Getting Back on the Horse

[WuLabsWuTecH]

Hi Everyone,

Some of you may know this, but about a month ago, I was involved in an automobile accident. It was pretty bad totaling both cars, but none of the passengers in my POV or the other driver was hurt.

Yesterday, exactly a month later, I tried driving for the first time. My pulse was racing the entire time, and I was very jumpy and brake happy. After about 2-3 hours on the road, I called it quits and we changed drivers for the finishing of running errands.

My accident involved me making a left turn, but anything now makes me jumpy. Someone who I think might not stop when coming off of a side street gets a blast from my horn, approaching a traffic light will cause me to slow down and brake to about 30 mph until I can see clearly that no one will try and dart out in front of me, etc.

I would say that I am a really good driver, I follow all traffic laws and almost never speed (only occasionally will i got a couple over the limit when I'm not looking at my speedometer). I've never been issued a citation/ticket and was not issued one after my accident.

My question is, has anyone else ever been in a car accident and is it normal to feel like this after a car accident? If so, do you have any suggestions as to how to relieve my jumpiness and lower my heart rate when driving?

I am scheduled to go back to work in just under a month from now and that involves driving a big red truck so I'm just worried that I won't be able to do that...

Thanks for any advice you can offer me!
-Wu

 

[KEVD18]

ive been in a few accident. both as a driver and passenger. ive never had ptsd from it, so ic ant help you there, except to say you might need pro help.

 

[gillysaurus]

I've been in a few accidents, and I felt exactly the same way you do. In fact, my first accident when I was 17 was a simple fender bender, but for at least a few weeks after I would get really jumpy if I didn't think someone was slowing down enough behind another car.

The only thing that helped me after the more severe accidents was exposure to driving again. You're doing the right thing by going out for a while with another capable driver and just driving around. The more I exposed myself to driving after accidents made my anxiety decrease exponentially and my trust in other drivers increase, though never back to what it was when I was a new, naive driver.

It'll be frustrating for a while, but I don't think you have anything as bad as PTSD. Just be as careful as you can (without being dangerously slow or brake happy!) and it is a good idea to bring someone else along for the next few times until you feel comfortable enough to drive alone. If you get too jumpy or tachy, try deep breathing (in for 8 seconds, hold for 4, out for 8 seconds) and remind yourself that you're safe now and in control of your vehicle.

I'm sorry you had such a crappy accident. I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Onceamedic]

I had been driving for 6 weeks when I was in a head on collision on the highway. When I was released from hospital, my dad made me drive home. I was terrified. He said that I had to get right back or I risked never driving again. I didnt drive again for 3 years. A couple of years ago, I rolled my van at 75 mph. For a few years, whenever it snowed, I was scared. You do have to drive for a living. Take it easy, drive as carefully as you can, breathe through the fear. Don't be surprised if it jumps up and surprises you from time to time. To answer your question, your responses are totally normal and they do pass. Good luck to you.

 

[mycrofft]

You'll be ok whatever the outcome, but driving's got a lot to offer.

I will bet that you can look back and think of a few things you were doing right, either as good driving habits or in reaction to the incident, which affected the outcome favorably. You are as good or potentially a better driver because of this!

I was pretty nervous driving in downtown traffic for a while after my "big" accident (forced onto a median with an eight inch curb by another motorist, at about 45 mph in a Nissan Sentra, deployed bags, bent frame and rim) and my driving has been better than before it (less speeding). Staying out of urban traffic for a few days was good for me and let me get the feel of the car I wound up driving while mine was "fixed".

Remember the rest of us out here are not out to get you (you won't get me, will you? Good!) and will successfully do our darnedest to keep from pranging our cars on yours, as long as you drive predictably. If you are going to drive more slowly, allow more time and take surface streets. If lane changes make you nervous, signal well in advance, or plan your driving to minimize them. And occasionally go out for "just a drive" to a place you want to go so driving is pleasurable again.

 

[BossyCow]

I was t-boned by a car load of teens late for school who ran a stop sign. Totaled my van. My youngest son should have been sitting in the seat where the impact took place but he was studying for a test and didn't want to move up into the front seat. (Always has been a lucky child)

After the crash, I was as jumpy as you are. I still, some years later get a bit touchy when a car is waiting at an intersection. I assume all cars are going to run stop signs, blow through red lights and generally act like idiots. It will fade with time, but I'm not sure having that awareness completely go away is a good thing.

I just talked myself through the anxiety, telling myself that I was being silly and that I had to get over it. It's perfectly normal to feel fear. The key is not letting the fear stop you from doing what needs to be done. If the anxiety doesn't fade with time and repeated exposure to those idiots behind the wheels of other cars, then you might want to seek some professional help to deal with it. But I'd give time a chance first.