Thanks, Brandon for posting the link. The damage to this tree is a prime, although a bit extreme, case where the use of the liquid copper fungicide can prevent the wood of a tree from being infected by rot. Without treatment this tree may live a long time, but the wood of the trunk will be infected by fungi, and eventually the tree will become hollow. This may weaken the tree and eventually shorten its life. The specific advice I would give in addition to what Brandon gave the link to, is, first, do nothing for at least 3 months, maybe better 4 or 5. The wood needs to thoroughly dry out before an application of liquid copper fungicide can be absorbed into the wood surface. Also, don't try to trim away any loose bark until at least later in the summer; best, not until the fall when the tree's growth has stopped for the year. Then gently remove any lose bark. You don't want to be too aggressive doing this because you can extend the damage. But some of the cambium/bark at the edges of the wound may be killed, but not seem to be loose. So as the callus tissue begins to grow around the edges of the injury, you may begin to notice that some more of the bark may become loose--it may take two or three years for this to become apparent. When it is apparent that there is old bark covering a part of the trunk that is not growing underneath, try to loosen and remove this bark and then apply the liquid copper fungicide underneath. Again, be gentle in removing this old bark covering the dead part of the trunk underneath. Figfarmer--I think if you use the liquid copper fungicide as I suggest, being sure to refresh it annually, your tree will have a good long life to come, free of fungal wood rot. -Spruce

Talk with your insurance agent and the body shop. If its just the sheet metal that is banged up and a leaking fuel tank, a good body shop should be able to repair this to like new condition. However, since I can not see the damage, I can not make a judgement. If the damage is extensive, the insurance carrier may decide to to "total" the car and pay you what they determine is the worth of the vehicle. Be careful if they decide to total the vechicle. You might not get enough to replace the car. Make sure that you do. Point out that your time is worth money and that you will have to spend time to find a replacment and the hassle of buying it and licensing it.

Have you contacted your homeowner's insurance? If not that should be your next call. They will step in and make sure the driver's insurance pays, but liability limits are often not all that large on cars. Many people would be in real trouble if they hit a Bentley or other very expensive car (the owners usually have uninsured/under-insured coverage for just this case). If you are liable for more than the policy amount, then you may be on the hook for the balance. How it proceeds depends on how much money it is and how much the insurance company thinks they can try to squeeze out of you. A judgment against someone with no assets that can be attached is not worth all that much (think 'law suit proof').

What wonderful comfort this must have been to the little boy. This remeinds me when my daughter first starting teaching. She taught in a very poor district. She dearly loved the children, some of the parents "NOT." One afternoon she was leaving school and heard tires squeal. She ran around the building and a little 10 year old girl was hit by a car. She ran to the girl while someone called 911. The mom lived just down the street and came runing. It wasn't long before the Dad came. Mom and dad just stood in the middle of the road yelling at each other. Our daughter felt so sorry for the little girl. Our daughter followed the ambulance to the hospital. They ended up making the parents leave the building until they decided to stop yelling. To this day the little girl always comes into our daughters classroom to see her. They have a special bond.. Susie