I got involved in a road traffic accident tonight.

Got off work early, and instead of going the regular route home, I decided to go through downtown Greensboro.

There's this stretch - Smith Street - and lights were green all the way down. Little ol' me, poodling along at 35 mph, and then WHAM! - well not quite like that, to my right a speeding car jumped the red light, just as I was coming through the intersection... and we collided.

She was alright, a bit of a sore arm but no other injuries, and no visible injuries - we were both out of our cars and both walking around. So no, no meat-wagons came to pick either of us up, which is a really good thing; we both get to spend Christmas with our respective families.

However, right now I'm sore, emotional and tired but I can't sleep either. I'm worried about getting to work (I have only Christmas left for vacation save 4 hours otherwise which I was going to use to escape Christmas Eve early), looking after my son whilst trying to get some sleep (I normally leave work at 2am, hence I normally go to sleep at 3am) since schools out I cant' send him there... if school was in I could call my sis-in-law who could take him there. I think the car is a write off this time (2004 Ford Focus, already had a hefty deer strike and prior repaired damage to front right of car when I ran off the road - that was my fault - and tore up underneath when I hit a concrete driveway) so will I be able to get financing for a new vehicle? I was 1 1/2 years away from getting this vehicle paid off. I'm worried about gap insurance because I don't know where it is, I hope the dealer knows and I hope they did finance the car with gap like I remember them saying they would.

You know the craziest thing about this was? The lady who hit me was on her way delivering a sandwich - she was a Jimmy Johns sandwich delivery person. We were right nearby because guess what? The guy who was going to get the sandwich came to the location of the accident (he walked), and she gave him his sandwich! And he paid and tipped her!

I think I'll be OK with my insurance, when I spoke to the police officer he said that he couldn't say much but he stated that the other party - she was getting a piece of paper that I wasn't getting. All I got was a Driver Exchange Form, my registration and license back.

Oh, and this is the car I drive around in with 'L' on the back, for learner driver. Wonder if the police officer noticed? He didn't comment on it...

Anyway, thanks for listening, Mark.

People say that's all that counts, but that can be hard to accept when your vehicle now isn't worth much more than a crumpled up aluminum can. And then there's all the red tape with the insurance companies. Total pain in the ass and really unfortunate especially when you consider the time of year.

I was in a major accident on 12/21/91, same time of year. Car was TOTALED. A huge wreck.

People are just not paying attention near the holidays. Glad you are okay.

Glad you're okay.