Rear End Accident

Today (December 29) our car was rear-ended while we were waiting to make a left turn in a parking lot. We were stopped foe quite some time waiting for a lady in a blue pick-up to make a u-turn when suddenly we were hit.

My neck snapped back and the clip that was holding my hair in the middle of my head, hit the seat and added to the impact on my head.  My back and hips hurt but I undid my seat bely and jumped out as quickly as I could before my back could seize-up.  I was holding the back of my head trying to feel for a bump, cut, blood ... whatever might be there.  Feeling sore, I sat back down in my seat.  A woman came and checked the back of my head for blood.

Meanwhile, the woman who was driving sat in her vehicle and a small boy of 10 or 11 came out, told me everything is ok and they were leaving.  By the time the police, firemen and ambulance arrived, I was more concerned with the little boy dealing with this.  I was also concerned for his mother who told me she is a widow with 5 kids.  I felt so bad for them and told them I'm going to the hospital as a precaution because of my degenerative disc .

Anyhow, I was immobilized and strapped down to a very hard, bumpy board.  That's where I was going to stay for the next two or more hours.  At the hospital, I was x-rayed, given a prescription for pain reliever with anti-inflamattory properties, told to use cold compresses for the next few days and get lots of rest.

While at the hospital, I found out the other driver does indeed have a husband who came to the scene and offered my husband cash (which he declined).  Also found out the woman only has a G1 and isn't supposed to drive without a licensed driver in the vehicle.

Our car has damage and there will be a 300 dollar ambulance bill but if we go through our insurance, they will go after the woman's insurance company who in turn will cancel her policy and make it impossible for her to ever get insurance.  I feel very bad for this woman even though she lied repeatedly at the scene.

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January 4


Update:
Because the driver who rear ended our car only has a G1 and wasn't accompanied by a fully licensed driver, we decided it would be in her best interest to have her pay for the damage on her own rather than put in a claim through the insurance.  My hubby spoke to her through an interpreter, explained that we don't want her life screwed up over this and told her how much it would cost for repairs through the authorized dealership.   She told my husband that she wants him  to take her   to a garage that belongs to a friend of hers and get an estimate there ....

To recap:  She begged, cried, gave a sob story and offered cash at the scene if we don't call the police.  Unfortunately, I was injured and it was necessary to call for an ambulance and the police that showed up were not happy with the numerous lies she gave them.

Anyhow, yesterday we went and gave the information to our insurance company and decided this is the best way to go.  It's a shame you can't be nice to people without getting taken advantage of.