Sometimes fate comes out of nowhere to remind us of its power and presence. And sometimes a fellow motorist is following the car in front of his too closely and looks away for just a second and CRASH!
I was traveling west on State Road 580 in Dunedin, Florida when traffic stopped for a red light at the intersection of S.R. 580 and Overchash Drive. I had applied my brake and had just come to a full stop when I felt a strong jolt that made my brain feel like it was sloshing around inside my skull and sent my sunglasses flying off my head and into the backseat. My seat belt held me in place and prevented me from sustaining serious injury, but I did have whiplash and a minor seat belt bruise.
For a second, I thought that I had hit the car in front of mine. Then I looked in my rear view mirror and saw that the car behind mine had a shattered windshield and that its airbags had deployed. I grabbed my phone and got out of my car to check on the driver to see if he'd been hurt. He was stunned, but not seriously injured.
The woman driving the car in front of mine got out of her car and walked back to ask both of us if we were okay. Then she said that she had been slightly bumped, but not badly enough to cause any damage to her car (apparently, the jolt caused my foot to slip off my brake pedal, causing my car to roll into hers). She really just wanted to go home, but when she called the police, they told her that she was involved and therefore legally obliged to stay and give her statement to the police.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputy arrived on the scene and the matter was handled officiously, license, registration and insurance information was collected and run through the criminal databases for warrants and such, statements were taken, tow trucks were dispatched and the driver who was responsible was cited for careless driving. All in all, it was a pretty mundane event.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
An accident of this nature can be an unsettling experience. It's great that everyone is safe and things worked out.
Stay safe!
2 - SFC SKI
You have to love that Tampa Bay traffic.
Accidents are always unsettling because they knock you out of your safe little routine and cause you to wonder if you are ever truly safe. They helplessnes you describe in examining the accident is also common.
Glad to hear you weren't injured.
3 - Margaret Romao Toigo
The article is a sort of catharsis. It helps to share the experience and it is good to know that I am not alone.
Just like the pain in my neck and shoulder faded away over a few days, the anxiety is beginning to fade away as well.
Also, it is important to note that the reason why no one was badly injured is because we were all wearing our seat belts. So remember to buckle up, folks.
4 - Steve S
Margaret, I know what you've been through. I was stopped at a light once and the car behind me didn't stop and pushed me into the car in front of me. It is a creepy feeling to look in your rear view mirror and see an accident barreling towards you and you can't do anything about it but grip the steering wheel and wait for the inevitable.
Glad to hear you are okay.
5 - gonzo marx
Maragret,
i am glad no one was hurt.
an Important Lesson that cost only money to be reminded of...
we are NEVER "in control"...we can Choose, and guide to some extent...but nto "control"
don't mind me...reading this morning has conjured up a very strange mood...
once again..i am very happy you and the others were not hurt..
>bows, hand over fist<
Excelsior!