Losing Gig; T-Boning Another Driver
Well, the hammer fell on Profunksticated.
As of June 13, I will leave the the social services consulting firm with which I’ve worked for a temp for the past six and a half months. My manager told me he couldn’t justify to his bosses having two proposal specialists on his team. Add to that a hiring freeze. They did, however, hire the desktop publisher to whom I refered in an earlier post. The company needed her more than they needed me.
I was not surprised, but disappointed nonetheless. I allowed myself to hope I would get hired. I got kinda comfortable there and did get to liking the people. I have to be thankful for two things: that I stayed on an extra four months (Feb. 1 was my original end date) and my manager has given me a couple weeks notice, a lot more than most temps get.
So I’ve got to find another gig and in short order. I’ve been applying online to various federal positions. One specialist I’ve worked with told me she’ll pass along the names of people who call her about her availabililty for proposal work. She’s also worked as a temp/contractor.
What else? Oh yeah, while driving to work I broadsided another driver last Friday morning on a busy four-lane street in Fairfax County, Va. She apparently was trying to turn left to head westbound from a shopette parking lot. Trouble was, a transit bus had stopped right there just short of that driveway, obscuring her vision of traffic coming from her left. She pulled out in front of the bus. There is no intersection or traffic signal.
I was passing the bus in the left eastbound travel lane; the bus, also eastbound, was in the right lane. As I was passing the bus, her minivan appeared seemingly out of nowhere. I couldn’t stop and quickly got this sick feeling.
“I’m about to hit this mofo.”
(Sound of brakes screeching; then of metal crunching against metal).
We spun into the opposite (westbound) travel lanes to a stop. We were able to move our vehicles off the street an into a parking lot across the street from where she tried her ill-advised left turn. My first thought was thank God there were no vehicles traveling westbound at the time we spun. But then I thought, trying to ascertain her thought pattern, that had there been approaching westbound traffic, she wouldn’t have attempted the turn to start with.
What I believe she was thinking: There’s no approaching westbound traffiic, the bus is holding up the eastbound traffic, I can make this left. True, the bus was holding up the right eastbound lane. She forgot the bus blocked her view of the left eastbound lane, where I was driving.
OK, other particulars. I’m driving a Chevy Venture minivan (look, I’m a married guy with kids, what can I say?) She’s driving a Plymouth Voyager van. Her driver-side panel absorbed most of the impact. I know so because my van’s airbag didn’t deploy. Her van also leaked antifreeze. My van had front end damage and knocked the driver side marker light out of place, but was still driveable.
Neither of us was hurt, thank God, but her shotgun-riding passenger complained of a sore back and side. Police and ambulance were called. She was given a traffic citation for pulling in front of me. I was too shaken to be angry. Her vehicle and mine are insured by the same company, which should make the claim process simpler.
I’m to take the van to an adjuster to get a damage estimate. The van I hit is owned by another man, a friend of this woman, and the rep handling his policy told me that once liability is accepted his policy will pay for everything, including my damage deductible and a rental car to used while the van undergoes body work.
Guess who won’t be complaining about paying for auto insurance?
In the more than 30 years I’ve been a licensed driver, this is the first collision I’ve had. I certainly hope it will be the last. Love this Washington-area traffic.
2008: This year just keeps getting better and better.
Peace.
why did the same thing happen to me re: your car accident?!
i was going southbound, dude was exiting a parking lot driveway, turning left to go northbound, and due to the other 2 lanes of traffic that temporarily stalled, he couldn’t see me coming down the 3rd lane. so he pulls his Mercedes right out into traffic, and i had to swerve to avoid totally broadsiding him. we still hit, though not nearly has hard as i would have had i not swerved. and i ended up swerving into the oncoming traffic lane - which just so happened to be at a light (praise God), so it was clear. thank God in heaven - that could have been the end of my life, and possibly his also.
i’m glad to know you’re ok!! that is beyond scary. best wishes in dealing with the aftermath! it was my “first time” so i had no idea dealing with insurance companies was such a pain in the buttocks.
Hey dragonfly, welcome to my spot! Yes, both our accidents could have had far worse consequences. As I write this, I have a message from the rep handling the other guy’s insurance. They’ve accepted liability and I will be issued a check to cover my deductible for my collision damage. Thank God, dealing with the insurers in my case hasn’t been that difficult. Take care.
Comment by dragonflysoul — June 4, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Hey Pro,
I’m just glad you’re alright. That’s the most important thing. You drive safely because the DMV is no joke.
Thanks, A. In no state is the DMV a joke. I try to drive safely, but I do have a bad habit of glancing down at my crackberry while driving. Gotta stop doing that.
Comment by A — June 4, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Oh yeah, I hope you find a new gig real soon. The economy is no joke, but God is BIG.
A, I’m confident I will find another gig. You’ve probably seen my profanely titled post about my wanting to be a temp. This firm I’m with presently? It led me on, got what it wanted and now is dumping me. LOL! Thanks for your support.
Comment by A — June 4, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
oh yeah, i’m really sorry to hear about your job situation right now. i know that must be frustrating and disappointing. i wasn’t skipping over that before, i was just a little too excited that your accident seemed to resemble my very recent one
anyway, be encouraged! you’ll find something in time. hang in there…
Thanks, Dragonfly. I may not always act like I know it, but I do know that God closes a door but opens a window.
Comment by dragonflysoul — June 4, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
I am so glad you’re OK! Sheesh!
Thanks, ‘Drops. I was saying a whole lot more than “sheesh!” in the moment before we crashed. LOL!
Comment by Heartdrops — June 4, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
Thank goodness nobody was injured in that T-boner…and for insurance…2500…sheesh.
K, what’s up? Yes, I’m glad no one was injured. Turns out the other driver told the insurance company rep that she never saw the bus that was obscuring her vision. Go figure.
Comment by K. — June 11, 2008 @ 10:43 am
She didn’t see…a bus…that was obscuring her vision. Wow, she’s taken “admit no fault” to a WHOLE new level LOL!
Y0u ain’t kidding! BTW, I drop the van off this week for the repair. I hope the rental is halfway fly. LOL!
Comment by k — June 12, 2008 @ 12:13 am