Rear Ended
Philadelphia, PA
Spring 2011
I am stopped at a traffic light. There is a truck in front of me with two ladders protruding from either side of the vehicle. I look out my rear view window and notice that the approaching car does not seem to be slowing down to stop. I panic. I can't vie off to the right for fear that this car will hit me just as I am in the way of being impalled by one of the ladders. I put the car in park and brace myself. Sure enough, there is a hard, immediate thud from the rear. My feet fly off the breaking lunges froward but the traffic begins to move and I avoid hitting the car in front of me.
A woman jumps out from the car behind me and she is filled with apologies. A cop shows up out of nowhere. He watched the whole thing and is ready to bounce on this woman for her negligence. She is unnerved and a bit frazzled as she answers his questions. He walks away and fills out reports. I am left alone with this woman who doesn't know how to proceed next. Her AAA membership has expired so she doesn't know who to call to tow her car away. It looks as if her car is totaled but she is unsure if she should call her insurance company. Se has had a few accidents and she is afraid she will loose her insurance if this accident is reported. I mention to her that my insurance company will be contacting her company.
"Oh yea, I caused the accident, I'm responsible for you too, Right?"
I suggest she call AAA and beg them to extend her membership. She does and they do. Someone will be there in an hour to tow her somewhere. I suggest she calls a friend or a family member and she does and someone agrees to come get her. I suggest she call her insurance agent and she does and he tells her where to tow the car. After this last call,she turned to me as says, "Im so glad you are here. You've been so helpful. I don't know what I would have done without you. Thanks. I mean it."
I have an urge to punch her and mention that I wouldn't be here if she hadn't been texting while she was driving. I don't mention that I am only here because she ran into my damn car. I begrudging take the high road and a copy of my police report. I duck-tape my bumper and take off.
