[guilloche]

I'm sorry, I feel like a complete idiot and have no one I can call...

I was driving home on the highway, about 30 minutes, and some guy smashed into the side of my car hard enough to push my car over several lanes.

THANKFULLY - no one else hit me, and my car remained operational...

I pulled over, but he did not stop. Nor did anyone else who witnessed this. Since it was the interstate, I was a bit freaked out and didn't think to call the police or insurance company, and was afraid to get out of the car (didn't want to get hit by oncoming traffic).

I pulled off the next exit, but it took forever to find something other than a house... my car has a little damage, not too bad, but definitely can see the front passenger side got hit, dented, hub cap gone.

I'm shaken up. And, I don't want to do? I am home now. Am I supposed to call 911 from my house (that feels weird and a little scary). The [edited:] non-emergancy police (I don't know if they pick up on weekends)? Or go straight to my ins. company? I wish it wasn't the weekend... I'd call my local ins. agent and ask... but I don't think anyone is in the office on a Saturday.

I'm crying, and I feel like an idiot - mostly b/c I have no one in real life I can call for help and b/c I'm not sure I can even accurately describe where I was to the police (I was following the GPS, made a note of the road I got off on... so just got on google maps to make sure I knew which interstate it would have been.)

*ugh* thanks for any advice... obviously i wouldn't be posting here if i felt like i had even a tiny clue about what i'm supposed to do... other than go hide in bed.

[Maria38Divine]

Please report it to the police. If they can't take the report today, they should tell you when to return. Did you get a look at the car that hit you? Can you give the police a description of the vehicle? I'm hoping that may help since the person didn't stop. Are there cameras on the interstate?

[Yoda]

I have never been driving in an auto accident but I think you should call 911 from your home to report a hit and run.

I think most insurance agencies have a 24 hour number to call but I'm not sure. I'd try though after you talk to police.

[Maria38Divine]

Oh, I'm glad you're physically okay. I know how shaken up you're feeling right now because I've been in an accident before. It's awful. But go ahead and call the police, please.

[guilloche]

Thanks... I didn't get a good look, I was pretty shocked - it felt like something in a dream

I'm trying to figure out how to report it... ok... I'm calling the non-emergancy # on our police website... I'm on hold... let me see if they can give me some advice.

*thank you* - very much - I'm just a little bit freaked out now obviously

[Fresia]

I am glad you are physcially ok. Do what you need to take care of you. If you start to feel differently in the next 24 hours, go the ER.

Do not call 911. Call the non-emergency police number to report it. Depending on the state, being fault or no fault and if the damages are under a certain amount, they may either: come out to your house to complete a report, ask you to come in to file a report, and/or only ask you to contact your insurance company. Most insurance companies will have instructions when you call them even if it is on weekends or after hours, call their number to find out what those are. Meanwhile, do call the non-emergency police number and call your insurance too.

[Maria38Divine]

Try and remember where it happened, approximate time and any details of how the accident happened. Make notes if you have to, so you don't forget.

[kindachaotic]

Most ins co take accident reports 24hrs a day.
If you have comp ins you could get car fixed, after deductible is met.
If you only have liability I suppose your car will remain as is.
Sorry such a bad afternoon.

[guilloche]

thanks... non emergancy # is not picking up... 7.5 min on hold so far.

insurance... yeah, they have a 24-hour line, but that's for the main (big) company - my agents (smaller local folks) have said that i could call them about stuff before calling the big company for help/advice/etc...

ok... 8.5 minutes now (for the # listed for non-emergancy police)... i think they're not open...

[Fresia]

Hang in there, there are just as many important "non-emergencies" as there emergencies.

[guilloche]

Thank you all... I really appreciate the help....

So, my local police didn't pick up the non-emergancy #, after 18 minutes, I gave up and found a "police information" # for the main city...

they told me I needed to call 911 from the scene (which now I know and will do if it happens again) - but gave me the # to the police for that zone to call and let them know.

The police from the zone was helpful. He basically said b/c I didn't get the tag or make/model, he couldn't really do anything (too many "small black cars" driving around, can't ID). He said if I need a report for insurance, I can come in (24 h/day) and file and they'd give me a "damage to property" report, but to try insurance first, since often you don't need that. He was very nice though, and told me safety comes first and he was glad I wasn't hurt.

It amazes me that the other cars around... not one stopped to see if I was ok

My neck is getting a little sore, but I have a good chiropractor who has been very helpful with stuff like this, so I'm sure it'll be ok... I just want to go lay down... but I guess first I'll call insurance.

Thank you guys again... I wouldn't have persisted with calling the police if it weren't for your advice and support... Thanks!

[Maria38Divine]

Well, I'm glad the police were helpful and I'm glad I saw your post when I did, so I could help too. Please make sure to visit your doc as soon as possible. Keeping my fingers crossed that you have no other injuries apart from the soreness. I know you're frazzled still. It will take a little while to get back to calm, but you'll be okay. Hang in there with the insurance too. It can be a trying experience, but don't give up.

[guilloche]

Thanks again Maria38Divine... Sort of surprised/disappointed that the insurance said the claim would increase my payments... (It actually won't, b/c I have accident forgiveness, but it uses up my one accident to be forgiven). I'm surprised since it wasn't my fault!

Anyway, I'm off to take a nap - thank you again! *phew*

[Maria38Divine]

Yeah, that's really such a pity--unfair. Anyway, get some rest.

Big hug again

[healingme4me]

Glad you aren't seriously injured. At least, in reporting to insurance and filing police paperwork, they'll be able to determine you aren't at fault.

Hope your neck feels better.

