On February 11, 2009, I caused a car accident on University Drive about several blocks away from the Mesa Court dormitories at UCI--or at least I think I did. This came about a couple months after just acquiring my driver's license, and I was then trying to carve out my preferred route to school. I had been trucking it on the surface streets for quite awhile, but leaving an hour before class started was starting to wear me down, so I finally caved in and decided to take to the highways, which for inexperienced drivers, is much like going on a loop-de-loop roller coaster for the first time.
I live on the border between Santa Ana and Orange right where the 22 runs west to east. I start out by getting on the 22 East; the entrance of which, is conveniently located about two blocks away from my house. After getting on the 22, I immediately take the exit for the 55 south, and drive straight all the way down until I hit the 73. The 73 curves to the east, and I get off on University Drive, which goes down to the Mesa Court where I make a right on Mesa Rd, and then park in the Mesa Parking Structure.
The event itself was not spectacular, and doubtless, it resembles many similar events that have transpired before my time and after, an endless number of them, spread throughout America. Following closely behind the car in front of me down University Dr, moving at a fairly nice clip, I had to slam on the brakes unexpectedly when the car in front slowed down to a stop. I was able to avoid hitting his rear fender, unfortunately, the cars behind me did not have that luxury.
Besides the screeching tires, and the tell-tale phantom sound of collision, I looked in my rear mirror to see the line of cars behind me get smaller. The light had turned green, and as I was moving, the line behind me did not. I noticed that the car doors opened, as the drivers in the unlucky incident must be going out to inspect the level of damage, and as for me, well I high-tailed it out of there.
Now I might've caused the accident or not, but I was no doubt a factor. The car's sudden stop in front of me caused me to do the same and I can't be held responsible for the sluggish reflexes for the driver behind me. As soon as I parked myself, I pulled out my cellphone, and typed it "Caused car accident." to commemorate the event.
