[LisaM]

Stupid me was only about 3 miles from home, at about 7 a.m., going from the dirt to pavement, accelerating GENTLY cuz the speed limit changes from 25 to 50 there, and I hit a patch of ice which decides to FLING me around in a big circle and I hit a pole AND a street sign, crunching the passenger side of my truck.

I guess I should be thankful I flung around. Otherwise I'd have hit on the drivers side...so if there's a bright side to be found, that's it I suppose. But man, does this STINK!

Guy at the collision shop said it probably wouldn't have happened if I'd have had my truck in all wheel drive, cuz when the truck is in 2WD, it's REAR wheel drive and many ppl don't know that (I sure didn't, but I do NOW!). I had absolutely NO control over the dang thing, once it started to slide, and it's only a 2-lane street, so it's not like there was a lot of ROOM to correct the skid anyway. Sigh.....they spaced the light pole and the street sign JUST far enough apart to have one hit above my front tire, and one just before my back so the damage is to my front tire and fender (took the tire off the rim and maybe some suspension damage) and the back quarter panel, and blew out the back cargo window, and crunched it all up back there. Collission guy said about $5000-$6000 or so. And no, I don't have rental car insuracne and I'm BROKE and also have a $500 deductible and my insurance won't cover the tow either, so this will end up costing me about $2000 out of my pocket. I hit HARD too! ONce I hit pavement, I swear my tires must have grabbed and accelerated me, cuz it was one hell of a BANG!

I'm so angry with myself. But I'm driving a pretty Grand Prix for a couple weeks. I'm just totally afraid I'll smash it, so I'm in the slow lane driving like my 80 year old grandma!