My Accord -- I've named her Geneva -- needed $882.08 in repairs, including a new front bumper and grille and other smaller fixes. It could have been far worse. I'm told the car might be ready for me to pick up today.

Rental coverage is a good thing. I'm not sure how long my car will be in the shop, but I'm mobile in the meantime. It costs me $76 per year, and without it, I'd be paying at least that much per day for a car comparable to mine.

Because that tire jumped into my lane after the pickup hit it, my insurer agreed there was nothing I could have done except maintain control of my vehicle through the impact.

Under my broad-form collision policy, the $500 deductible was waived. That would have been an ugly financial hit right before Christmas. Had the tire been just lying in the road, I might have been considered at fault for not adequately watching the road ahead of me. In that case I would have had to pay the deductible.

Under more basic insurance policies, deductibles might not be so readily waived, said Nancy Cain, spokeswoman for AAA Michigan, the state's largest auto insurer. Check with your insurer to see how your policy works on matters of fault and deductibles.

I'm not the world's best driver, but I think I reacted well to this situation. In just a split second, I managed to see what was about to happen and keep my car under control, then quickly get off the road to check out the damage.

The side of a freeway isn't very safe, especially during rush hour. I didn't stick around to see whether anyone else had trouble with that tire.

guy? His name was Dan and he was from Alpena. He chuckled a bit when I told him what I do for a living. But it just goes to show you that unexpected things can happen to anyone -- and that being attentive behind the wheel could save your life.

Contact at driving@freepress.com -- e-mail is best -- or leave a message at 313-222-1450. Be sure to include your full name, the city where you live and day and evening phone numbers for verification.

This is cache, read story here