Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

Last Monday, I was involved in a car accident. It was three days after my 54th birthday. I was at a stop-light by the Layton Hills Mall, where I had just gone to the craft store and also McDonalds to get a hamburger and drink (it was around 1:00 PM). I was actually eating my hamburger (while waiting for the light to change), when two cars collided in the intersection...causing one to hit me. I saw it coming. My hamburger flew out of my hand and I had little onions all over me. There was a car behind me waiting, and my back bumper hit the front of her vehicle.

I remember just sitting staring at the girl that hit me. She was staring back. A young man (had his family in his car) that was involved in the accident went to the other cars to ask if we were all right. I was shaking so bad that I didn't know what to do. I had left my cell phone home and it took several minutes to realize that the car was still running. The man called the police and they came within 5 minutes. I just sat there trying to figure out what happened and if I was hurt. My neck and back were aching. My head was pounding. I wasn't sure if it was the accident or going too long without eating. I took the hamburger off me and got out of the car to brush the onions off. I asked the lady behind me if she was okay. She shook her head yes. I noticed that she was very sun-burned and not happy at all.

The police took some pictures and then asked if we could park our cars at the Layton Hills Mall. They were trying to get us away from the other traffic. We had to fill out forms and I was shaking so hard....that I'm not sure how I filled them out. One police officer was very nice and the other (that seemed in charge) barked out orders and didn't seem compassionate. I think I kept saying that I was shaking...to which he said...that's what happens when you are in a car accident. He was stern and rude and I decided to not ask him questions. The problem is that the other officer didn't seem to know anything. Finally, a third officer appeared and he was very kind. The policemen kept asking me if I needed the paramedics to come and check me out. I told them that I could tell I had whiplash, but I was also walking around and felt stupid. They finally gave me a form saying that I was injured, but refused medical help. It seemed like it took a long time and it was very hot.

I wonder how the two that collided feel. I have hurt in so many places with my hands being the first major thing I noticed (after the initial shock and numbness left). Now it's my back. I feel very blessed to not have worse injuries. My car had scratches in the back and the bumper, light, and driver's side fender is bent. Marc and I took it to a body shop to get an estimate of how much it will cost to fix. The Camry is pretty old, so I guess it will depend on whether they can fix it for less than the car costs (in today's market). I'm kind of worried about that.

All in all....I was "at the wrong place at the wrong time" and it's a day that I will never forget. Oh...and I believe in wearing seat belts.