Ok, we we're headed into town so "T" can get to class and Anna can get to work. We live at the top of a hill and to get on the highway we have to cross two lanes and a median before getting into the third lane. By design, there is a merging lane in the median so that people who survive the crossing of the first two can stop for the 70 mph traffic that comes over the hill - usually big trucks that can't stop on a dime.
So we cross the first two lanes and as we are about to merge a big truck with a "wide load" banner on the front crests the hill. So we stop so he can pass. We stopped. We were at a dead stop. We were not moving as we watched this truck pulling a load of big pipes crested the hill. We were not moving. (As it turned out, the truck was turning onto the road we just left, but like most people in American, he thought his turn signal was just an annoying flashing light and didn't bother to turn it on... until it was too late.)
So, did I mention we were stopped, waiting for a truck we thought was going to blow past us? We were stopped, a dead stop.
And then we got SMACKED from behind. A lady (driving one of those huge pick-up trucks that only people who live on a huge farm really have any excuse to be driving) slammed into us from behind and pushed us into oncoming traffic.
Ok, it's important to note right here that no one was seriously hurt. I've go this tweaking in my neck that we will probably go see the doctor for today, but no broken bones, blood, or anything like that. In fact "L", who was snug in his car seat emitted a joyful "WHEEEE!!" when it happened.
So anyway, long story short, our tail light is gone, the back end is pretty bad, but the van is drivable. The perpatrator didn't want to wait at the scene for the police as she had to "get her kids to school" - and since there was no real damage to her humongous cattle hauling truck, she just went on. To be fair, she did give us a valid name and phone number and by the time we got home that day her insurance company was already processing a claim, so I guess she was at least decent about it. I kinda wish that when she is driving her armor plated truck that she'd be a little more respectful of people who can't afford vehicles as nice as hers.
So then, less than 24 hours after the accident, before we even have the opportunity to get anywhere to replace the light (which we can't, really, but I thin the socket still works and we can get some red tape) we get pulled over and given a ticket for having a busted tail light.
I hate people.
