It was a normal day and snowbanks cover my complex. Being in my mini you cant see the cars because of the snow bank and inching your way out to see would involve your front end being out. So in this case i checked to see if there was a car before the bank. Just my luck it was perfectly timed as i was looking, he was entering the bank so i went out, and boom. I got T-boned my a 2003 mazda protege 5.

It was my first accident, and its a weird feeling to remember being in shock. Seeing the headlights, then the next thing your in shock and looking around and seeing the drivers side airbags come out, and the glass shattered. Panicing as your door wont open and having to get out the passenger side.

It was sad to see my my mini with the door damaged, glass shattered, and rear quater panel dented up. On The bright side, no damage to my engine, suspension, wheels, or gas cap area. Remarkable luck for the car, but just a case of bad luck to me.

The 03' protege 5 on the other hand crumpled and I was told it was a write-off with both airbags coming out in the gentlemens car.

The car is being repaired now and they gave me a 09' mazda tribute to drive.

 

Well that just sucks, glad you were ok. Sounds like it was a pretty low speed impact, I'm surprised it did so much damge to the other car.

Even worse you have to drive a Tribute in the mean time, yech.

 

Well that's a slap in the face. You get hit by a Mazda, so they give you a Mazda to drive while they repair your MINI. I'd personally demand another MINI to drive.

 

Haha! I think if i got a mini now for the time being, id be so sad. I cant wait to get my silver thing back. Those air bags really jacked up the repair costs.

 

Aww, so sorry to hear about your accident. Are you sore at all today??

this is the one thing that I worry about and try to be careful of when exiting a parking spot and haven't even considered when there are huge snow banks...!

 

My condolences. Being in an auto accident is a very bad feeling, even at low speed. The crunch of metal hitting metal is haunting. I've never been in one at any speed, that must be superbad. Glad you're OK.

 

Yah i know the feeling ,sorry about what happen hope u get your hands on your mini as sooon as possible

 

Glad to hear that you are OK. MINIs are very protective of their owners.

 

Yikes! Glad you're alright...

and that you didn't T-bone the other guy in the face after the wreck!

 

When you pull out in front of someone else (my read on what happened as described in the initial post), I don't think you should be punching the person who hit you.

While "inching out" puts you at risk of being hit, it at least gives any oncoming driver the opportunity to honk, swerve around you, slow down, i.e. avoid an accident.

I'm still sorry for the person who was hit as they had no ill intentions, but rather didn't make the best decision in retrospect.

 

Its all good. You really think about the what-ifs after an accident in every way about your driving habits, and what could have happened to you but didn't. Such an ugly feeling.

On the other hand, i surely agree minis are very protective of their owner. The inside was as spacious as usual if you minus the air bag. I believe there is a steel bar or something in the door? You could really see how well it is developed and used after the accident.