Once the initial shock has passed, I try to asses the damage. my vehicle is a 1998 ford expedition that is resting on a rock overlooking a 70 degree drop down about 35-40 feet, full of trees and other bad things. To the side of this rock? nothing either way. That's when it hits me that I owe that rock a beer or a polish or whatever rocks like, because it very likely either saved my life or any significant injuries. I call 911, sheriff's department gets there, followed by ambulance, fire department and a towing company, and the damage assessment begins as follows: My truck is completely fucked in about as many ways as possible. Paramedics check me out, minor concussion (calling it one might be a stretch, I've had 3 or 4 and all were worse than this) some cuts and bruises but nothing major, despite the fact I clearly remember the airbag hitting me dead in the face and stopping nothing else.
Once all the medical issues are resolved, I call my boss, who happens to be about 2 miles away on his way back from a delivery and explain the situation. He comes out to make sure I'm ok and assess the situation, and once the vehicle is being yanked from the ravine he gives me a lift back to the store. it isn't really until I walk past the truck and get a view from up the hill I realize how fucking close I was to flying down the hill and God only knows what would have happened there. I just stop and kinda sit in the snow for a minute while I come down from the adrenaline spike from the whole situation and look at a very sobering reminder of how fucking fragile I am. I wanted to just ball up and cry it was just every emotion I can think of hitting me at once.
So, my truck is totaled, but, on the bright side, this is my first accident, so my boss is fine with me continuing to drive as long as I can provide the vehicle. Parents are gonna be willing to work with me and trade vehicles around until I get word from the insurance company on whether or not I'll receive a check from them over this (full coverage insurance was a good thing to be talked into) and then I can start looking for a new vehicle that gets more than 10 miles to the gallon and doesn't need 5 lanes to make a turn out of the Domino's parking lot. It was just a seriously stressful, sobering moment all around. The fact that my worst injury is a bruise on the side of my left forearm is a fucking blessing, although right now I feel like I lost a kickboxing match to a horse.
At least I kept my job, the Royal Rumble is tonight and my birthday is Friday! Hurray for positive things in life!