I was on my way to pick up my oldest son from preschool today, with the baby in the backseat. My mom called my cell phone, and I picked it up to tell her I would call her back when I got home. I don't like to talk on the phone in the car, but my mom always worries when I don't answer the phone. Well, she worried a lot more when I got slammed into from behind while sitting and waiting to make a left turn. All she heard was a huge crash, the baby screaming, and me saying "Oh my God!". The phone flew out of my hands, and I couldn't find it.

I pulled over, and of course didn't think about my mom, freaking out on the phone. My only concern was Luke in the back seat. He was fine, just terrified. The car seat didn't budge. He stopped crying as soon as he saw me. When I finally realized my mom was probably freaking out, I found my phone. She was still on the line, crying and sobbing. I can only imagine what she was thinking.

A little old man just wasn't paying attention. I used my blinker, and didn't slam on my brakes or anything. He was so upset that I hugged him! The cops said they had never seen anyone be so nice after being in a car accident. I was just so happy that the baby was ok, nothing else mattered.

I am so THANKFUL that I adjusted the car seat straps this morning, when I noticed they were a little loose on him.

So, everyone is ok, but I was so shaken up I couldn't even hold the phone to call the police. A man across the street came over and called for me.

I drive a Saturn, so it is pretty busted up. It had to be towed because the tired was messed up. My whole life, I've never had a good car. I bought this Saturn, brand new, and I've only had it for 2 years. It has been rear-ended twice, and broken into.

But a car is just a car, and all that matters is the baby is ok. I am STILL shaken up about it though. I don't remember pulling off the side of the road, or anything. Everyone, check your car seats!!!!!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 09:38 pm:

Thank God for properly installed car seats!

I say this all the time. I'm so glad to hear you and the baby are OK. Keep in mind that some injuries may not show up until after the fact. Also, the car seat will need to be replaced. Most insurance companies will reimburse you for the cost. {{{HUGS}}}

By Conni on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 09:39 pm:

(((HUGS))) So glad everyone is OK !!

By Sandysmom on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 09:43 pm:

I'm so glad you all are ok! And, it sounds like you handled it well considering the circumstances.

By Jjb on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 10:28 pm:

How scary for you and your baby! I'm so happy you're both okay. I was in a similar accident when I was pregnant with my second child. The insurance company of the other driver paid for a new britax seat- but I had to ask.

By Annie2 on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 10:53 pm:

So glad you and the baby are okay!

By Nicki on Monday, September 24, 2007 - 11:49 pm:

So glad everyone is okay, Jennifer!

By Mom2three1968 on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 07:22 am:

I'm glad that you and your baby are alright, good thinking on your part about making sure that the belts on the car seat were tightened up!

By Dana on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 08:14 am:

Thank God is right! I am so glad you and baby are okay. But don't be surprised if you start feeling the pain over the next couple days. I was in a "minor" accident and was in absolute misory afterwards....and the first two days after accident I was "okay, just a lttiel sore"....that all changed pretty quickly. And even during recovery I would say "it's not too bad, I feel it, but not too bad" until I got to the next level of healing and thought "wow, I was really in pain before!" So don't down play any pain you are feeling.

And for me, I was thanking God that the baby wasn't in my car at the time! I was on the way to pick up my daughter and her 2 friends leaving no room for the baby. So even the girls were saved from the accident.

I still suffer from the accident, but I was told by the dr to expect it. It was a permanent damage injury.

Take care!

By Tunnia on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 08:54 am:

I'm so very glad you and your baby are ok!

By Ilovetom on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 08:58 am:

Oh man! I was scared just reading that!

I am glad you all are okay- sore today I bet?

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 09:30 am:

I'm glad everyone was okay.

By Jelygu on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 09:32 am:

Thanks ladies. We are fine, I'm a little sore, but the baby doesn't seem to be feeling bad at all!

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 09:47 am:

Your poor mom.. My sister had made a "quick" call to me one night while she was driving home from work at about 11:30 pm., I got to be on the receiving end of an "OH MY GOD" phone call and hearing the tires screech and the metal bend and I was freaked out. My heart dropped and I was screaming her name. It took her a minute to find the phone too.. It was all accident and then nothing. I was ready to go out and jump in the car to find her.. She had saw the deer jump out of the corn field and she knew she was to close to not hit him.. She killed the deer and bent up the front end of her truck.. We rushed over and pulled out the finders and strapped down the hood of the truck. She was on a road with ditches so deep we couldn't get off of the road and had to have traffic directed around us. We both were shaken for days afterwards. The sheriff was a great help, after we tracked down the deer and he was sure we were telling the truth. He was a tool before that.

Anyway, thank God everyone is okay.. Poor old guy..

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 09:50 am:

Glad to hear you're all OK!!!!!!!

By Jelygu on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 03:59 pm:

Bobbie, my mom was on her way to her car to come find me. And she had NO idea where I was or where I was going. When I finally picked up the phone, she started sobbing.
We laughed afterwards that everyone must have thought she was crazy because she was standing outside screaming my name into the phone.

By Tink on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 04:21 pm:

I'm so glad that you and your ds are ok! Your poor mom must have been terrified. You know a bunch of us doublechecked our carseats after reading this!

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 04:36 pm:

Oh my goodness!! This gave me goose bumps!!! I'm so so so glad y'all are ok!! Ok, my eyes are teary...I can't imagine the time between getting hit and checking on Luke!! Nor the time between hearing my daughter say "Oh my God!" and hearing you were ok...my my my goodness...

By Pamt on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 08:40 pm:

Glad you're okay...and bless your mom's heart. She must have been terrified.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 10:07 pm:

I knew my sisters route to and from work and I knew a few intersections she had passed because I could hear the truck accelerate through them so, I knew where she was and I kept praying that she didn't roll it. Like I said the ditch lines are really deep.. Bad for turn over crashes.. I had all kinds of bad images going through my head.