TIFU by crashing my car into a pole

Submitted by Porbale t3_y8jvzy in tifu

I can’t believe how dumb I am. I drove to McDonalds to pick up some food, and it’s not that far away from my house, so it’s a pretty simple drive. Walk in, order the food, walk out, and drive home all within a few minutes. It’s an easy plan, right?

Well, as I was turning on to the road, the bag fell over, and I didn’t want the food to spill everywhere, so I decided to pick it up. Then I heard a big bump, and I looked in front of me and saw a pole. I wasn’t able to hit the brake in time, so my car crashed into it, and it fell over. (Side note: this was not at a high speed, so physically I’m fine).

Not only was the front bumper completely damaged, but the cops showed up and I had to go through a series of tests while hiding my anxiety and trying really really hard not to cry. I got a citation, and now I have to show up in court, and I’m really worried that my license is going to be suspended.

Now I’m back home sobbing like a maniac and I can’t even bring myself to eat the food that I bought. The worst part is that I only got my drivers license a couple months ago. I was feeling so confident and now I don’t know if I’ll ever have the courage to drive again.

TL;DR: Crashed my car into a pole all because of a fucking McDonalds bag. Cops showed up, and now I have to go to court.

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matthewrodier t1_it0xmr4 wrote

They’re not going to take your license. Accidents are scary and shake people up (especially when you’re a new driver) but you’re fine and it was just a pole. Take it as a lesson learned.

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Earguy t1_it0tpsr wrote

First, don't panic. Assuming you're in the USA, you won't lose your license. Causing damage will cost you a bit. Work with your insurance, and ask them about legal representation.

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Ayeway2019 t1_it1etne wrote

I’m going to tell a very pathetic story about myself, in hopes that it will make you feel a little better. I drive a big truck but I’ve driven it for years and I’ve had my license for years too. One day, while waiting for my friend in a Ross parking lot, for some reason that to this day, don’t understand, I decided to pull up next to one of the only cars in the whole parking lot to wait. There were tons of empty spaces I could’ve pulled into and I wouldn’t have been near any other cars at all. But that would make too much sense. I noticed my friend pulling into the lot on the opposite side from where I was so I get excited and throw my truck in drive, thinking I would drive up to where he was. For some completely idiotic reason, I take the SHARPEST left turn when I began pulling out of the parking spot and literally take the entire back end off of a relatively new Nissan Altima. I didn’t even make it 3 feet from my parking spot without completely demolishing this girls car. Luckily I had full coverage insurance and I left the girl a note on a paper plate. I was surprised to receive a call a few hours later from a young girl who didn’t seem furious at all, like I had been anticipating. Instead, she was confused and told me she hadn’t had her license very long and had no clue how anything works as far as insurance, etc when a car accident happens. I walked her through it and my insurance paid for 100% of the repairs (plus I had a $0 deductible which was awesome) so in the end, it just turned out to be a really embarrassing story that I look back at and laugh. My friend thinks I’m an idiot but he laughs about it too. Sometimes these things happen.. they may not be quite as drastic as my situation, but nevertheless, don’t be too hard on yourself! Shit happens. Most of the time it’ll turn into a funny story later in life

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MMXXfan t1_it4ugty wrote

I'm not OP but tifu too and came here in hopes that reading about people's stories would help me feel a bit less alone and dramatic about mine. Your story helped, so thank you a lot

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rck123456789 t1_it0wexe wrote

I crashed my car on a gate a couple of months ago. I also just got my drivers license. I scratched and sinked like half the side of the car. But guess what? Im fine, I learned from that experience and decided to not stop driving. Accidents happen, the important thing is that your fine and life continues. In a few months it will just be a story you tell

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MPFX3000 t1_it0it3l wrote

The car fell over? Why would you have to go to court for this?

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Porbale OP t1_it0izmm wrote

The pole fell over after my car hit it. My citation was far not controlling the speed of the car to prevent the crash.

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MPFX3000 t1_it0j8tg wrote

Oh the pole fell over. What kind of pole was it?

