SO grateful! I have a bruise on my hip from the seatbelt and Cam has a contusion on his arm from the airbag and a sore knee. The 80 year old man in the other car also has a sore knee but nothing else to speak of, although he is very disappointed about his car, which is severely damaged (you can't tell but his radiator was punctured).

Our car also suffered a harsh blow.

It was my first (hopefully last?) experience with airbags. I'm so grateful for them, but they sure do release some noxious fumes and residue. Although not nearly as bad as fire extinguisher residue.

Somehow, after calling the police, checking on the other driver, and waiting for the authorities to process the paperwork, I had the insane urge to document the accident with a photo of us. (Cam did not wish to join me, so he took the picture). This photo looks like I'm showing off my latest accident (actually Cam was driving). But in reality, I'm smiling because my brain was addled from an advanced state of shock.

We're not sure if our insurance will choose to fix the body or just total it and pay us its value. We're hoping for the former, because our '98 Camry is worth more to us than its blue book price--it is truly a great car and has given us no problems. We are sad to see it looking so mangled. It is really not safe to drive it with the airbags still deployed and the steering column unable to lock into place, but since the accident only a mile away from our house, the policewoman was kind enough to let us drive it home while she followed behind us. By doing that, she spared us the expense of a tow truck.

Everyone was very kind to us. We have learned some important lessons today. 1) Always have comprehensive auto insurance for your primary vehicle (luckily, we do). 2) If you feel that the driver is making an unsafe decision, do not hesitate to yell this information. 3) Don't drive angry. 4) Never remove the sunglasses from the car. Learn from our mistakes! Next time it might not turn out so well. It is a miracle that no one is hurt and we are overwhelmingly grateful for that.