Something Bad, Something Good

13 years ago

On January 18th, as I was traveling home from work, my car was rear-ended by a gal who later told the CHP that she just looked down at her radio for a second and when she looked up, there I was. She sent me and my car over a 300-foot embankment. The back window popped out and my car rolled over onto the roof and I slid down the embankment upside down and backward. Basically, the car became a giant shovel and dirt was being pulled into the car like mad. I even had dirt in my ears, LOL. At the bottom of the embankment the car rolled back onto its wheels. It was pretty scary, but miracle of miracles, I had no broken bones and not a drop of blood left my body. Since I basically slid down the slope (thank God it was a grassy slope and not rocky) on my head, my scalp itched and burned for a couple of weeks after the accident. I did have whiplash and some colorful bruising and scratches on my left shoulder and the spot where my neck meets my back, left knee,and left wrist, but that's about it. I only missed two days of work, and DH has been driving me to work since then. He wanted me to stay home longer, but I can't afford not to work, so "hey ho, hey ho, it's off to work I go".

The kicker is that the 27 year-old gal who hit me not only didn't have insurance, but didn't have a drivers license!

We are still waiting for our insurance company to pay up, but I decided I needed to get back in the driver's seat, so I got my new car on Sunday. And since I believe my 2004 Hyundai Elantra played a large part in my lack of injuries, I absolutely wanted another.

And okay, I'm so tickled with my new car that I wanted to share it with all of my pals at the table.

The old car:

The new car:

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Comments (35)

kayjones
13 years ago
Oh, Sweetie - I am so sorry about this. WHEN are they going to force people to KEEP insurance on their vehicles?!!!! Thank GOD you weren't hurt badly.
joyfulguy
13 years ago
Sure thankful that you got through it with as little trauma as you did, Donna!

... and did you say that you work for a delivery company (or are there no "Loomis" trucks in your area?

ole joyful
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gardenspice
13 years ago
Wow. That is one horrible accident. It is miraculous that you got out with minor injuries.
It sounds like you have a really good attitude about the whole mess.
I hope your new car keeps you safe!
OklaMoni
13 years ago
I want to join the club of people saying Thank goodness, you are all right.

So glad, you got back in the drivers seat again too. I hope, you insurance company can get some of the dough back it has to lay out for you.

Moni
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
I have a friend who lives in OKC last name of Loomis, every time we saw the bank trucks we would kid them asking when their next money delivery would happen.

I am amazed you went through that with such minor injuries. Such a blessing. I bet if they had checked the girls cellphone they would find why she was not looking at the road.
please tell me they threw the book at her. No insurance, no drivers license, admitting she was not watching the road, she should have jail time.

Nice new car, sure hope it is covered by the insurance, I don't see why they wouldn't you were not at fault.
Georgysmom
13 years ago
How very scary! A miracle you came out almost completely unscathed. I do hope there will be no problems with your insurance company. You've been through enough and no fault of your own. Your new car is beautiful. Enjoy....you deserve it.
katlan
13 years ago
Wow, someone was watching over you. I'm very glad your injuries were relatively minor. Sweet new car!

I doubt anything really happens to the girl that hit you, unfotunately.
glenda_al
13 years ago
Very scary!

I'm glad you came out a survivor.

Have a friend who had similar accident and her insurance had to pay instead of the one that caused the accident with no car insurance and drivers license had been revoked.
marie_ndcal
13 years ago
I too am glad there was not more injuries. Just watch out, though sometimes injuries show up months even years later. Be sure and document everything. I do hope they took the car away from the person who did this. Maybe a lawsuit would remind her to obey the law a little better.
sandiefl
13 years ago
Seems llke you had an Angel watching and riding with you.
alisande
13 years ago
Wow--there are many ways the outcome of that accident could have been a whole lot worse. Thank goodness you're okay!

I'm with Raven.....I'll bet she was texting or doing something with her phone, and I hope she didn't get off with a warning.
wanda_va
13 years ago
I'm sorry about your accident, but your guardian angel was on duty. What a miracle. Your little car did a good job of protecting you, so I can understand why you wanted another one like it. Thanks for sharing your story with us. It's a shame it happened, but the outcome was so much better than it might have been. Hugs!
marylmi
13 years ago
Wow, you are a lucky lady! What a scary ordeal! Glad you did not get badly hurt and love your new car!
tami_ohio
13 years ago
Thanking God you are ok, and with only minor injuries.
lydia1959
13 years ago
You're one lucky gal!! That sounds like a terrifying accident and you were lucky to walk away from it with just some bruises.

Love the new car! The color is nice too!
ellendi
13 years ago
So glad you are OK. I am just wondering though, were you wearing a seat belt?
donna_loomis
Original Author
13 years ago
To answer a few questions:
Ole Joyful, I am told that my ex-husband's family is related to the Loomis truck people, but a very distant relation.

Not a question, but several of you hoped the other driver got/gets what she deserves. I will never know. At first I was a bit angry, but I realized that anger served no good purpose. I just want to move on with my life. I really didn't want to have a car payment, but I didn't want to buy a used car. So, even though the insurance company is only giving me a little less than half what I paid for the new car, having a reliable vehicle is worth the cost. I do kind of hope that it shook her up enough to quit driving without a license, but I doubt it.

My insurance won't go up because of the accident because it wasn't my fault, but it is higher because I'm insuring a new car, not my 8-year old one.

And yes, you better believe I was wearing my seat belt. I had a little welt across my neck for about a week because of it, but I blessed that welt every time I saw it, LOL. People, PLEASE wear your seat belts!

