Me at a stop sign + GMC Jimmy going 40 = ouchies
 

Yea, so yesterday my I got hit by a GMC Jimmy while driving in my Focus. I walked away with only some stiffness and bruises. My passenger, too, only had some scratches.

We were traveling down the road. I stopped at a stop sign. Looked, saw no one, and proceeded to make a left turn. Next thing I remember was seeing the grille of this GMC. Apparently sun glare combined with a big ass tree combined with a turn in the road made it impossible to see the car (it was white) coming.

Anyway, I blacked out a lot. I remember my passenger and me crawling out of the passenger side door. Next thing I remember is seeing her (my passenger) on the ground calling someone on her cell phone. I attempted to call someone, but couldn't think of a number. Next memory was of me standing talking to the cop. Apparently most of what I was saying didn't make sense. My girlfriend's mom showed up, and they more or less asked her if I was mentally deficient...that's how unclear everything I was saying was. Anyway, I was taken to the hospital, discharged that night.

Now comes months of legal and insurance hell. If you guys have ever had an experience like this, or have any advice, it would be much appreciated.

*One more thing to add: When the car was towed, the people at the dealership assumed it was a fatal accident from the shape of the car. I was a very lucky person.

glad you are okay.

document document document. and then document some more.

That's for EVERY conversation, every interaction no matter how small.

Go to the doctors. Get the therapy they give you, especially if you are injured.

I cannot possibly agree more. If someone breathes heavy into a phone...document it. Dates, times, who, what...document ev-ry-thing!

Oh...and I also second that "glad you are okay", part. ;)

Glad to hear you're all okay.

Now go get yourself a good pair of Ray-Bans.

Definetly let the doctor have a good look at your neck, back, etc. and get as much therapy as you and your insurance can afford.

wow man that sucks.. i feel bad for you. When i got my license my parents made it clear that if i were to get in an accident.. i might as well not make it out alive. And yes, make sure the doctor checks you clearly. My friend had a pretty bad fall at a soccer game and injured his neck... and the doctor didnt do a very good job. the kid turned out to have a concussion, and it could have been serious if he wasnt informed.

Sue the sun and the tree.

Wow, that sucks. I'm glad you're ok. So who is at fault? Was it a four way stop? Make sure if the tree and all that were really impeding your vision that you take pictures of the area for proof if you go to court. Good luck with everything, it could have been much worse.

Glad you're okay.

I was in a car wreck over 3 years ago now (doesn't seem that long ago at times) and I'll echo everyone saying DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. I also blacked out I guess, don't really remember much. Bits and pieces. Touching my cut eye and saying "Is it raining?" Good times. And the 5 days in the hospital? Good times as well. Anyway, different case, but be sure to keep track of things. Stay on top of your insurance company and make sure they're doing their job.

I was in a car accident, nothing major, but hopefully you can not make the same mistakes I did.

The story was in was about 7am, and I was on my way to the store to buy a lighter. I had a green light at an intersection, I went through it. She runs her red light and I slammed into her rear bumper. Tore off her bumper and some body damage. I lost my headlight, and some minor body damage. If she ran that red half a second later, I would have T-boned her right into the drivers door, and probaly killed her.

So I got out and I was furious. Just at the fact that I could have killed her for her stupid fucking mistake. There was two pedestrians that saw it. Some skater kid, and an 40-ish lady. The skater kid was cool, checked to see if both of us were OK, then left. The lady got it, and said to me that she saw the whole thing and would be a witness. Me, still being furious, ignored her and barely registered what she said. After I calmed down and spoke to some people I knew, the police weren't called and we decided to go through our insurance companies. I totally lost track of the lady, therefore losing my only witness to back up my story.

A week rolls by while the insurance companies go head to head in a no holds barred paperwork fight, I'm thinking she might somehow say its my fault, and I end up being shafted. Good thing though that her and her family were decent honest people. They took the blame, and I didn't need to pay a thing. I got a rental, a Kia Rio (TOO GODDAMN SMALL), and got my car back within a few more days.

Anyways, like the others have said. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. You need to prove things like this if the other driver decides to be a prick. Could twist the story and make you out to be the bad guy.

DOCUMENTS!!!!

Car crashes aren't fun, blacking out is a little wierd too. When I was a kid we got in a head on at about that speed, some whore was left of center and smashed us to oblivion. Things are going on, you're doing stuff, but you're not really there, strange. I only remember sitting on a bench in front of someones house, how I got there is a total mystery.

first off.......you're okay....that's what counts.

i was hit many years ago.and to go along with documenting everything......don't let the lawyers/insurance people make you "sign" too soon.

they're gonna try and beat you up mentally.......be strong and don't bullshit them.

i took me 4 years of fighting with these types until i finally settled my claim.

good luck and stick to your guns.

Yea, I went and took photos of the car today. It's been snowing, so I don't want to go to the accident scene until the weather clears. I need to show them how the sun was setting and how impossible it was to see another car.

I would upload some of the pics I have, if someone could tell me how. Otherwise, I'm just making sure everything is on the up and up. I only have a few sore muscles, so that's a good thing. I'm just gonna be staring at financial diaster for the next few years. I just hope the other driver isn't going to be a prick about it. After all, it has been almost exactly 72 hours, and I have yet to hear from her insurance company.

Thanks all, for your support.