hit by a semi today...don't anyone ever nag me about my SUV!!!

[Rock'n Robin]

Today I was getting off of one highway onto a 4 lane--I was in the far left lane on the off ramp--a semi was in the middle lane--the light turned yellow and I slowed and stopped--he floored it and turned left as it went red--he basically peeled the metal off of the passenger side of my 2002 trailblazer, breaking the glass out of the front window completely and leaving the side mirror in the front seat. Guess he misjudged the turning radius or something. He did stop a few hundred feet down the road and was cited by the local PD.
Good things:
1) we stopped 2 feet short of a sign pole or my airbags would have gone off
2) DD#1 is at church camp or she would have been sitting in that seat covered with safety glass
3) DD#2(9) and DS(6) were in the back seat and no windows broke there, although they were pretty hysterical (you wouldn't believe the loud grinding sound a semi catching hold of your SUV makes)
4) My cellphone was thrown to the floor but I have onstar and used it to call the PD--they also sent paramedics although only I have a few big scratches on my leg from glass. The paramedics gave the kids each a teddy bear and told DS (who loves safety officers of all kinds) he can stop by anytime.
5) a nice guy behind me stopped to help, a nurse stopped by, and a bus driver had the plate # of the truck in case he bailed.
And last of all, THANK GOD I HAVE AN SUV AND NOT SOME LITTLE POP-CAN OF A CAR or the kids would certainly have been hurt, esp. DS. I have been considering downsizing but not anymore!! I'll pay for the gas in return for the safety.
Now I have DH's avalanche and he has his old 1992 stepside--I have rental car coverage but want to see what the adjuster says first; there is a $30 daily limit with a $750 total. I go back to teaching 3 weeks from tomorrow and it may not be done by then by the looks of it.
Robin M.
PS--the Captain Mickey antenna topper is OK although the antenna was bent--I took him off for safekeeping.

 

[Olaf]

I hear you. I hold my breath everytime I pass one of those monsters in my little car. Maybe a bike flag would help.

Glad to hear you're OK.

 

[alabamaalan]

I'm so glad you and your family are safe Robin. I know how scary that must have been to the kids.

I proved the indestructability of a '78 Impala more times than I should mention....

 

[figment52]

Wow - I am happy you are all ok. You must have pixie dust in your pocket.

Not to downplay the seriousness of it all BUT glad Mickey was not harmed either.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Don't worry figment, it doesn't downplay it at all--in fact you'd have been surprised how quickly the kids asked about Capt. Mickey. I am so blessed that everyone is OK. I just need a major nap.
Robin M.

 

[GoofItUp]

Glad everyone is ok.

And, I, too am glad I drive an SUV and DH drives an F250. Hearing stories like this make it worth it!

 

[Pooh67_68]

So glad no one was hurt.

 

[kimwim8]

I'm glad eveyone's ok. Isn't Onstar great? I just renewed my contract with them. Haven't had to use it yet, but just knowing it's there is worth the money, as I'm sure you'll now agree!

 

[dennis99ss]

FYI, It sounds like his insurance should be paying not yours. As a result, it should not matter what kind of rental car per day rate you have under your policy. You shouldn't have to use it. You should attempt to have him pay for the rental, directly. Also, you should be entitled to a like vehicle, and not be forced to take a mini. It does not matter what limits are on the other side(unless he has minimal limits--but that is a different story--plus this sounds like a company truck), as the rental payment portion would likely come out of the liability portion of his policy

 

[Kitty 34]

So glad you're alright!!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

OMG, that is awful and great at the same time. I am always afraid (especially here in SC-the "run the red light" capital of the world) that when I stop for a yellow or even red light that someone is going to run over me. I actually check my rearview mirror when I stop so I can brace myself in case some idiot thinks I am going to run the red light and then he can go, too. (and usually the guy in back of him, too!)

Yours is a prime example of why I will NOT give up my SUV. I know it's ecologically unsound, cost preventive, gas guzzling, damage causing. But, what I always want to ask someone who objects to an SUV is this.....(Not to knock Mini Cooper's-they sure are cute) If your family was in a car accident involving a Mini Cooper and an Expedition, which car would you want THEM to be in?? I refer to little cars like that "death traps".

It's a no brainer for me...My family comes first, and until they can get rid of ALL the big cars, trucks, semis, etc, I want my family in a big ole' tank...The more metal, the better.

I am so glad that you were in your SUV. Thank God you and yours are OK...

 

[leahannpen]

Holy-schmoly! Thank God you and your children are okay!~How terribly frightning!!!

Glad you have the Onstar (have always wondered about this...one point for Onstar!) and a phone, and helpful people and a larger car! Whew!!

 

[Sandy V.]

So glad you and your family are okay.

I know that semi-trucks are a necessary traffic evil - but I try and avoid them like the plague.

It doesn't help when they seem to drive so agressively now, as compared to 10 years ago. They tailgate horribly here in Colorado, and swerve in and out of traffic. I especially hate the ones with TWO trailers on the back - how on earth can they effectively control it?!!?

Edited to add that Dennis99ss is correct - the trucker's insurance should cover the cost of the rental, and you should be entitled to a "like" vehicle from the rental agency. I had to argue with an insurance company about this several years ago, because, as a soccer mom, I needed a mini-van for carpool instead of the subcompact they tried to force on me. I won that battle!

 

[mtblujeans]

I am so glad to hear you are all alright. What a frightening thing to have to go through!!

That is why I drive a Suburban. I completely agree with you about the cost of gas vs feeling of safety! I got hit a couple of years ago in an extended Plymouth minivan. I was stopped and turning and a young man came up behind me doing 80 mph (turned around talking to his passenger) and plowed into the back of me. The force of his speed knocked me into oncoming traffic, hitting a Jeep and rolling him into the ditch on the other side of the road. That minivan looked like an accordian when all was done. I was alone that day, thank God, as any passengers would have been killed. The only seat that was still intact was the driver's seat and I broke my back. I have NO PATIENCE with fast or reckless drivers....it is not worth it!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Glad everyone is okay! Accidents are so scary, I've been there... hope insurance issues are handled quickly and easily as well.

 

[DMickey28]

I glad you and the kids are ok....

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good to hear you were all okay, Robin! What an experience!!!!

 

[doxdogy]

I am so sorry about your accident. I am glad that no one was seriouly injured. I happen to drive a pop can of a car and I swear I think I am going to trade it in for a tank!

 

[dizagain]

How frightening!! I'm SO glad you and your children are o.k. I've been there before and I can still remember the feeling of being afraid to turn around and look at my girls. Hope the insurance dealings go smoothly for you and I hope the children aren't too shaken.

 

[meeshi]

Robin, I'm glad you're all ok. That must have been so scarey!