The relationship with my car comes to an unfortunate end.
I’ve written about my car many times with a somewhat bittersweet emotional attachment. I thoroughly love my car and had I never moved away from Wisconsin, I would never have a reason to complain about it. It’s one fault is terribly obvious during Maryland summers – it doesn’t have air conditioning. Even when baking in July, I still realize that I am very passionate about my car and our adventurous 9-year relationship.
I’m afraid that relationship has come to an end – all that the fault of an outside party. I was in an accident today that caused significant damage to my poor car. I was driving towards home, almost at the stoplight near my house, when a truck ran into me as he was turning left out of a parking lot. Since the light was red, a large work truck had left a gap so that he could make his turn. He didn’t see me coming along in the left-turn lane. I can say that I was probably fortunate that there was no oncoming traffic and I was able to swerve somewhat when I saw him heading toward me, this probably save me some additional injury and more sever damage to my car, but it was still enough that the car is no longer drivable.
We got out of the way of traffic, called for a police collision report, and exchanged all the necessary information. It wasn’t until I got home (just a mile from the accident) and further contemplated the damage that the impact of this accident struck me. My car is 10 years old and has 155,000+ miles on it. I’m certain the damage exceeds the value of my car and I’m already preparing myself for the fact that the other driver’s insurance company will most likely claim that my car is totaled and just offer me the value of my car (which is only about $2,000). This won’t be enough to fix the car, nor will it be enough to replace it either.
So, right now, I’m taking it easy as my body is starting to show some aches and pains from the impact. And I’m trying to not totally fall into despair over my car. Also, I’m trying to figure out what I need to know to get the maximum value for my car as well, since I’m 95% certain that the insurance company will total it out.
Other posts on the fun of owning your vehicles outright and making decisions based on that.