That dreaded phone call, late at night... (long)

[Adam]

I'm sitting here now, knocking back some Jamesons Irish Whiskey to settle my nerves, as a result of "the late-night phone call".

My girlfriend, Emma had just left my house at around 10:30pm, as she had an early start tomorrow. It's raining pretty heavily and is very cold outside (winter), so about 10 minutes later when the phone rings, I expected it was her, calling with one of the usual absent-minded questions:

"Did I leave my glasses there?" or "I can't find my scarf, did I forget it?" etc.

Only this time, I hear her hysterical, crying voice. She's had an accident. A big one. She's a little disoriented and can't quite tell me if she's ok or not. I'm already moving out the door, but she can't even seem to tell me where she is. She finally manages to tell me the location, but I'm already half-way there, tracing the route from my place to her place (local). By now, she seems very dreamy and distracted. *****!

By now, I've got my daily driver pulling 10/10ths, doing close to 100mph, trying to get there. I guess I'll get flamed for driving like that, but I having AWD and a deserted 2-lane eachway divided road with no side roads and alarm bells ringing in my head, I just had to get to her. Until you've been in that situation, with a loved one in peril, you just don't know what you'd do.

When I got to the scene, I was horrified. Here's her little '99 Corolla in the middle of the intersection, with a full-sized LandRover Defender 130 buried in her driver's door.

The 20-year old driver of the LandRover is trying to get to her through the window, across his hood. He sees me get out of the car and takes off on foot, clearly distressed.

First thing's first: Check on Emma! She's ok, but stuck in the car. I end up nearly tearing the passenger door off it's hinges and I get her out of the car. She's got some bruising from the seatbelt (no airbag discharge) and console, but mainly she's just shaky and shocky. I'm hugging her fiercely, tears in my eyes. (Completely out of character for me - normally, I'm very manly ) I could hardly let go of her, but finally I put her in my car, with the heat on and see to finding the driver of the Land Rover.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, I've got people all over me, eager witnesses:

"I saw the whole thing, man. She was coming through the green and he just plowed into her! I'll gladly be a witness!"

The driver re-appears; he was hiding from me about 50 yards away and told me he thought I was there to kick his ass. The witnesses weren't about to let him out of their sight. I quiz him on what's happened.

Now, I digress here because in my State, if nobody is injured, the Police are not required at the scene of an accident. We've got several witnesses on their cell phones to the Police and Ambulance services. The driver of the Land Rover, we'll call him "Rob", begs me not to get the Police involved. Turns out he's just the proud holder of a probationary AUTOMATIC licence and he's driving a stick-shift. A big no-no. He's also not displaying his mandatory red-"P" plates to indicate his probationary status. To top it off, it's his Dad's car and he's not insured in it. (Not illegal here to drive uninsured - dammit) Infact, he's not even allowed to be driving this rig. His old man doesn't know he's got it.

I decide to quiz him, but tell him that I'm not in the mood for any wise-ass comments from him. I warn him to be straight-up.

AC: "Have you been drinking?"
Rob: "No! No, nothing to drink."
AC: "Been smoking that *****?"
Rob: "No! I'm telling you, I'm ok."

By this stage, despite Rob's hopes, the Police turn up. Both cars are still in the intersection, which is a surprisingly quiet intersection at the best of times. They swing into action and start interviewing Rob and Emma. She's calmed down now and is back to normal. I'm soaked to the skin, as is Rob.

The cops and I see about moving the cars out of the roadway. Emma's car is pretty badly beat up. I clamber into the driver's seat (she's a 5'5" midget - I'm a 6'2" lump) and somehow break the driver's seat getting into it. I'm still amazed that I could fit in what was left of the cockpit. I start her car, which sounds terrible and drive it off the main road. Meanwhile, Rob has the unenviable task of calling his folks (waking them from their slumber, even) to tell Dad what he's done to the family truck... which he's not supposed to be driving. I'm starting to feel some empathy for Rob, who looks ready to throw himself under the next car that comes along.

The Police breathalize him and he's clear - just a little wound out by the accident.

Basically, we arrange to get her car towed and I remove some personal items from the car that Emma wants me to salvage. Rob's resigned to the fact that he's screwed. Life as he knows it, is over. Emma's insurer had already lodged a no-fault claim by phone, so basically she doesn't pay an excess (deductible) and there's no impact on her rating, but I expect Rob will be hounded to death. Perhaps he'll be able to swing it on his Dad's insurance by paying a huge deductible. It's possible, depending on the Police reports about his licence incompatibilities.

Finally, after the reports and details are recorded, I drive Emma to the hospital for a check-up. She's ok and the doc gives her an anti-inflammatory to help with bruising and soreness in the morning.

Her early start has now become my early start, as I'm going to have to run her to work. No biggie, just frustrating. I'm sure we'll both be cursing "Rob" for weeks to come.

