Random? car crash

Namaste Readers,

I survived my FIRST car accident.  My lane was flowing while the left lane had a stop.  Another car was trying to turn left against opposing traffic and behind it was a black Sedan.  I almost passed the stopped car ( making the left turn ).  Then in my peripheral vision, I saw the black bumper inching towards my car.  Surely the Sedan driver sees my car, since it's apparent that I was already there, right? 

A jolt here and metal crunching there and my car was hit.  I turned on the hazards lights and drove to the side of the road in front of Ruffenach Funeral Home.  I got out of the car ( not even thinking if the accident would be a hit and run ).  The other guy, clearly a senior citizen, got out of his car with all his information; I had to run back to get my information from the glove compartment.

Around 2:50ish, I called 911 and told them I got in a car accident. "Is there smoke coming out?... Are you okay?... Where did the accident take place?" What's so strange was that this road which I always drive through became so unfamiliar.  How was I supposed to know where I was? I just got into an accident.

The guy sensing my lack of direction said, "We're in Township Line Road."  I repeated what the old guy said and told the police that we were heading towards Philadelphia and we were near a church and school.

While waiting for the police to arrive, the old guy tried to make small talk.  I absentmindedly chit-chatted  but inside in my mind, I was all over the place; I was mad that all of this was happening.  "Don't worry, I've been in several accidents... did the police say what time they'll get here?... I'm not supposed to discuss the accident with you... we're all okay so that's good." Well this is my first accident so I don't really know what to do; I don't know any procedures.

The police arrived and told us to park our cars in the next street ( Alexandria St. in Upper Darby Township ) to prevent other accidents that day.  I told him what happened; he filed a report and gave us a number.  Since everybody was okay, he told us to move on and enjoy the rest of the day.

Of course I couldn't enjoy the rest of the day.  I got home and filed a claim.  My 2 options were to file a claim with my insurance company and pay the deductable of $500 OR wait forever filing a claim with the other guy's insurance company ( which I forgot to get but it's in the police report ).  I listened to the advice of my insurance company because I'm their client and they SHOULD look out for my best interest ( right? ). 

They asked for the details, and they got my information.  According to the agent, it was irrelevant that this was my 1st accident while it was the other guy's 2nd-3rd-4th? accident.  If this was irrelevant, then why would there be a chance for my insurance to go up? ( hopefully the accident forgiveness commercial is not just a commercial but a reality ). 

My car's driver's door was bent caused by the impact from the other guy's front bumper, which just received a scrape ( above the wheel in 3/4ths angle, thank God for art classes! )  I thought the police report would cover everything; it did but not in a "timely" manner.  The agent I talked with implied that getting police reports would take forever. 

I would have to do all the claiming.  I thought that one is paying so much $ for insurance company so they do all of this stuff and be the middle person.  In such an event, how does one immediately compose oneself to think about all these issues?

It's true that this accident is minor compared to losing one's life or being injured badly;  All parties survived; no one was hurt.  I'm alive, I'm frazzled so I can complain that it's a hassle from a history of hassles ( I really don't mean to be ungrateful; oh life! )