my car accident

For those who are not on facebook or who have not heard yet, I was in a car accident yesterday. I am not injured, though yes I am a little sore. Unfortunately, the accident was my fault and the car had to be towed. And thankfully, it is still under my parents' insurance until I have a job.

Here's how it happened:

I decided to go to Target around 5 yesterday to look at picture frames and other decor items. Stephan was doing homework, so I thought it would be a good time to give him some quiet. I didn't exactly know where the Orem Target was, so I thought I'd just trust Jay (what we call the GPS). Unfortunately, Jay thought that the closest Target was in American Fork. I did not want to drive all the way there when there was a Target in Orem! So, I just drove around hoping I'd find it. I did not, so I thought maybe I'd go home. But then I went the wrong way, and it looked like I was getting close to the Lindon Wal-Mart. I was gauging my location on State Street, and I guess I wasn't looking ahead when before I knew it WHAM! I rear-ended a stopped car in the street and caused it to rear-end the car in front of it. My airbags deployed and I was screaming bloody murder this entire time. I was afraid that the car was totaled and I knew that the accident was my fault. That was when I started crying. A witness called the police and came to check on me and he checked on the other drivers. I called Stephan in a panic and he stopped everything he was doing to come to me. He also called his parents. The cops arrived, and I was ordered to stay in the car because since my airbags deployed, I was required to be checked up by paramedics. I was fine except for a sore leg. The officer asked me if I had been texting or talking on the phone. I was happy to say that I was not. The paramedic asked me some questions, they towed the car, gave me some cards, and I could go.

This was a traumatizing experience to say the least. I am grateful that the damage to the car was not serious and that it can be repaired. I am grateful that we also have a very good car. I don't know if anyone remembers, but Stephan and I had a disagreement a few months before we got married about our car situation. What I wanted to do was let my parents do what they had done for my older brothers: buy us a Honda from our next door neighbor who owns a Honda dealership. The agreement with all this is that we have to pay my parents back over time (before you think we're spoiled rotten). The neighbor has given my parents the best deals on the cars they have gotten from her. However, Stephan was not comfortable with this. He wanted to buy a car with the money we both had, which would basically buy us a junker. We compromised and asked my parents if it was possible to get a slightly-used car from Stacy (the neighbor). What ended up happening was I got my dad's 2007 Accord (still going to pay them back) and my dad got a new car. If I had been in a junker, I probably would be in the hospital right now. So basically, I now think everyone should get a Honda because they are good, sturdy cars!

Anyway. I am happy to be alive and mostly unhurt. It's an experience I never want to have ever again. But I think I am less judgmental of other drivers now. There are many, many things I'm grateful for right now that I may list at a later time.

If you want my advice, here it is: Know where you are going so you can plan accordingly. Keep your eyes on the road at all times (that was my biggest mistake). If you are lost, just get back to familiar roads and just go home. Target wasn't that important anyway. Or park the car and call someone for directions. Don't drive aimlessly. Oh, and don't text or talk on the phone while driving. I wasn't doing either, but I think that was one of the reasons the cop didn't give me a ticket. Plus, it's illegal to text while driving around here.

Sorry for my long post :)