I Hate Winter! Another Fender Bender!
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
February 28, 2008 6:56pm CST
The roads were really in poor shape when I left for work this morning. It took me nearly 15 minutes to drive what usually takes me 5 minutes. When I left my first client's home I couldn't get out of the road because of ice at the end of the driveway. I put the car in reverse and felt it slide to the right. Slowly I applied the brakes and it came to a stop. I put the car into drive again and the tires spun. When I put the car into reverse the car slide to the right and into a ditch.
I had to climb out of the car because it was at an angle. The walk back to the house was a cold one. Of course I was crying. Damnation I hate it when I can't hold back the tears. When I got back to the house I explained to the client what happened and she asked if I was okay. I assured her that I was fine.
When I called the office and told them what happened they had me call a towing service and have the office charged for the service. I was surprised and relieved to have them offer to pay for the tow. It took them about an hour to get to where I was and tow the car from the ditch. I didn't notice the dent in the right rear quarter panel until about an hour later when I was shopping for another client. It isn't too bad, but it is noticable.
I decided today that I am going to start looking for another car and use this one or the other one we have as a trade-in. I hope to have my insurance company give me enough money to buy a car that has 4wd. As I travel so many dirt roads that aren't always in the best of shape, I need a reliable car that can get me through. My worry is that my rates will go up as a result. I have to call tomorrow to see if this is something that can be done.
4 people like this
20 responses
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
29 Feb 08
Sorry that happend. Glad you are ok. I am no fan of winter either. But it can happen any time. My mom was recently in an accident. She lives in Florida. And a tourist from Quebec in a HUMMER of all things rear ended her. Back of moms car is all but gone.No ice just a jerk. Because the person doesn't live in the US insurance company said it can take up to 2 years for anything to be done. So my mom will have to get car fixed on own. Ice is dangerous. Could have been worse. Glad again you not badly hurt.
@mari61960 (4893)
• United States
5 Mar 08
Boy that really stinks about your car and getting stuck. Well at least your company paid for the tow and you weren't hurt. I hate that pile of ice and snow that you get at the end of a driveway when they plow the roads. My mom got stuck at the end of our drive a few weeks ago and almost got slammed by a plow truck...luckily she was able to get of the road and it didn't hit the car. I hope you are able to get a good car with 4WD soon.
Blessed Be, Mari
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
5 Mar 08
Oh dear...how bloody awful for you my friend. Life can throw some curly ones...I think you're marvellous just attempting to drive in those conditions...I wouldn't be game even if my job depended on it.
As for insurance, try shopping around, you 're not the only one having accidents, you're not exactly at fault and the insurance companies are probably very competitive at the moment.
It was so good of your work to pick up the bill for the tow...you work for a great business, that's for sure...how long has it been now...it must be close to 9 months?
Hope things are looking better for you...I'm a ways behind and trying to catch up .
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
1 Mar 08
It's good that it wasn't worse than it was and that you were able to get the help you needed. When I lived up North my Dad and most everyone around there put chains on their cars and trucks b/c of all the snow. I don't know where you live but it may be an option for your area. My Mom has a 4wd jeep and it still gets stuck in the winter here in Missouri.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
3 Mar 08
It sounds like you have a really nice place of work to do all that for you. Everywhere I've worked, they just told me to call my triple A if I had it.
My husband loves his 4wd. He hasn't had trouble getting out of our driveway all winter. I was constantly getting stuck, so we traded places, my car couldn't make the turn out of the drive and his truck can.
I used to work as a home tutor, every couple of hours, I had to travel yucky roads and go in and out of unplowed, partially plowed, and weirdly plowed driveways. That and wood heat, then electric heat, then forced air, etc. felt like all different temps plus reheating my car. I was cold all the time.
The great thing about working at PetSmart as a demonstrator for a dog food company is that if the weather is bad, I can just call in. The problem is that then I have to find ways to make up the money. But unlike when it was teaching or human services, I don't have to get a sub! I also don't have to worry that someone won't get fed if no one shows at someone's house, or staff will be in danger from working too many hours and making the wrong decision or a mistake that could make a person "go off." Besides once I called in and they told me Pet Smart was shutting down in an hour anyway! I so love less pressure.
Hang in there, winter is almost over. Sounds like up here, if you travel all the time, you need 4 wd. Take care and good luck.
