Thank God and a guardian angel...

Got just about the worst phone call a parent could get this morning....." Dad, I've been in an accident..." Our middle child, 21, T boned a tractor and mixer wagon on her way to work. Extemely fortunate to have only suffered seat belt abrasions and bruising from the air bag. The driver of the tractor is OK; he had stopped at the intersection and then unexpectedly pulled out in front of her . She hit the rear edge of the rear tire at about 55 mph. no time to brake. Snapped the cast hub of the tractor from the wheel, and shoved everything about 6 or 7 feet down the road---this is a 150 hp front whhel drive New Holland tractor with about 5 tons of feed in the mixer wagon---over 20 tons altogether. Everything forward of the windsheild on the car (Chev Impala) was destroyed. As testament to newer cars construction, all four doors open as new, very little damage to the passenger compartment except some deformation of the firewall where the engine pushed into it.

So, it was a stressful day, but upon reflection we were very fortunate there were no serious injuries. Many prayers of thanks today,especially to her guardian angel; and a word of thanks to those who designed safety features into cars. So, please please, always wear your seatbelt!!
A very thankful dad,

Ben

Glad to hear it worked out, equipment can ALWAYS be replaced.

Glad to hear both drivers were Okay! It's a shake up & wake up call when things like this happen to our children or any family member. Our daughter flipped our car when she was 16, I was so glad I got to bring her home with only seat belt bruising also.

Yes, Both drivers are very fortunate! Your daughter will feel it tomorrow. Just happy to hear it was no worse. Been through accidents with two of mine that totald vehicles and no one seriously hurt. We all have a lot to be thankful for.

Glad both are OK!

Several years ago, my wife was in a head on collision (not of her creation) while driving a Pontiac mini van. Thanks to the air bag and belts, she walked away from it at the time. The law officers at the scene said if it weren't for the bag and belts there was no way she could have survived.

They took her to the local ER for a checkup anyway, and the doctor told her that in about a week she would be more sore than she could imagine. He was right. And a few days later, from the top of her left shoulder to her right hip and across her abdomen she had a five inch wide band that was the darkest purple I've ever seen on anyone.

BTW, it was caused by a 17 year old girl yakking on her cell phone and not paying attention to her driving. The gal got one arm and her face messed up some, so that was a good lesson for her. She was driving an older pickup with no air bag.

Very lucky indeed. Never know what can happen my girlfriend nearly died in a relatively minor accident as a teenager, whole family in minivan everyone else just minor injuries but her lap seatbelt broke her spine and cutoff blood flow ended up losing a leg as a result but easily could have died from it

I am so glad Her guardian angel was watching over her. Marilyn and I have personally heard the news that is worse than that and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Happy that things turned out good for your daughter. This kind of accident happens too often. I am starting to see directional signals and large mirrors on larger equipment now. That should cut down the accidents some.

These newer cars are really a lot safer than the older cars out there. I still hear a lot of people comment that they would rather be in a big car like there were in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. when in an accident. I tell them it only means the rescue squad will have more metal to remove before they get you out.

Thanks all for your concern.Yes, I agree new cars are much safer, the quote "...they sure don't build 'em like they used to..." is very true.

I shudder to think of the outcome had she been driving my former antique car, a 1964 Rambler.

Ben

To paraphrase the Subaru commercial: "She lived". Thank God.

We did get the worst call three days before Christmas, three months after we got married... my wife's only brother was a passenger in a car that went off the road and hit a light pole on the freeway (this before the breakaway poles were installed on this section of the highway). He was killed instantly. Young man driving was drunk, but not as drunk as Rick, so he let him drive his car (old VW Bug) from a party. Not a fun first Christmas for us, going to the funeral home instead of celebrating. Today, in a modern car and updated poles, he would have lived.