Sent from my LGMS323 using Tapatalk

[guilloche]

Thanks! I feel much better today... a little more bothered by the fact that I do not have anyone I can call in an emergancy (but still very grateful for everyone here!)

The damage actually doesn't look bad... I'm not sure it's going to even meet the deductible. So, lesson learned - I think I maybe shouldn't have made a claim. But, out of all this, I think getting to talk to the police officer on the phone was the most helpful thing. The thought of having to call 911 and talk to the police scares me silly (no clue why), so talking to someone that was nice, trying to be helpful, and was glad I was ok... hopefully I can hold on to that if anything like this happens again.

Though I hope it never does happen again. What kind of crazy person just plows through another car and keeps going? Yikes!

Thanks!

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by guilloche

Though I hope it never does happen again. What kind of crazy person just plows through another car and keeps going? Yikes!

Thanks!

Somebody without a conscious, under the influence, without car insurance or all three. . Where I live there have been a lot of hit and runs, killing pedestrians as well as hitting cars so they are fighting about raising the penalties of not stopping. What's the debate? You hit and run you spend time in prison, get a hefty fine and lose your license, period.

[Maria38Divine]

Originally Posted by guilloche

Thanks! I feel much better today... a little more bothered by the fact that I do not have anyone I can call in an emergancy (but still very grateful for everyone here!)

Though I hope it never does happen again. What kind of crazy person just plows through another car and keeps going? Yikes!

Thanks!

I hope it never happens again either. I remember a man in a big van was overtaking a long line of traffic. When I saw him coming towards me, I mounted the sidewalk to avoid a collision, but he wouldn't stop and tore up the side of my car. He stopped then and I cussed him out proper.

Anyway, your job now is to identify 1 or 2 people you can call on whenever you need any kind of help with anything--a co-worker, relative, neighbor, whoever you can think of who's within reach. I moved to a new town several months ago. Most of my relatives are far away, and I'm generally a loner. But now I have a number for a neighbor I can call on. We don't hang out or anything, but we call to each other whenever I see him outside. Plus once in a while I call him on the phone to keep the neighborly rapport going.

[guilloche]

Sidestepper: I totally agree, no reason to debate. It's even more insane to me that someone would hit a pedestrian (!!!) and not stop. Unbelieveable!

Originally Posted by Maria38Divine

...I mounted the sidewalk to avoid a collision, but he wouldn't stop and tore up the side of my car. He stopped then and I cussed him out proper.

Wow!!! That must have been scary! Good for you for cussing him out though, I wish I had more of that "fire" to my personality (I'm a bit wimpy!)

Sorry you went through that though... *ugh* for car accidents in general!

Originally Posted by Maria38Divine

Anyway, your job now is to identify 1 or 2 people you can call on whenever you need any kind of help with anything--a co-worker, relative, neighbor, whoever you can think of who's within reach. I moved to a new town several months ago. Most of my relatives are far away, and I'm generally a loner. But now I have a number for a neighbor I can call on. We don't hang out or anything, but we call to each other whenever I see him outside. Plus once in a while I call him on the phone to keep the neighborly rapport going.

Thanks... yes, that's a good idea. I've got phone numbers, but I don't feel close enough to call any of them for something like this.

There's a huge irony here... I had just (Wed) met with a new T (first meeting). One of the things he immediately picked up on was isolation and wanting me to meet more people (or something like that). I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back for a 2nd visit (I'm still not 100% sure how good the fit will be), but after the accident, what he was saying sort of hit me over the head

So, yup, I emailed him this morning for a 2nd appointment. I think the accident was the universe's way of giving me a good hard shove lol!

Oh, and the claims adjuster today was amazing! When I told her what happened, she explained to me that the insurance company shouldn't be putting it in as a collision claim, but as uninsured motorist - and she actually called them from her office to help me get it straightened out!!! I'm sort of in disbelief after the level of helpfulness (I don't know, I think I should send her a thank you card or something!). At any rate, I've filled out the form for ins. company and have sent that to them, so hopefully it all goes smoothly. (The difference for me is $800 vs $250 deductible, plus uninsured motorist *shouldn't* use up my "accident forgiveness" - so huge bonus.)

Thanks!

[Maria38Divine]

Happy to hear that everyone so far has been really helpful and how reasonable the insurance company has been in handling your case. That kind of reception brings comfort after a horrible incident.

And yes, I was shaken up badly after my accident. Even as I was cussing him out, my knees were shaking, but I was so angry I didn't care.

[lizardlady]

Guilloche, I'm late to the discussion. I'm glad things worked out for you. How is your neck? Please don't fool around with neck/back/spine injuries. I ended up with whiplash when a guy bumped into me in a parking lot. Take care, hon!

[guilloche]

Thanks Maria38Divine and LizardLady!

I went to the chiropractor twice this week and got the all-clear. So, all is well on that front.

The car has made me a little crazier than normal... Tuesday night the "check engine" light came on, and I didn't know if it was a delayed reaction to the accident, or just an old car needing attention .

So I brought in... and had to replace a sensor ($$$) AND found out the tires need to be replaced asap as well (the guy said the "wear bars are showing" - I can't see anything unusual, but it seems to be about that time).

Except, I can't get the tires replaced, b/c one of the wheels may be damaged from the accident, so I need to do the other repairs first. And with the holiday today... I assumed the body shops would likely be closed... so I need to call a couple places tomorrow. I'm a little nervous about having to rent a car... but... hopefully I can get it all handled quickly.

Between all this, work, and starting with the new therapist, my brain is just plain tired. I pretty much just slept today - almost all day!