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Car wreck help

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requiemblue

Greenlighter
Joined
Oct 1, 2013
Messages
37
Hi, this is is the first time I've posted since my incident on 2/26/15. I was driving for literally 3 or so minutes and rolled into the shoulder where the speed limit was 45.. Overcorrected , rolled and landed upside in oncoming traffic. I hit no one , but was trapped in the and roof caved in and paramedics had to drill me out. I don't remember much, except the 2nd roll and knowing I might die. I closed my eyes and thought.. It's been a good run, I love my mom. I was not severely injured besides a broken femur.

So, I have to buy a car today or tomorrow and I am TERRIFIED. If you could have been there oh my god. How do I ever drive normally again? Sorry if this sounds dumb, but I'm scared: I have to have my drivers pull over so I can throw up. ok..sorry for the ramble guys... Any words of encouragement? Help. Please. Ps. For the record I was sober and going to Starbucks drive through :(
 
This does not sound dumb at all. About a year ago I was in a very serious accident driving to the store to get paint for my new house. I remember I was in a hurry to get back and had a lot on my mind at the time. I failed to yield at a green light and turned left straight into oncoming traffic traveling at about 55 miles per hour. I was knocked unconscious for about two minutes and woke up to people surrounding me and smoke. Honestly I'm getting emotional just writing this and remembering. It is crazy how one second life is normal and how fast that can change in an instant. My car was destroyed, the entire passenger side pushed completely inwards. Thankfully somehow neither me nor the driver I pulled out in front of was seriously injured because we were both driving bigger cars. Had the car hit me from the other side I would have been dead instantly. Had my girlfriend come with me like she almost did she would not be here with me still today.

I am still not fully recovered from this. I don't drive much anymore as my work is walking distance from my house. And I use that as an excuse not to. Your experience sounds terrifying and I completely understand your fears and anxiety about getting a car and getting back out on the road. <3 you can do it though. Perhaps you could try seeking therapy if you feel you would benefit from it at all. I am on medication and that helps me, but I would not recommend that unless you felt it was absolutely needed as a last resort. Things will get better if you let them. The best thing to do I thik is just get back out there. The sooner you get back on the road the better. Though this advice is coming from someone who still fears driving after their own accident...I have been in four accidents total, and the one described above is the only one I was sober during.
 
Agree. Give yourself some time and if necessary, go see a psychologist.
 
I was in a head on collision with a car going 70 mph (112 kph) when I was going 15 mph (24 kph)

One of the loudest sounds I have ever heard.

Somehow, I was not hurt very bad at all, but I was picked up from the hospital by a friend and the drive home was a nightmare. I had some sorta PTS going on and would go into full blown panic whenever an oncoming car approached.

This went on for a long time. I used slow emersion ot eventually overcome it. At first I would drive very short distances at low speeds in safe and unstressful places. I then slowly increased the distances, speeds, and levels of stress associated with driving.

Eventually I was able to work through the fear response.

Good luck with finding a solution:)
 
Cosmic Giraffe, you're so right how things can change in an instant. I woke up and I was like why the hell am I on the steering shift and the floorboards are on the ceiling. I feel a lot of guilt to be honest. The creepy part, I slammed my head into the windshield into a friend's old car six weeks ago. Final Destination? What the heck..

My dad is a doc and he said my accident- those are the ones that don't even make it to the trauma bay. I do think I need to see a psychologist though. I can't sleep at night ? your responses have been so kind I really appreciate it.

If you want to chime in more, my PTSD is overwhelming me. I'm going to get a car now. Wish me good vibes, my friends. ?
 
I was just in a far less serious accident (got rear ended when I was at a stoplight and bounced into the car in front) where no one was hurt. Still, I am extremely nervous now when I drive but it is even worse when I am a passenger. I'm driving everyone else crazy because I keep wincing and gasping like they are going to hit someone. When I am on the street I am leaving ridiculous lengths between me and all other traffic. This is my second time going through this so I know it will pass but it is certainly intense going through it.

At night when you can't sleep or any other time when you feel panicky try to stop and do some deep concentrated breathing. Tell yourself, "this is how trauma feels in the body." Then notice how it does feel--where do you hold it? (For me it is neck and shoulders getting tight). Bring your attention to that part of your body and envision breathing into it, relaxing with each exhale. Tell yourself that you do not need to hold onto the fear and keep up the slow concentrated breathing. Over time you can let go of the trauma. Be patient but be proactive as well. Lots of times we try to bury trauma in the body and that never has a very good outcome.
 
It helps me so much to hear other people have the same fears. I got my car and have been driving. I think the main issue was the loss of control. When you're rolling, there is NO CONTROL. You have to accept that whatever happens, will. Just like in life- I suppose? I'm sorry if my post is redundant, you guys just help me so much. ?
 
I am happy to read things are going well for you requiem :) Keep staying strong and positive!

I am the exact same way now Herbavore. Every time I am riding in the car with my girlfriend I can't help but constantly tell her to please slow down, break, watch out!, keep your distance, etc. I have been doing deep breathing exercises but have not thought to focus on the areas of my body that are physically feeling the stress. For me it is my stomach and my chest, to be more specific my heart. I think I will give it a go today as I am feeling particularly edgy and anxious. Thank you.
 
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