Shaking my head… A couple weeks ago I was in a car accident. I’ve had some fender benders in the past but I had never been in a major car accident until May 16. I had an awful day at work the day before and I was deciding whether or not to call in Saturday. I was not feeling well but we were short staffed and my managers did not want to send me home. At first, my mind was set and nothing could change my mind, until I started thinking about the negative consequences. So I talked myself in to going in to confront my managers before my shift started.

I was driving on my normal route to work thinking about how I was going to approach my managers. That’s when a truck pulls in front of me from the opposing side of the street. He was turning left into a gas station as I was going straight. I immediately honked my horn and planted my foot hard on my brake. He didn’t even acknowledge me! It was like I was invisible! Well of-course it was too late. I T-boned him on his passenger side. I’m not gonna lie the impact hurt… a lot. What makes matters even worse, he pulls away into the plaza damaging my car and jerks me around even more! I see smoke come from the hood of my car and I’m in Grand Theft Auto mode. I get out my car as fast as I can, not even aware that I could be hit by another car in the street. I’m in disbelief I run to approach the driver in fighting mode… again I’m not thinking clearly as this person could be crazy or have a gun. You will not believe what I see. It is an elderly man who was at least 70 years old! I’m confused and I just put my hands up in the air with confusion. “Did you know what even happened? I think to myself. He opens his door and that’s not all! There was something wrong with his leg. I don’t know what exactly was wrong but to me, it looked broken (before the accident). He also had a hospital bracelet on. From what I gathered, this person should not have been driving. I ask him for his insurance information and he requested mine as well. I said “You caused the accident sir.” That is when he says that he didn’t see me and that I was most likely speeding. He also tells me he doesn’t have insurance! I ask him “Do you want me to call the police?” He said yes. I was scared that for whatever reason that the police would side with this man over me. My car was definitely not drivable. I’m a 22 year old living paycheck to paycheck just trying to make it, and I was scared I was going to be stuck with all of the expenses or worse lose the car I worked so hard to get! That’s when the tow truck comes and a guy my age tells me that this man is 100% at fault for the accident and reassured me. He even said he would vouch for me. And he was right the officer gave me the driver’s insurance information (full coverage). That’s when I realize that this man lied to me. It didn’t matter though, because everything was in my favor.

Just a lesson for everyone. I was worried about something so small and I let work get in the way of how I truly felt. You need to put yourself first! Had I called in that day I would not have been in an accident. There might have been consequences but if I was not feeling well enough to work I should’ve stayed home. Second lesson ALWAYS HAVE A CAMERA IN YOUR VEHICLE! It was the best investment I’ve made. Not only did it prove that this man was at fault, it also proved I was not speeding. Which could save victims of car accidents a lot of time, energy, and money! (Luckily I had others vouch for me) Third, call the police to the scene every time! This man was untruthful and let’s say I took matters into my own hands he would not have been held accountable. I was blessed to see another day. I was blessed to be able to get out of my vehicle. Had I not stepped on my brakes and did all I could on my end, the situation could’ve been a lot worse. My car is totaled and it meant a lot to me, it was my first car and I was about to pay it off. However, I’ll get another vehicle but the lesson I learned about my own life was more important. Put yourself first! In this world I’m realizing that some people just do not care and no one owes you anything! Not even the truth. Learn this lesson early! The sooner the better!