A van ran the light while a car made a seemingly normal right turn.
The van plowed into the drivers side, hard enough to fly into the air and spin around.
-----A Van ----- that's a lot of force.
Here are some lessons:
1. The VAN had virtually no damage. The car is a total mess. So was the driver of the car, based on the firetrucks and ambulance on scene. Back boarded and neck collared.
2. This is the very reason we spend more in gas for my wife to drive a 5000+ lbs. SUV. Inertial mass plays an important factor in all accidents. If you get hit by a trolley car going 3mph, it has the same force as a compact car traveling at 40+ mph.
3. We have a 16 YO driver now and this was a good reminder, never assume someone is going to stop. One of the few times I've felt the hand of God was when some one ran a red light. People are far more distracted now days.
4. Insurance companies don't understand that car damage doesn't determine human damage. The van driver most certainly has whiplash injuries.
5. Call your insurance company tonight. If they aren't open, leave a message. Raise your personal injury protection. NOW. You need a minimum of $10,000. That ambulance ride alone burned through probably $3000. Do it now. I only get 1 in 40 auto accident victims that has more than minimum coverage when they come in.
6. If you live in a high traffic area, consider buying a big heavy vehicle. ALL, the auto victims I see would gladly give up any settlement money to not have been in an accident in the first place. It is NEVER beneficial. At least if you have a big vehicle, the damage might be less.
7. Why? Any accident over 5 mph can trigger a whiplash injury. Ligament damage can take 1-2 years to heal. Studies have shown people can still have residual pains 15 years after a settlement. In the office, it is not uncommon to see x-rays with spine damage from an accident more than 20 years prior.
8. Today---Raise your Auto personal injury protect and slow down. You will benefit from both.