'Nuff said.
sheilajoyce_gw
13 years ago
Oh, Donna, I have been wondering what you have been up to since I have not seen a post from you in a while. I am glad your injuries were not as serious as they could have been, but do keep aware of your neck injury if it develops into something more serious. What a story you have to tell! You certainly had a Guardian Angel riding with you that day! Your new car is cute! Love the color. That was some E Ticket ride you had there!
morz8 - Washington Coast
13 years ago
Pretty car! And I'm so glad you are OK. It's a shame the paperwork ties everything up for so long - darned these uninsured drivers.

The time I was hit it was by an uninsured driver, young girl. She was ticketed, I went to her court date and the judge fined her something like $100 and dismissed the rest after she showed him proof she had since purchased insurance, and she apologized. She'd also put on a bra, shoes, and removed about 30 ear, facial, and body rings/piercings for the day in court :)

I paid my deductible and my insurance company covered repairs - my share of expenses for being at the wrong place, wrong time, was more than her fine. There must be some fairness in that but I've never figured out what it was.

But, you are so lucky you weren't hurt, hope you love your new car even if you hadn't planned on getting one :)
dedtired
13 years ago
That new car is adorable! I always admire the Elantras when I see them on the road. Hope this one takes as good care of you as the last one. What an adventure -- glad you are safe and sound.
lindyluwho
13 years ago
I'm so glad you are ok. I probably would have died of a heart attack if that happened to me. I think these uninsured drivers should get more than a slap on the wrist. She should be responsible for paying your deductible at least.
kacram
13 years ago
Holy cow, Donna! I'm so happy that you didn't have really serious injuries! But just in case, don't sign off with your insurance company yet. Keep it open. Nice new ride!
Sue_va
13 years ago
Donna, when I read the first few words of your accident, I realized I was holding my breath; really holding my breath.

You were fortunate to not be badly injured, but the whole thing must have been nerve wracking. Something has got to be done about uninsured drivers, but even if they are insured, using the phone and texting has got to be stopped!

I imagined myself in a situation like yours, and it was scary. I have never been in an accident, thankfully, but I have a fear that if I ever were, and could not get a window open, I would panic.

So glad you are okay, and that is one cool ride!

Sue
teresava
13 years ago
Wow!! How very scary! Thank godness you weren't seriously hurt. I agree with the others that suggest you be very careful and take care of yourself in the next few months, years.

The new car is very cute! Love that color!
amyfiddler
13 years ago
300?! how terrifying. You are one lucky gal - plus a cute new ride.
ntt_hou
13 years ago
Oh my, reading your experience brought back to mine. It was similar except that I came out in much better physical condition than you.

The other driver claimed that he was looking down to reach something and didn't see my car parked on the side of the road with emergency lights flashing. Obviously, his story didn't add up somewhere. The road was in a residential area with 35 mph limit. This was a long stretch road. Even if one was speeding, he would have enough time to see far ahead. He was actually drunk. We could smell his alcohol breath even after smoking a few cigarettes while waiting for the police to arrive.

When he hit my minivan, it jumped a 100 ft and landed on the grass area. My minivan was tolled. He hit so hard that the gas tank had a leaked. With him smoking, it was fortunate that my van didn't blow up. It was severe damaged and had broken windows from the back and all the way up to the back of the driver seat. Yes, it stopped right where I was sitting. I only had a tiny tiny scratch on my nose from a flying glass. I too was wearing a seat belt. I was hit so hard that my body was uncontrollably shaken for a good 2 weeks. It felt weird because emotionally, I wasn't shaken up about the accident. I never saw him coming.

I truly believed someone was watching me. After seeing photos of the damaged van and the damaged wheelchair, my boss insisted on seeing me in person. He didn't believe that I came out alright.

I did the same thing as you did Donna. I was told by the junk yard attendant that she has seen so many Chrysler minivans saving lives. So, I purchased another Chrysler minivan (2002). Hopefully, the newer one was built just as heavy duty as the old one (1996).

By the way, congrats on your new car. It's beautiful. You have a wonderful attitude toward the whole accident.
jemdandy
13 years ago
Lucky you. That was one bad ride!
juellie1962
13 years ago
Wow! I'm as impressed with your attitude as with the fact that you weren't seriously hurt. Although I agree with whoever said to be careful because injuries can show up months or even years from now! Not a fun way to get a new car!
casey_nfld
13 years ago
Oh my goodness, what a terrible accident! You are lucky you weren't hurt worse!! Stupid driver who hit you, not to have insurance or a license!! I hope she gets big fines for that.
jannie
13 years ago
Hooray for you-surviving such a terrible accident. Cheers for having good insurance. In 2010 I crashed my nearly-new Toyota Corolla. It got assigned to The Total Loss Unit . Within a week, I had a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid, definitely the best car I've ever owned. Hybrid engine, GPS, runs great, gets over 35 mpg. Sorry that girl had no license or insurance. I would hope the cops gave her tickets at the scene.
jel48
13 years ago
I'm so glad you are ok.
rob333 (zone 7b)
13 years ago
I am fantastically pleased you're ok and even LOL at your accident. Good for you. Love the new car, she's a beauty.

They do "force" people to have insurance as much as they can. Don't have it and you'll end up with a suspended license (very serious offense). I hope they did more than give her a ticket. And she can still be sued in civil court to pay the damages not covered by insurance. Get a good enough judge and she could have to pay without you going through insurance (so as to avoid higher premiums). Never hurts to talk with a lawyer. You'd be doing the community a favor getting her off the streets. Good luck with whatever you choose.
joann23456
13 years ago
Thank goodness you're okay - and that you were wearing your seatbelt. And nice new car!
Dash2
13 years ago
I am so very glad you are okay. That young woman needs to spend some time in a jail cell. She can use the time to reflect on the tragedy she nearly inflicted on your friends and family.
fran1523
13 years ago
Somebody was watching over you that day. Nice car and so glad you are okay.

Something Bad, Something Good

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