I remembered the one I was in over 10 years ago. Back then,
I was between insurance coverages, having just dropped one and expecting the
other to kick in later in the week. Who expects trouble in that brief a gap?
Not me. Not my passenger. We left work on a normal afternoon and were
broadsided by a young man who was speeding and on his cell. Ten years ago we didn't
have all the bells, whistles and laws in place to help. I was planning to drop
off my co-worker on the way home. The car was smooshed so badly on my side that
we had to climb out of the passenger side front window. When the tow came, that
driver viewed the mess, saw the other car and saw mine, glanced at the skid
marks and said it was obvious that the kid was at fault. BUT I wasn't covered.
I couldn't even pursue the issue without having legal troubles. The kid's
father (he left the scene to get dad) quickly realized his good fortune and we
swapped names and addresses. A week later, I was able to get up to where my
totaled car had been towed and made a deal for the mechanics to just use it for
parts in exchange for the time it spent there. When I took some photos and
looked inside, I could see the impressions of our heads indented in the roof,
inside the car. If we had not been belted, I don't even want to consider what
would have happened.
Bottom line - I was not able to recover any expenses, but
both my friend and I were blessed in being alive and badly bruised. He was able
to get another co-worker to ride with and I spent the next year taking 3 buses
to work each day and home again.
Now here's the thing. I am so very grateful, even though
back then, I thought it was one of the worst things I'd been through. Yet I got
away very cleanly compared to these friends of mine.
I have kept them in my prayers since their accidents
occurred and will do so for a long time to come. They did not come away as
cleanly as I did.
One is over 80 and finally had her cast off her
"good" arm but is still in grave pain with it. She is dealing with a
terminal kidney issue and they will not give her pain meds. She was in a car
with her sis and brother. The sis and brother had many bruises and I'm not sure
how they fared with the car. They didn't need hospitalization except for ER
care. But they were all seniors and do not heal quickly. She is still dealing
with the physical aftermath of their accident.
Another who also lives in our community is walking well now
but in the beginning, she was in bad shape. They are driving a car but it's not
theirs. We talked briefly recently and she tells me her insurance company still
has not settled for her. They tell her it could take as long as 10 years since
the other side is arguing the details of the accident. They, too, are seniors.
I don't know if they have another 10 years. They are struggling now,
financially, with the aftermath of their accident.
The third friend was injured badly as was her dear friend. She
was in the hospital for weeks and is finally home. They are both still bad off,
physically, even though her cast has finally disappeared. In addition, they no
longer have a car. They are both seniors, too. They must rely on friends and
other sources just to get to the doctors while dealing with their injuries. I
don't know the details and whether or not they were covered, but apparently
many insurance companies these days take a while to settle. Maybe they only had
liability and a rental was not covered. Maybe - anything. The thing is, they
are dealing with both the physical and financial aftermath of their accident.
Father, you were incredibly good to me 10 years ago. Yes,
that bus was a pain but both of escaped long-term injuries and extreme
financial issues. I ask with all my heart and soul and being for your ongoing
compassion and mercy for these friends. Please bless them in unexpected ways
with extraordinary solutions to their financial issues and with extraordinary
healing. Each of them are people of faith, as you know, and are relying on you
for strength and peace of mind during this worrisome and painful time. Bless
them, please.
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