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Thursday, July 26, 2012

*&%#*#

Today it was hot again.  Nearly 100 for the millionth day in a row.  I know it is hot everywhere, so no one wants to hear me talk about that.  My Mom had a doctor's appointment today and I wanted to be with her for it.  So, she left her house and I left my house and we would meet there.  And, from the time she left until I left, a HUGE storm came out of nowhere.  The temperature dropped to 68 degrees and it rained and rained.  Which is a good thing.  Something we needed so badly.  

I like to stay off the Interstate and I am a big fan of "back roading" it whenever we go anywhere.  I was on my normal route to the doctor when the storm came up, so I pulled off the road for a minute for it to clear up.  You could not see twenty feet in front of your car.  It cleared up a bit, so I sent on up the road.  The road I usually take was closed for construction so I had to detour through a residential area and that brought me out on the road I needed to be on, but farther out that I wanted to be.  But, I had to take that road, go down to the light, go down that street then back track to the street where the doctors office is located.  But, i never got that far.  I came over the crest of a hill and the traffic was really thick because of the re-routing.  The traffic was backed up, but I had time and room to stop, so I applied my brakes.  The car stopped, but it kept on going.  I was sliding straight for the car in front of me.  I had time to see there were cars coming towards me in the other land, so I couldn't go that way or I would be hit head one.  And, if I took the ditch, the car would flip over because it was so deep.  So, I had to watch us slam into that car. 

 I did the good Mom thing and braced my baby in the seat next to me.  :)  He was okay except for a red mark on his neck from the seat belt.  I was fine.  The lady I hit was fine.  The guy she hit was fine.  Both of their cars had very, very little damage.  But, since I hit them, it's my fault according to the ticket I got.  It was raining so hard and it was on a hill so the water was just pouring down the street.  I stopped the car, but the car didn't stop.  It was an accident.  I am just sick about it.  The Officer kept asking The Bean his name and birthday at random times whenever he passed by.  I guess he thought maybe he was driving, but the lady said she saw "the lady in the red car coming at her".  :(   The Bean took care of me and was really worried about me.  When it was all over and they towed the car away, he broke down.  He is such a strong kid for him Mom.  But it upset him to see my upset, knowing I was worried about my Mom, the ticket, the money, the car, etc.  I love that boy.  

The ironic thing was that I was just talking to him about driving in the rain and being so careful and watching out for the other guys.  Then, BAM.  I had also just expressed a wish for a rain coat.  Who knew I was getting ready to stand in the rain for the next hour and a half.  

Now I have a Court date and I don't know what that means (I know I have to go to Court).  But, golly, it was an accident.  The Officer sort of hinted that maybe it wouldn't go on my record because of the rain.  But, he also mentioned "fighting the ticket with a Lawyer".  I'm not fighting it, but it was an accident.  I wasn't speeding or driving carelessly.  I hydroplaned - plain and simple.  The Officer said there were wrecks all over.  I don't want to plead "Guilty" or pay a ticket if I don't have to, but the thought of Court really freaks me OUT.  Anyone else been through this?  I is skeered. 

*For the record, my Mom's appointment went fine - she could have received some potentially scarey news, but she is FINE.  And, that is worth a smashed in car any day.  

**Edited to add - The adjuster called.  My insurance may go up, but only a tiny bit.  I don't have to go to court.  Just pay the ticket and forget about it.  In AR, if you hit from behind, you get a ticket - no getting out of it.  Pbbttt.  The car is going to be fixed like new.  I hit someone with the same insurance company as me, so as a weird and wonderful "reward" my deductible is waived - how insane and fabulous is THAT?  Enterprise is picking me up at 1:00 in my spiffy little Chevy Aveo.  We don't have to pay a deductible, free rental car, towing is paid and the car will be fixed with zero out of pocket.  Yeah, Shelter!  So, today is a BRAND NEW DAY!

20 comments:

  1. so sorry about your accident but glad everyone is fine.
    I just hope you have good insurance. I guess I don't get what the ticket was for.
    Cathy

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  2. Every state is different, but I assume your state is NOT a no fault state, which is why you were ticketed. Same way here in MO, you crash, someone gets a ticket.

    I dont know why on earth you have to go to court though? Here you just pay the fine unless you didnt have proof of insurance or your drivers liscence (on you). Then you have to go see the judge. Which I had to do once. (My insurance card in my wallet was expired, but I did have valid insurance.) It meant I just sat in court for a bazillion hours for nothing really. When it was my turn I showed them a valid card, I was sent to some lady to pay my fine and off we went.

    I will tell you that when you call the court ahead of time (I was nervous too!) the lady here told me to wear underwear. LOLOLOL It's a high class kind of place.

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  3. Also - try asking your insurance man? They certainly know what the court thing is for in your state.

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  4. I'm so sorry, Shara! What a headache. I'm glad you and the Bean are OK. NY is a lot different, I'm sure, but I've known a lot of cops, and they are pretty much not going to leave the scene of an accident without giving out a ticket. It's just the way the system works. I'd check with your insurance company for sure, and try to get some information from the court...my son had a really similar accident, and the ticket turned out to be $85, which was a lot less than a lawyer. Good luck....

