We are all fine. The van is not.
We were on our way to the zoo and were waiting at a red light on the access road to get onto the 417 N ramp. The light changed to green. Of course I hesitated a couple seconds before going--you just never know if someone is going to try to squeak through the light, right? But after two or three seconds, I proceeded into the intersection. That is when a lady in a white Kia came racing through the red light and right into my car! It was absolutely terrifying. Of course the baby started screaming--he wasn't hurt, just scared--and I was crying because my air bag deployed and my car was wrecked. Is there a worse noise than two cars colliding? That horrible sound haunts me. Emily and Bailey were totally fine; in fact, Bailey didn't even know what had happened! Luckily they were in tv trance because they were watching a Barbie movie. The pediatrician said that was actually probably a blessing because they were so relaxed, they didn't get whiplash or injuries.
At the scene of the crash, the paramedics and state troopers told me my car was likely totaled. We waited most of the week to hear from the insurance companies but we found out on Thursday that the van could be fixed and they will be doing that. It is going to take the rest of the month (!!!) to be repaired. I'm upset because it seems like a no-win situation. We'd either have our car totaled, which means the past 14 months of payments are pretty much a wash, or we'd get it fixed and it would never be worth anything any more. And I am concerned that it will never be the same--or as safe--after being repaired. So we are in car limbo until it is fixed and we can decide what we are going to do. I did get a rental van to use in the meantime and it is working out okay. The whole situation is just upsetting because I didn't do anything wrong or risky at all! I am so thankful for my wonderful husband who has been dealing with all of the insurance company representatives, repair shop people, and basically the whole mess so that I don't have to. He is the best. And I am truly thankful that my babies and I are all fine, because really this could have turned out a LOT worse for us.
