I suck.

[jan_andrea]

Remember that orchestra practice? Well, afterwards, I thought I'd get some Indian food for dinner, since a place just opened up in Durham.  Parking is always a special challenge in downtown Durham, so I was investigating what looked like a promising lot.  After realizing there were no spots to be had, I did a 240-point turn to get out (it's an awful, terrible lot), and was getting ready to turn out of the lot onto the one-way street.  I am always cautious when pulling out into traffic, and on this particular street, doubly so -- visibility is bad, and two lanes come from opposite directions into the one-way street -- the right-hand lane often shifts into the left without a signal, as well.  So I waited until it was completely clear in the left-hand lane (the one I was turning into) and as clear as I could get in the right.  Well, not clear enough.  I'd pulled about halfway out, when out of nowhere came a dark blue Volvo, and the right front of my bumper hit the back door panel of that car.  Crap! 

Well, she got my info, because even though I hadn't seen her, it was certainly my fault.  She called the police so we could sort out the situation, though it appears it wasn't actually necessary since there is really not much to dispute.  The lower back door panel of her car is dented; my hope is that since it's just the one panel, it won't cost too much to replace.  It was lucky that's the car I hit, really, since it's so modular.  On a Honda, they'd have to replace the whole door panel, not just the one.  Still, fuckity.  Of course both of us were all right, since it was a slow collision.  I just hope it's not too expensive on our insurance.  I feel like a real idiot.  I've been driving for 10 years and this is my first accident.   Not a bad first, I suppose, but honestly, to have it happen at all is dumb. 

Comments

[mollyf.livejournal.com]

Driving isn't easy, although we do it all the time. It will eventually happen to even the most careful of us. This wasn't bad, but I'm sorry it happened at al. (((((hugs)))))

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Molly! It's made me extra paranoid when I drive now, and I can no longer roll my eyes when I go out and DH says, "Drive carefully!" Before I could say, "Yeah, 10 years, no accidents, thanks, love you!" but not anymore :(

[brunahildm.livejournal.com]

Suckage :( Car crashes = no fun. Just one panel shouldn't be TOO bad, but I am amazed at how much these things can cost. The flip side of better mileage is that cars are more easily scrunched these days. Still, 10 years before your first accident is a great record!

[jan-andrea.livejournal.com]

I suppose... don't I feel dumb, though!

Oh rats!

[indigobeej.livejournal.com]

Oh dear - that's too bad. Car accidents are always a pain, but especially when its technically your fault, as your insurance rates may go up too. But, alas, it does happen to all of us at some point. I backed into a co-workers car at night (she had just pulled in behind me), Switz backed into someone's car at a town breakfast, etc. Don't feel too bad - you're still a good driver. But sorry it happened. (And the insurance rates do go back down after 3 years of no more accidents...)