The Accident

On Saturday (so yesterday), on our way to Costco in the rain, we got into a car accident. Yup. Air bags deployed, 911 called, a trip in an ambulance for me, and time sorting things out with the cops for Brad.

What happened: we were in an exit lane and the car in front of us quickly changed lanes. Once the car in front of us moved, we realized there were a bunch of cars are stopped right in front of us. Brad tried to change lanes to get out of the way but the tires went into a skid and to prevent a spin-out he straightened out the wheel and then slammed on the brakes, and we waited for impact. Which happened rather quickly. Brad got a nice sucker punch to the face with his airbag, while we both got some nice whiplash. The car died and wouldn't restart so we were just hanging out in a lane on the freeway. So lucky no one hit us from behind.

I called 911 (first time ever) and handed over the phone to Brad so he could tell them where we were. Then I started freaking out a little because of how badly my neck hurt. If I had a normal back and neck I probably would have declined going to the hospital, but I don't have the best track record so I let them take me to make sure everything was ok. The ambulance came and the paramedics put a neck-brace on me but I refused to let them strap me down to the backboard (the last time I was in a serious car accident I was strapped to a backboard and that was almost more traumatizing than the car accident to begin with).

The paramedics made Brad stay to talk with the cops and they ushered me to the closest hospital... where I had numerous x-rays and then a ct-scan because the x-rays were inconclusive (basically they couldn't tell if anything was wrong from the x-ray because of how messed up my back/neck is to begin with). Once I got back from getting the scan, Brad was in my room. Hallelujah! I guess a cop dropped him off once everything was settled from the wreck. Once all of my results came back they let me go home (about 3 or more hours later).

Numerous cars were involved. I was the only one that needed treatment. Brad got a ticket (his first ever). Brad's car is probably totaled (we won't know for sure until next week). I got some sweet meds and a sweet seat-belt burn on my neck. Brad got a Rudolph nose but it has already faded significantly. All-in-all it could have been a lot worse. We are counting our blessings and are so grateful that we are both ok and that no one else got hurt.

Brad's biggest regret (besides the accident itself) is not getting pictures of the car. I'll paint you a picture, though. With words.

Both air bags are deployed. Dust everywhere. The windshield is completely spider-webbed but intact. CDs are spread all over the dash. The front hood has been tented and the engine is dead. You get the idea, right?