Experienced driver shares car crash experience

Last week I was involved in a car wreck at the intersection between 48th and Normal. This was my first ever car accident, and the first blemish on the otherwise perfect record that I held. Hopefully this never happens to you, but if it does, I will act as a guide.

Once you’ve been hit, the details of everything will escape you. It will be hard to believe that what you remember of your car is pretty much gone now. In its place is a fine mist of glass, dust and broken plastic. If your radio happened to be on at the moment of impact, there is a chance that it will stay on. Trying to turn it off is a waste of time.

If you can, try your best to escape your vehicle and get to some grass. If your crash is right next to Union College, there should be a sizable crowd of people ready to help you. No matter what you think your standing is in the community, somebody will be there.

If you are still in shock, you might be pretty rude to these people. The important thing to remember is that they understand. Most people have felt the shock and shame that you do now. All you want is to hide from the people trying to help you, but instead you are face to face with servants of God trying their best.

When the EMTs try to take you to the hospital, you might try to decline at first. This is not advisable, but they will let you do it anyway if you sign a form. If your situation is comparable to mine, then you will come to your senses and accept the hospital visit. For some reason, it is protocol to make all patients of your kind wear an embarrassing neck brace. Considering the stakes of the situation you were just in, worrying about the neck brace is fairly trivial. Yet, you worry anyway.

Eventually, everything does work out. If you have any sense at all, you’ll recognize the fragility of life and your own ability to make sense of it. Things you were nervous to pursue, now seem to be within your grasp. As destruction surges all around the world, this little experience helps you see God in the broken glass and automatic blood-pressure monitors. The assumption that He is in control seems like a crazy one until you experience it.

By Luke Morris