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  5. Shara,
    So Happy to hear you and the Bean are all right...and your Mom too. I think that the advice about enlisting the help of your insurance agent is very sound. That way you won't have to guess and stress when your agent can tell you exactly what to expect. Good luck from me too...

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  6. Oh no! I'm so glad everyone is okay (including your Mom.) I've had a fender bender but there was no ticket involved, different state laws I guess. When I was hit by a car here in NY the guy didn't even get a ticket for that because this is a no fault state and I wasn't in a vehical. (Um okay, well he ran a stop sign, that should be a ticket) Anyway, I say call your insurance agent and get their input, that is what you pay them for!

    GOOD LUCK! (and that Bean is a gem)

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  7. I think in the South the states need to get every penny they can so no matter the reason or fault someone is going to wind up paying. I wouldn't know about "no fault" since every accident we've been in has either been my fault or the hubby's. I'll bet if you plead your case regarding the hydroplaning thing you'll get excused. Good luck!

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  8. Sounds like the law may be similar to Colorado - if you hit the back of a car in front of you, you get a ticket no matter the circumstances. One time a guy ran into the back of me at a stop light, which pushed me into the car in front of me and I got a ticket too - although it got worked out without court.
    Wait and see if you get a letter before your court date, sometimes they will let you pay a fine instead of going to court. Even if you have to go, just take a copy of what you have written here as you have explained it well. Hugs to you, and kudos to your fine son for taking care of his Mom. PS - glad to hear that your Mom's doctor appointment turned out well.

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  9. Oh Shara I am just so glad everyone is OK. I hate heavy rain when driving it is dangerous. I think everyone has given you good advice and I hope it all turns out well. Also glad you Mom's Dr appt was a good one. Now try to take care of yourself and The Bean...what a good kid you have. Hugs, Linda

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  10. I love reading your blog. I'm sorry you had this accident, how scary. I think you did all the right things. If you have to go to court, look at it as your chance to explain what happened for the record. perhaps you must be legally held responsible but with an understanding judge the fine might be waived.

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  11. Not a nice thing to happen, but glad that no one was hurt. High five to The Bean for being a good support for you...

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  12. sucks when bad things happen to nice people.

    You know your junkin will be limited with that Aveo, they are SMALL. I know you will go thrifting, you will need the "therapy".

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  13. I've been thinking about you all day! SO glad you and The Bean are safe, even if your poor car is all crunched up. :( The ticket/court thing would freak me out too because I am a rule follower and the ticket would make me feel like they thought I was careless or reckless--even though it was truly just an accident. I hope that it will all be easier than you are worrying that it might be. SO glad your sweet Mom is okay too!

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  14. I'm sorry about your accident too and am glad everyone is OK.

    Glad for the update, that you don't have to go to court. Court is for bad people! You know the reckless, careless people. Not you or anyone that is reading and commenting on your blog!!

    Hopefully you won't be too long without your own car. Give your Mom an extra hug for all of us when you see her next!

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  15. So GLAD you are OK!! Glad to hear your mom's appt went well too! What a relief to be able to skip court and have it all fall into place as far as the deductible and the rental car!! Yikes!!! scary day for you!!!

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  16. Oh Shara, I'm so sorry! Glad to hear no one got hurt. Hope you have a great thrifting weekend to make up for the lousy week. Take care!

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  17. Oh, I got teary reading your post! I'm sorry for your accident--that must've been so frightening and frustrating since there was little you could have done to prevent it. When I was 18 or 19 I hydroplaned into the car in front of me so I know what that feeling is like of not being able to slow your car down in time. I'm glad you were fine and yes, you always get a ticket when you rear-end someone. I know this because I've done it at lesat twice! :) By the way, The Bean sounds like a lovely young man.

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  18. So glad that you're okay. What an awful day.

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  19. Glad you both are OK!

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  20. Hi Shara,
    So sorry to hear of the accident and glad all are well. I love your blog! Listen I am not sure about your states motor vehicle laws but I worked in a municipal court for 8 years. If I were you I would read the ticket to find out the offense that the officer charged you with. Look on the ticket for a number code. When you find the number google it for your states motor vehicle website and find out how many points are attached to the charge. If no points and it is a payable ticket then I would not worry and you could pay it. But understand by signing and paying you are pleading guilty. Here in Jersey careless driving carries 2 points against a persons license. The key is to find out if you are getting points accessed against your license. If so you can plead not guilty, go to court and try to get the ticket amended to a no point ticket by seeing the prosecutor on your court date. Call the court and ask what their process is for pleading not guilty and seeing the prosecutor. This usually costs more but carries nothing against your license. I mean it is worth a try if you have the time and energy to go to court. Don't be afraid of the court it is traffic court not criminal court. It was an accident with a weather situation. I am just saying you should do some research before you make your final decision. And if you decide to just pay it that is not the worst thing either. Your the best I love your blog and visit often.
    Lysa

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