Accident

So I have been driving since I was 18.  I am now 31.  My car is a 2001.  It will be 8 in February.  Never had a crash.  Never even a fender bender.  Until yesterday.

I was driving to my parents house and all was going awesomingly well.  My cat had been quiet in the car and seemed to be handling the traveling better then she had the last time so that made me feel much better and hoping that she would be ok for further travel.  I was within a handful of miles from my parents house and was getting off the highway and moving up the ramp.  I slowed down a lot because the weather had been getting worse.  But as I got to the stop sign my car decided to not follow the rules.

My car slid right through the stop sign and as I looked to the right there was a small SUV coming but it had it's turn signal on but then I looked to my  left and all I saw was a HUGE Dodge pick up truck coming at me.  I said "no no no no" over and over and thoughts went through my head all at once including "I will have to wait until my parents get out of church before calling my family..." and "Bella is going to get hurt.......I can't have her get hurt".  I turned the wheel, the car sliding a bit to the side.  The truck missed me but turning to the right going around the back end as the back end of my car slid a bit out of the way. 

My car slid into a snow bank and stopped.  The man got out of the truck and came running up the road to make sure I was ok.  I got out, shaking horribly and began apologizing to him.  He told me it was no big deal and that it was good that he had seen me and that he missed my car.  He checked the front end of my car and said my lights were working and there didn't seem to be HUGE damage.  He asked if I needed to be pushed out and I got back in and put my car in reverse and it backed right out of the snow bank with no problems.

Now granted, I know people have been in far worse accidents but this was my first accident ever and it scared me pretty badly.  I drove back home, put my cat at my parents house and went to church.  My family was surprised I was there and worried that I was having a hard time not crying but I got through the service then told my brother first.  He gave me a long hug and told me that all that mattered was that I was ok.  After a bit my family looked at the front end of my car to assess the damage.  My front left light is knocked a bit out of  place but the lense isn't shattered nor is the side light.  The area over my front left wheel is buckled a bit but not noticable unless you know it is there.  Then the front lower bumper area is cracked a bit but again, not noticable....at least right now.

I did put in a claim to insurance and I am now waiting for a call back. 

I guess the big thing is that I am fine and my car is fine.  No one was hurt and although I do have seat belt marks on my neck and my neck and back are a bit sore, I am alive and my car is drive-able.  I am working on getting an appointment to hopefully get my car back before I head back home.  So let's hope that all works out with the insurance.  Just wanted to give you all an update of my already active and busy vacation. 

During the Christmas season, just remember to take your time and be careful.  Even if you aren't in an icey area, people are so busy wanting to get things done, to get to the next place, to feed the loud kids in the back seat, to do this and to do that.  Take your time, be aware of your surroundings and just...be careful.  If you are in an icey area or a place where there is snow please be careful there as well.  No matter how great a driver you are, when you hit ice you are in for the ride.  Please be careful and take care of yourself and your loved ones.