A week ago, I was coming home from Brigham City on I-15, after some early Christmas shopping. I wasn't very far from my exit, when I came upon a good size box. Since it was so dark already, I didn't even see it until I was right on it. With no time to swerve around it, I did hit it head on! It was solid, and the impact was hard enough that it would have set off my airbacks, if the car still had them. I immediately, pulled over and jumped out of my car to assess the damage, and see what I hit. The box contained some kind of an industrial light bulb and fixture. I completely demolished it, with parts, glass, and plastic all over, the road. Most of the box was impaled to the front bottom of the car just below the bumper. I pulled it off, and the front license plate holder came off too. I did a quick scan of the car for further noticable damage. Couldn't see much in the dark, even with my lights on. I was in so much shock, all I could do is get back in the car and get home. I prayed that the car was drivable and that I would make it home, with no problems.
I made it home, with out any problems, thank heavens! I surveyed the car even more, and did notice some small scratches and of course the license plate holder was gone. But, I still couldn't see much and had to wait the following morning, when I could see better.
The next day after this all happened, Brian and I went out to look over the car. We were then surprised to see that a portion of the car in front below the bumper (Where I hit the box), was dented inward. We opened up the hood and could see that in certain places around the outside, along the plastic was cracked. Our hopes began to sink, when we realized that further damage was caused. I needed to get Brian to work, and decided to risk it, by driving the car. Thankfully he doesn't work to far, and we made it. I then made the decision to have the car looked at at a local body shop. After, I dropped it off, all we could do was wait.
Later, that day I went back to the body shop and talked to the owner/mechanic about the status of the car and estimate. He brought me back to the shop and showed me the car. The car was on the lift and he put it up to better show me the the underside of it. Apparently when I hit the box, the impact was so hard and powerful, it pushed everything back. I could visibly see that parts had been shifted and bent, it was a domino effect. The estimate to fix it all was $1500. Sadly, the car isn't even worth that much. So with much thought Brian and I decided to just have the front of the car popped out, and call it good, because in the long run it just wasn't worth investing in. The mechanic said it was drivable, but it was a high risk to drive it alot, knowing the damage it sustained. We do drive it but mostly locally now. So far the car is holding and so far no other problems detected. I still am really worried about the thermostat on the car, but that so far is fine. Bottomline we are going to drive it til it dies. Meanwhile, we are going to have to save for another set of wheels.
Very, thankful that I didn't sustain any injuries, nor that Brilee wasn't with me. Also thankful that the box hadn't flown up higher and hit the front window, because that could have caused other serious injuries and problems.
Moral of the story is be careful and mindful of others when driving! If you are hauling anything make sure you secure it and TIE IT DOWN!! Seriously its things like this that ruin others lives!!!
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