Okay so last Tuesday, I saw a really bad car accident. Like, scary bad. It happened right in front of me on the highway. Honestly messed me up for a minute, just froze. But then my brain kicked in, and I started doing stuff, remembering all those accident guides. This ain’t theoretical anymore.
The First Second: Pure Shock
Boom! Crunch! Metal flying. My car jerked sideways, almost hit the barrier. Heart pounding like crazy. Saw the other car spinning. Total panic zone. Took me maybe five whole seconds just to breathe again. Felt like forever.
Getting My Act Together & Calling For Help
First thing I did? Gripped the steering wheel hard and pulled myself off the road as far as I could. Don’t want to get hit again! Turned on my hazard lights right away – blink, blink, blink. Important signal.
- Grabbed my phone. My stupid hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Seriously.
- Called 911. Had to dial twice because I fumbled.
- Told them where I was – focused super hard on the mile marker sign. Told them “bad accident, multiple cars involved, cars are mangled, people inside.” Could see the drivers not moving.
- Stayed on the line like they said. Operator lady was crazy calm, helped a ton.
Checking Things Out: Safety First, Always
Okay, car stopped. Hazards on. Help coming. Took a deep breath. Needed to see if I could help anyone else. Got out carefully, looking everywhere for other cars screaming down the road. Walked over slowly.
- Smelled gasoline right away. Bad sign. Saw some smoke from under one hood. Kept my distance a bit.
- Looked at the smashed cars. One looked folded. My own car had airbags popped, felt kinda dizzy.
- Went to the other car that got hit worst. Shouted, “Hey! Can you hear me?” Got a groan back. Door was jammed shut, crushed.
Helping Someone Else: Feeling Useless & Useful
Felt a bit useless standing there. Couldn’t open the door. Didn’t want to move them. Saw the lady inside, bloody face, breathing though, moaning.
- Talked to her. Said help was coming. Told her my name. Told her to try and stay still. She looked terrified.
- Saw another guy stumbling out of his car nearby, holding his arm weird. Walked him gently away from the road, sat him down on the grass. Told him help was almost here.
- Just waited then with them. Kept talking. Kept watching for cops and ambulance.
The Cavalry Arrives & Aftermath Stuff
Heard the sirens finally. Big relief. Fire trucks, police, ambulance – whole parade.
- Shouted at them that one car had bad gas smell and smoke. Firefighters rushed over with gear.
- Got totally checked out by a paramedic. Told them about the dizziness. They checked my head, vitals. Said airbag impact probably. Took some info.
- Cop asked me what happened. Told him everything I remembered. Gave my info. Took a photo of his card.
- Sat in an ambulance wrapped in one of those blanket things. Shaking again. Adrenaline wearing off big time.
- Called my insurance company while I was sitting there. Brain wasn’t working great, but I told them “accident, cops here, cars totaled probably.” Started the claim then and there.
Right Now, After
My neck feels stiff. Headache. Got a doc appointment. Talking to insurance constantly. Report is filed. Car is definitely scrap metal. Biggest thing? Mentally fried.
- Can’t stop replaying it. Tossing at night.
- Talked to a friend about it. Helps.
- Not pushing myself. Resting.
- Got the police report number. Need it for everything.
Seeing it happen for real? Changes you. Glad I remembered the basics. Help first, get safe, talk, gather info. Still, wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Stay careful out there, people. Hope this finds you well.