These Auto Accident Victims Wanted You To Know…
If you’ve never been in a car accident, you can learn something from people who have been. Following are lessons learned from people who were in serious car accidents and lived to tell about them.
I was travelling far too fast and close to have any hope of stopping. (Oliver)
Slow down. So many people who have been in an accident say they didn’t have time to stop to avoid the crash. Obey the speed limit signs and keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Don’t think obeying the speed limit signs means you can go 5 or 10 miles over—as Oliver found out the hard way. Speed limits are determined based on the types of roads and take into account a variety of safety factors. And whatever the speed limit is, you should be at least 3 seconds behind the car in front of you—6 if road conditions are bad.
The next time I wake up, I’m going 75 mph in a 45, and I’m completely off the road heading toward a stop sign. (William)
If you’re falling asleep at the wheel, don’t keep driving! Get off the road and rest until you are fully awake again. Opening the car window, blaring the radio, eating snacks, and/or drinking caffeinated drinks may not work. Just ask William. Your safest bet when you’re having trouble staying awake is to get off the road—or not to get on the road in the first place. If you are planning to take an extended trip, be sure to get a full-night’s sleep beforehand and, if possible, travel with someone who can take over the driving duties when necessary.
Now I have a rule for myself—If my windshield wipers are on, I slow down. (Chris)
Inclement weather is a huge factor in car crashes. Rain, fog, sleet, snow, and ice can reduce visibility, traction, speed control, and brake performance. Whatever the posted speed limit, when driving conditions are less than ideal, slow down, as Chris wishes he had done. And be aware that road conditions can continue to be treacherous even after sunny weather has returned. There may be pockets of slick surfaces and deep puddles that can cause you to lose control of your car.
My memory went seamlessly from driving and looking down at the map to laying on my back in a brightly lit room. (anonymous)
Distracted driving may be deadly driving. The last thing this driver remembers before waking up in an ER is looking on a map for directions. He readily admits that he would have been better off getting directions from others in the car rather than searching for them himself—or finding directions before getting behind the wheel. Any distractions that cause you to take your eyes and focus from the road can have serious consequences.
I was in a car accident. The reason—lack of sobriety. (anonymous)
We all know not to drink and drive. And yet, many people still do so. Maybe you have driven home safely a number of times after drinking. This may give you a false sense of security. Certainly, this driver felt confident he could still handle the car, but he was almost dead wrong! Don’t drive under the influence of anything! Designate a driver or stay where you are.
My friend did not have her seatbelt on, so the impact sent her into the windshield. (Douglas)
Always wear your seatbelt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, your risk of dying from injuries from a car crash as a front seat passenger is 45% higher when you don’t wear a seatbelt. The seatbelt is designed to keep you from hitting the front of the car or being thrown completely from it. When you are thrown from a car, you risk colliding with other vehicles, persons, or objects. Thankfully, Douglas’ friend has recovered from her crash with the windshield—and now, always wears her seatbelt!
Even if you think you aren’t hurt, go and get checked out. (Kelly)
Many people who have been in an accident say they felt fine at first but later found out that they were actually injured. It’s hard to judge whether or not you’re injured or to what degree when shock sets in. Human beings also have a tendency to resist medical attention. Injuries may be internal or masked by swelling—as was the case for Kelly. Don’t risk your health or future problems with your insurance settlement. Take Kelly’s advice and get checked out immediately after an accident.
If you, like those mentioned above, are in an accident, don’t just assume you’re fine. Come to the Accident and Injury clinic nearest you immediately. We’ll give you a thorough examination and come up with the best treatment plan for your recovery. And like Oliver, William, Chris, Kelly, and the rest, talk to others about your accident. Share what you’ve learned from it. Your advice may just help to prevent accidents for others in the future.
