On Monday I had a serious accident. I collided head on with a van travelling at high speed
in a cross road. My car completely smashed (front passenger side was non existing after
crash) yet I survived with bruises and muscle sprain and could walk of my own. Paramedics
and doctors said no broken ribs. Still has pain in chest which will take weeks to recover.
Seat belt and airbag saved my life. During the moment of impact, the seatbelt tightned
automatically so much to keep me positioned on seat that I got bruises on ribs and waist.
Both airbags were also deployed. My speed was ~25 mph and van's was ~40 mph. So combined
speed was ~65 mph. After hitting me, the van hit a railing at roadside which bent on impact. The van (VW Transporter) had crumpled front but was still drivable though it was making terrible mechanical sound and was recovered by truck along with my car.
The whole impact happened in less than a second. The impact hit my car (2006 Suzuki Ignis)
so hard that it turned 180 degree! I still can't remember how exactly it happened. At that
very moment I felt severe jolt, saw airbag opening in front of me, felt severe pain in parts
of my body (due to jerk/seat belt tensioning) and thought I am dying. May be that's what
called 'g' force effect. No word can explain this experience. It is only felt by who has
actually been involved in a high speed accident.
Initially I was so trumatised that I thought I'd give up driving forever. Then recovered and
realized that won't solve any problem and I have to drive again anyway.
I have to buy a new car now. Decided to buy a newer car (against an older but luxury car) as
much my budget allows because I think car safety has made good progress in recent years. Had
I been a banger, I might not have survived to type this. In fact I dropped the idea of old
banger after some of you recommended against aruging newer (albeing small) cars are safer.
Glad that I followed your advice.
Those who are regular here may recall that earlier I posted a thread for an old auto to do
my 40+40 miles daily commute. But recently I changed job so that I can commute by train
instead. Unfortunately on first day of new job, I thought we'll go by car first week and
then use the train from next week. But accidents do happen! I am using train now BTW.
I have started my normal life again (though only driving is from home to rail station). Not
taking any pain killers as I can bear the chest pain. Sleeping at night is painful at night
when body makes a particular angle. Can't walk fast. Just hoping things will improve over
time.
PS: I have been told by doctors that seat belt tensioning can actually break bones!
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