Emma's already sound asleep here at my place and I'm now able to sit here, quietly composing this rant and reflect on what could have been and almost was. I guess I now know what was like (and probably still is like) for my folks, when I'm out driving around on nights like these. You guys with kids have can be assured that you are in my thoughts tonight. I can now say that I know what you're dreading and I honestly hope you guys never, ever get that call.

I'm cold and wet, so I'm off for a hot shower and to bed. Sorry for all the blather and thanks for letting me share. I felt pretty helpless for a little while there and was terrified that I'd lost her for a few painful moments when I arrived on the scene. My mind is alive with "what-ifs" and the soothing Irish is to help me sleep. I'm gonna need it.

Adam - 12:46am

[jm951]

It's good that neither were seriously injured in the accident. Last time we got "the call" my brother in law was in a wreck and was on life support. He made it, but is big time messed up for life. Take care of Emma and let the cops do what they have to.

[Rot 911]

Adam, that was quite a story. Glad Emma is alright although I suspect she will be quite sore when she wakes up. Keep an eye on her to see if she has some new areas of discomfort that she did not have last night. If so, get her back to the doctor for another exam. At least she has insurance to get the vehicle replaced. Sounds like you did a good job of remaining somewhat calm in a very tense situation!

[motion]

Thank God your girl is fine. Car accidents can be nasty. As a father, my greatest fear is getting 'the call' while my son is at his mother's for the weekend. Life is fragile.

[MFAFF]

Sound off as much as you like here mate.

Gald to hear its maily metal for you guys.. Sounds as though our young man will have a tough time in the future.

I have nagging doubt every time my other half is out and about,especially with the little guy in the back. I hope never to have that call.

[Don 944 LA]

Even though the kid driving didn't have any insurance, double check that your GF is medically sound. Sometimes the pains of accidents don't surface till a couple days later.

Glad to hear that she is OK.

[RickM]

Good thing to vent. I'm sure it was traumatic for everyone involved...including you.

Bottom line is everyone is OK....which is great to hear.

As for "Rob", well, he learned an expensive lesson. I'm sure his parents are as happy that everyone is alright as they are mad.

[djmcmath]

Wow. Sorry to hear about that, man. I was in an accident a little more than a year ago -- some uninsured hobo speeding through an intersection, wiped out my Honda beyond any hope of salvage. I still can't turn left without cringing. So keep sensitive to the psychological damage -- I'd anticipate she'll be nervous about driving for quite a while now.

Dan

[Overpaid Slacker]

Whew!
Thank God she's OK; keep an eye on her for the next coupla days, though, and don't hesitate to return to the doc's if anything at all appears wrong.

I might've killed the other driver if my girl had been grievously hurt; fortunately that wasn't the case.

JP

[vash]

wow. damn happy how it all turned out. i got a scotch with you two in mind, tonight.

i would have done the same thing, blasting out the door. EXACTLY, the same thing. dangerous tho. who will pay for damages? how does it work down there?

[arcsine]

The only important thing is Emma is OK.

The car can be replaced and both your nerves will eventually settle. As for Rob, if you can't do the time don't do the crime. He deserves whatever he gets for being irresponsible on so many levels.

[dd74]

Adam: I'm glad everyone is okay. Life and love are definitely irreplaceable. Ironic, isn't it, that this would happen after answering that poll about how fast we drive?

[}{arlequin]

With such a hard side impact, especially when you consider the size/mass of the cars involved, I'd say she's very lucky. You are too. I'm glad she's not hurt.

Just goes to show that even going through a green light you have to look out for careless drivers. When I'm on a bike I assume I *never* have a right of way or anything, just for these kinds of situations.

[trj911]

Wow! I'm glad to hear she is ok! You had me scared!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

That was a scary story, Adam, but I'm glad it came out OK. Keep an eye on her, though, and don't be afraid to visit a doctor again in a few days.

[expat]

Wow, Adam, glad she is ok. What a stress-out for you too!

I get abused by drivers here, when I slow down as I go thru green lights, but it only takes one a-hole to screw up a day/week/year/life. Honk your horns as much as you like idiots, I don't trust a green light anytime!

Hope the insurance works out smoothly and quickly and that she has no recurring injuries either physical or mental.

[dd74]

I think motorcycle cops should also be driver training instructors. For a long time now, I've taken my queue as to how to negotiate an intersection by the way they (the motorcycle cops) behave.

I've never seen one blast from a stop and through an intersection. They always hesitate and look both ways a good couple of moments after their light has turned green.

[Icemaster]

No one will flame you for tearing off like that, no need to justify it. I'm pretty damn sure everyone one of us here would have gone that route. I've been there as well.

Glad she's OK, I'll tip one for you tonight.

All the best.

[1973911s]

Glad she is okay.

Michael

[Rufblackbird]

Adam, sorry to hear something like that happened; I'm glad Emma's ok!