CSI: Portland

First of all, I am okay, I thank God that I am alive and walking around!

On the way to Fred Meyer to buy toilet paper and ice cream after youth group on Wednesday night, I was in an accident. A not so good accident...a head on collision. It went something like this: (Scroll below for pictures)

I was driving in the left lane heading North and there was a guy behind me in the right lane. There was a car heading South in her left lane. She had her left-turn light on and begun to turn left into my lane. I was going 35-40 and realized that she wasn't slowing down or turning away so I slammed on my brakes.

All I remember was seeing that we were going to hit, and hit hard...then I'm rolling forward and my ears are ringing. I see that I'm rolling slowly toward the curb now so I hit my brakes again and stop.

I look around. I'm starting to hear okay again. Something smells really bad. What is that? Woah! Is that my air bag?! Check my teeth, my face...hmm my nose is bleeding a little. Arms? Yeah they move, legs? Yup, them too. Okay. Thank you God that I am alive and don't seem to be too hurt!

I look around and see the gal's car now turned 180 degrees toward the North. I better get out I think. I walk over to their car. She and her passenger are moving around and look alive.

When they hit me, they shoved my car into the right lane and I hit the guy who was behind me and to the right. He also seems to be moving around just fine.

So I go back to the gal's car and ask if they are okay. They don't really say much but look hurt. I call 911 and within 40 seconds, there was a police officer there. The ambulance came next.

I called Alison and told her I was okay, but had been in an accident. She asked where and I told her just to keep driving...you can't miss an ambulance and 3 police cars.

After we were all checked out I walked the crime scene. I looked at the skid marks, thinking about CSI and how they would investigate. You can clearly see my straight skid marks in my lane suddenly jetting off at a 45 degree angle at the point of impact.

Then I noticed somebody's windshield laying on the street. No way! Somebody's windshield popped out?! I walked back to my car and realized it was mine as I put my hand through where it used to be!

So two days later, I still have a sore neck and nose from where the airbag hit me. And now I'm looking for a new car. The other driver's insurance company claimed responsibility so there has been no hassle in dealing with them. In fact, if I ever leave Country Insurance, I'll take a look at Progressive.

It was just a car. But it's no fun having to shop around again. I am most thankful that I am alive.
One final note, I realized how much of a blogging nerd I am with this accident. Here was the order of events:

Crash, Thank God I was alive, get out and check on other people, call 911, call Alison, think about how to get a camera to post the scene on my blog....

These were taken the next day at the towing yard.

The Front End

Safety Equipment is Good

My new "See-through" hood

Side View

Probably not going to work real soon

My removable windshield