July 16, 2006
car accident
Gary and his friend John were in a car accident last night, on their way back from the airport. They are both ok, although shaken and pretty banged up. They had just gotten back from a week in Ireland on a business trip (which was otherwise uneventful). John was driving his (relatively) new Prius. A couple of blocks from the parking garage they slowed down for a red light. The guy in the van behind them didn't, and rear-ended them. The Prius in turn hit the vehicle in front.
Gary called me minutes after the accident, so I woke Elliot up, got a bag ready, and drove up to Oakland. The Prius was totalled; the other two vehicles were banged up, too, but the Prius got it from both ends. Gary and John were sitting on the curb, in a daze. There were people milling about all over the place, and lots of police and firetrucks. I didn't see any ambulances, but apparently the guy who caused the accident was taken away on a stretcher earlier; we don't know what happened to him.
I took a few pictures with the camera on my phone. Here's one of John's Prius:
The car, although totalled, handled the impact really well. It crumpled where it was supposed to, but the front seats looked ok. The airbags had gone off during the second (front) impact, but both Gary and John said that they never hit them, as they were held back with their seatbelts. The back seats also fared well, although I wouldn't have wanted to be back there without a seatbelt. The front seats were leaned all the way back, and no one could push them upright again. John and Gary were quite anxious to get their stuff out of John's car, since the police were going to tow it away. This proved somewhat problematic, since the door to the trunk was completely smashed and inoperable. One of the police officers managed to extract everything through the back seat. Although there was glass all over the bags, they were in surprisingly good shape, too.
Funny moment after the accident: the Prius' windshield wipers (both front and back) stayed on during the entire time we were there.
Eventually the police had finished collecting all their information, and said John and Gary could leave. I drove them back to our place, and John's wife, Eva, came to pick him up. On their way home, they were almost in another accident (the car behind them was rear-ended, but luckily Eva swerved and avoided being hit).
Gary is feeling better this morning than he did last night, although he is definitely still hurting. Both he and John elected not to go to the emergency room last night, and Gary is just planning on going to the doctor tomorrow, instead of going to Urgent Care.
Posted by Jen at July 16, 2006 09:50 AMHi Jen & Gary,
So sorry to hear about Gary's accident. I can't believe the condition of the car. It was a miracle that no one was seriously injured. Hope that you are feeling much better Gary. Take care and love to both of you and Elliot.
Hi Jen & Gary
So sorry to hear about the accident. We hope that Gary and John will be feeling better soon and that there are no hidden injuries. All the best wishes from Switzerland.
Ohmygosh!!!! That's so scary - I'm glad no one was seriously injured. Take care - we are thinking of you guys.
Posted by: Rose at July 16, 2006 05:51 PMOh my... so glad Gary and John were alright. Thanks for sharing this, I often neglect wearing seatbelt in the back seat but now I'll reconsider it!!
Posted by: Chihiro at July 17, 2006 04:08 AMWow - that looks like a pretty bad scenario and Gary and John were quite lucky to "walk away" - just looking at that picture of the crumpled Prius makes me hurt all over. I will send healing thoughts from Florida to California to help ease their discomfort.
Posted by: Aunt Kathy at July 17, 2006 04:55 AMI appreciate the good wishes!
It was the worst accident I've been in. It's the second day after the crash, and my neck and body feel like they were beaten with a billy club. When I lie on my back, I am completely unable to lift my head -- the muscles and tendons are too weak and bruised.
John visited urgent care and was told the damage was primarily muscle strain. My symptoms are very similar, so I plan to visit my usual doctor by appointment, so I can get advice on longer-term treatment for any problems that may be slow to heal.
I am glad everyone is OK - but how scary! I got rear ended last year (very minor accident) but it made me think EVERYONE on the road would possibly hit me.
Gary - DO go to the hospital/doctor and get checked out, your injuries could be worse than you think and/or you may need follow-up care that obviously should be covered by the other driver's insurance (assuming they have insurance, which even though required in CA and many other states, is almost impossible to enforce).
You may have some trouble lifting and playing with master Elliot for awhile - take care.
Ginnie
Posted by: G at July 17, 2006 08:18 AMGary please get to a doctor the way the car looks you could be hurt and still in shock from the wreck, love grandma.
Posted by: spevie at July 17, 2006 08:26 AMGary and Jen,
I am so sorry you had to experience this. I was in a bad accident 10 years ago and it hurt to move for a couple days. Years later I had back problems and a bulged and protruted disks that required physical therapy.
Hope you feel better soon Gary.
Best wishes,
Atossa
We are very happy to hear Gary and John are doing well. We were rear ended recently, as well. Agree that both should get checked out by the doc. We'll keep all of you in our prayers.
Agree with you on the moral of the story: Seat belts SAVE LIVES!!
Wow. Must have been quite a bit of speed behind the impact. Always a lucky break whe you walk away and don't get taken away on a stretcher in an accident. Property loss is nothing and gets mostly covered by insurance. Your own physical well being is priceless no matter how the medical bills get paid. Hope Gary's whiplash symptoms clear up quickly.
Posted by: Pete at July 20, 2006 07:08 PM