There's a freak blizzard heading through Oklahoma at the moment and I thought I'd head up to Stillwater (an hour's drive) to visit the girlfriend. It was nothing major when I left -- just medium rain, but it was quickly getting cold. Before I left, I talked with her mom and I arranged to pick up the gf's laptop since it just returned from a hard drive cleaning. So I'm southbound on the highway, heading under a bridge where the road conveniently bends and a pool of water was collecting.
I hit the pool at an angle and started to hydroplane. A thousand thoughts went through my head -- this could be the end, what if someone hits me, what if the bags don't deploy -- and it seemed to take forever. The airbag deployed at just the right moment and I had enough time to brace for impact. My car stopped, facing south, in the center of the 2-lane highway. I remember thinking, "Oh fuck, I think I'm OK." My nose was a little sore from the bag, but I did a quick mental inspection of myself and I felt fine. The car soon filled with smoke and I couldn't breathe, so I opened two windows and started to get out. A truck sped by on my side, so I looked back out the window -- luckily, there weren't many people on the road. I hopped out and started directing traffic to the opposite side of the road after I hit the emergency lights.
Once traffic died down a bit, I tried to move my car to the shoulder, but it wouldn't budge. So I stayed outside for a bit and called the gf's mom. I was still pretty exasperated but my thoughts were clear -- a good sign. She started heading my way. A state trooper arrived behind me and helped move traffic around. Another trooper showed up about 10 minutes later and boosted me to the shoulder. I had barely sat down in his cruiser and explained what happened when a truck driver knocked on his window. He explained that another, bigger accident occured about 200 ft. behind us and they needed help. The cop freaked out and looked at me. I told him I was fine and I had someone coming to get me, so he sped off. After chatting with my dad for a bit, I started the car. It was as if nothing happened; it drove great. I took it to a nearby gas station, met up with the gf's mom and we slowly took the frontage road to my house. Long story shortened somewhat, I'm fine but I'll need a new car before Monday to get to work. The car is technically totaled. There's nothing more sobering that being in an accident, I've discovered.
I've always prided myself on being an excellent and cautious driver, so this is a sad day.
If you guys wanna chip in and get me a Japanese Xbox 360 or mod my PS2, I'm totally down.
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.....broken both ankles twice each(seperate times) dislocated my shoulders countless times ...broekn most of my fingers at least once and my left thumb is so fucked up now if i put weight on it to get up or lift something the wrong way it pops out of the joint....but i have been skating since '92
