When free costs too much
Two days ago, Paul totaled his car. He was leaving McDonald’s with his free cup of coffee, when the sun blinded him and a woman plowed into him. He had stopped at the stop sign on the corner of 10th and S and was pulling out when it happened. His side airbag exploded, sending him bouncing around the car. His cup holder busted and sent the coffee splattering around the front of the car. The seatbelt and air bag ended up injuring him.
After spending close to five hours in the emergency room at Regional West Medical Center, Paul was released. He went home with several pulled and stretched neck muscles and a banged up left shoulder. Today, he was complaining that his ribs and hip hurt as well.
That’s the good news. Unfortunately, Paul’s Chevy Aveo was totaled. We bought it brand new in 2009 and had only put 9600 miles on it. Other good news is that Paul had gap insurance. That means we don’t have to make payments on a car that has been totaled.
The insurance lady wanted it repaired, but it would have cost more than $13,000 to repair. His car was valued at $12,800, so it had to be totaled. Paul isn’t happy about it, but there’s not much we can do. We just have to accept the fact that he’s okay and he’s lost his car.
Since we’re back to one car, I’ll be driving Paul to work the rest of the school year. We decided not to another car right away and use the money on a couple of bills. We’ll probably look in August or September at new cars again. Paul says he’d like another Aveo, so we’ll see in a few months what happens.