I wouldn’t worry too much. I can’t see a reason they’d suspend your license

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[deleted] t1_it0juyw wrote

[deleted]

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MPFX3000 t1_it0kgn5 wrote

What on the pole? A sign?

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Porbale OP t1_it0km1x wrote

It was more of a street light.

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MPFX3000 t1_it0l25e wrote

Ah. Don’t worry about it. These crappy things happen.

They’ll probably make you take a defensive driving class which you’ll need anyways because your insurance will likely go up. But I wouldn’t worry about court. Just dress correctly and apologize sincerely. It’ll be ok.

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CuriousAstronaut3 t1_it3ccqt wrote

Well thats probably cheaper, but you do get to explain your story in court, if you wish. But no matter what the citation is, you did cause it. Also court will probably bill you for the damage to the pole, if its damaged. In our country this can be signed by a judge but without a visit to the court.

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Konkuriito t1_it0phpt wrote

at least it wasn't a person?

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Porbale OP t1_it0puc4 wrote

Sure, but it was still incredibly stupid. And now I have to go in front of a judge and tell them that I crashed because of a McDonalds bag.

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rck123456789 t1_it0wnhj wrote

Yeah because of a McDonalds bag, so nothing to really worry about. I mean, you werent drunk or anything

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cuckycouple42069 t1_it0vuvo wrote

Oooph anxiety and cops is no fun. Last time I got pulled over cop walks out full tactical everything and starts grilling me, I know I pulled out in front of a guy way to close but cop starts asking if I consent to a vehicle search which I’m like nah. Internally I’m freaking out this whole time (also my fast food is getting worse with each second) anxiety levels at a point I’m visibly shaking, cop is like “WHY ARE YOU SHAKING? DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IN YOUR VEHICLE?”

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simonf75 t1_it2mmoq wrote

Your license isn't getting suspended, calm down, this is going to cost you money.

You might pay a fine. You or your insurance is definitely paying for that pole, and if you do make a claim with your insurance, your premiums are likely going up.

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Gavin_the_Gullible t1_it2ord0 wrote

In the future, if you're in the parking lot, apply the brakes before adjusting anything too much. If you're on a road, pull over. This is not the end of the world, OP. As others have said, you'll likely keep your license, and you're unscathed, so relax. Eat your McDonald's. I mean for God's sake you crashed into a pole to get it home, may as well eat it! (Tried to be humorous with the last line, not sure if it worked)

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Squigglepig52 t1_it2pese wrote

Well, lesson learned. Never, ever, take your eyes off the road to do something like you did.

A friend did a similar thing in her new car, just after getting her license - went right through an iron fence.

Anyway -lesson learned, right?

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poopyrattler t1_it0ocm4 wrote

tifu by crashing my car into a poo

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FutureDome12 t1_it1gacw wrote

Try to eat your mcds and chill. As long as your car isn't wrecked you'll be fine. Tell the court what happened snd apologize. They will reduce your ticket.

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Slash_Raptor92 t1_it2kvda wrote

I've been through that feeling after two accidents and two write offs within a year of each other. But eventually I was able to drive again. Just give yourself some time, that's what I did.

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Tanagrabelle t1_it2srwk wrote

Hugs to you!

Accidents do happen, and I am so glad no one was hurt. What ever happens with your license, it happens.

So you've learned, and can really internalize it, that if things spill and you want to set them right, pull over as soon as you safely can.

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dooderino18 t1_it49jb0 wrote

>TL;DR: Crashed my car into a pole all because of a fucking McDonalds bag. Cops showed up, and now I have to go to court.

It wasn't the fault of the McDonald's bag, it was because you let yourself become distracted. If you don't acknowledge the real problem, you may make the same mistake again.

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Smangie9443 t1_it8z3w2 wrote

You don’t have to “go to court”. Just go to the address on the ticket and pay the fine.

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Squadala1337 t1_it3mub3 wrote

Well, you should lose your driver’s license, both for goin after a McDonald’s bag while driving and for taking the car for a 5 min drive. But you probably won’t.

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