This week while driving down the main street of a small nearby town, a car pulled out from a parking spot into my right fender. I thought the driver had seen me, so I was shocked to hear the crunch of metal on metal. I pulled over to get out of the car, somewhat deflated at the irony of life. I’d just gotten my car back from the shop a few weeks before.
Immediately, the other driver began a sincere apology, taking full responsibility for the incident. He told me that I was in his blind spot. I guessed him to be a college student, and as we exchanged information, this turned out to be true. He wasn’t sure how to proceed; in fact, when he returned from his Dad’s car with registration and insurance cards he’d found in the glove compartment, he didn’t even know which was which. His honesty and desire to do the right thing softened the blow. By the end of our short meeting, we shook hands to introduce ourselves, wishing it had been under different circumstances. And I came out of shock long enough to assure him that accidents happen.
Very fortunately, I’d been on my way to my chiropractor’s office when the accident occurred. After about an hour resting between adjustments, I regained my balance. Sometime during the treatment, my phone rang. The young man had told me his Dad would call, and I didn’t know what to expect. I had my guard up, wondering if I’d have to assert that the accident wasn’t my fault. It turned out to be the driver’s mother. She seemed to be running interference between her husband (who was not pleased at that moment) and her son. She wanted to connect, to be sure I was OK, and to express their desire not to report the fender bender to the insurance company, if that was acceptable to me.
Over the next few days, we spoke several times. I got an estimate for the damage as well as the rental car cost for the four days it would take to repair and repaint. I texted pictures and documentation. She assured me all costs would be covered, and we agreed it would be best for them to pay the auto body shop directly.
Something else happened during these phone calls and texts. Politeness and mutual respect built a sense of trust and goodwill between strangers. We talked a bit about where her son was attending college, and we wished each other a happy new year. When she apologized for any inconvenience to me, I said, That’s alright; everybody learned something. She wholeheartedly agreed, Absolutely! And no one was hurt; that’s what’s most important.
It’s a pleasure to do business with people who demonstrate integrity and goodwill. When we step up to take responsibility, everyone benefits. And who knows that a chance meeting might not be entirely random after all.
P.S. 86 Photos of Acts of Kindness : http://www.viralnova.com/acts-of-kindness-random/