1. 1st time in an accident (last Saturday), that left the left side of my van torn to bits.

2. Hope so. Been driving for nearly 20 years. Believe it or not, last Saturday was the only accident that happened where I was inside my vehicle. Past (minor) accidents happened while I was far from my ride. Usually, it was parked.

3. Like I said, been driving for nearly two decades. It was only last Saturday that I was involved in a car accident with me inside my van. So, to answer, I had a long streak without an accident.

Like what BBimmer said, always practice defensive driving.

Cheers.