@cortney09 (1345)
• United States
2 Mar 08
I am glad that at the very least you weren't injured. I hope that you are able to find a reliable vehicle with 4wd. The older in years the less your insurance will be, but I am sure that you already know that. My husband and I have one car between us and it's a 92 and we only pay $32 a month insurance. So, I hope your insurance rates don't go up.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157545)
• United States
29 Feb 08
Safety has no price, you need to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your clients as well.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
29 Feb 08
I never owned a car so I have not experienced what you have but I can certainly understand your frustration, last week I watched a man spend an hour shoveling so that he could get his car back in his driveway I was tired watching him shoveling, I can imagine how tired this man must have been coming home from a days work and having to shovel an hour before he could in the house to have his dinner.
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I woke up today with more snow and cold. II was traveling yesterday over 20 miles of bad roads after winter.
I couldn't believe how bad are all streets.
I have never see as roads here in Chicago for over 15 years.
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I'm so sorry this happened to you, elusivebutterfly. You have had a rough time this winter. Thank God you weren't hurt and this was only a minor fender bender. I agree, I hate winter too! As soon as I see one flake fall from the sky I won't drive. I get too scared!
1 person likes this
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I know how you feel. We had a lot of snow yesterday, and I got stuck in the driveway trying to get out. I was out trying to shovel myself out for a while until my back started to hurt. I gave up and came in, totally frustrated. My husband was able to get my car out at least. It gets worse every winter. I really hate the feeling of being stranded out here.
That's nice your office paid for the tow. It's still such a hassle. I hope you find a nice 4wd that's safe and dependable. You really need one.
1 person likes this
@Feona1962 (7526)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I am just glad that you are alright..I know what you mean about driving the back roads..When I did In Home Care, I too had to drive out in the boonies..I hated driving them in the winter....Don't worry about crying, I've done my share, sometimes I couldn't find the consumer's home and would panic because I didn't want to be late, even though I started out early enough...Spring will be here soon enough and I hope you do get a 4wd...for next winter...
1 person likes this
@pankajlot (252)
• India
29 Feb 08
i dont think the same as you do man you are
the first one i have ever seen who says
i dont like winters,as far as i am concern
i really hate summers and i love be at the cool places
when summers arrive,i usually go to hill areas.
anyways thank you very much for your post.
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I am so sorry, you sure have had troubles this winter on the road. Just think its almost March, Spring is getting closer and closer. THINK SPRING!! I am truly happy that you are ok. Take care and be careful on the roads. That was really nice of your company to pay for the tow. It was also good that it happened close to where you could get inside out of the cold. Good luck with the insurance company.
1 person likes this
@bfarrier1 (2082)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I am glad your alright I hate Winter too and there is only 20 days until Spring thank God,I have ended up in the ditch before myself so I know where your coming from there it isn't fun and awful scary I did circles before hitting the ditch,I didn't even know what direction I had come from for a minute I was confused.It has iced here at least once a week for the past month,I am very tired of winter.Again glad your ok.Have a nice day!
@greensleeve (88)
• China
29 Feb 08
may everything is ok.although there're certain inconvenience in winter,i still like the feeling of winter.the snowflake flowing down,it appears pure and natural view.ice is the worst view in winter.as you said,it maked our drive more difficult,maybe it brought us unexpected expense.in a word,Be careful in winter.
good luck!
@jhl930 (3601)
• United States
29 Feb 08
Wow that really isn't good...I know what you are talkign about though it seems that every winter it seems like more and more people aren't watching what their doing or that the roads or too bad or something like that...I mean i wish that there was a place where you could go where it was impossible for people to get in wrecks!
@Deea48 (1166)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I can relate, I drove home in a fresh batch of snow tonight myself, on the way home from work, during rush hour too. Arghhhhh, I just want this winter to be done, done, done.. Glad you were ok, and real nice of your job to foot the bill. 4 more weeks and this should be a memorie. Take care hun. Know you are not alone.
@above31rubies (1863)
• United States
29 Feb 08
I hear ya on the weather driving! Thankfully, hubby bought me new tires last week. Now my minivan rides much better.
I had a scare today due to winter roads: A car in the oncoming lane started fishtailing when he had to stop for a car waiting to turn left. He ended up crossing the center line. He was still sliding but it happened so fast all I could do without risking losing control of my car was keep going straight. I missed hitting his back end by about 6 inches! It was nothing short of a miracle that no one ended up hit as there were 3 other cars in the immediate area beside me and him.
Yes, definitely ready for summer. (I think springtime will bring mud to our driveway...sigh.)
1 person likes this
