These type of things always happens to someone else…?!

I didn’t think the 17th of June was going to be different from any other day in 2010. I went shopping as usual, because the local store is open till nine on Thursday. I left the store around 8:40pm. I came to the intersection where the two main roads meet, and sat waiting for the green light. I was smiling because it had been an amazing day! Then, a minute later, I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

The light turned green so the car in front of me could turn left. I wasn’t paying attention, and thought the light was green for everyone. A second too late, I noticed two things: the light was still red, and a big white car was coming toward me from my left side. Next, there was a big noise and a feeling of fading into a whiteout….something was covering my face and I couldn’t see! Then I realized the airbags had deployed.

Next I smelled, then saw smoke. I knew I needed to get out in case it exploded. I tried the driver’s side door, and realized it had gotten seriously damaged in the crash. I was determined not to stay trapped, so I kicked the door continuously. It opened just enough to push my way out. I stood up and looked around. Traffic had come to a halt in all four directions, and people were crowded around staring. I was horrified!

I looked back at my car. I hadn’t put the handbrake on, and it was slowly rolling backwards! I got behind it and tried to stop it by pushing. I was hoping if I started, someone would come help. No one did, and I was so weak from the accident I couldn’t hold it any longer. I had to let go, and I was terrified someone would get hurt. Luckily, my car turned just a bit to the left and ran into a lamp post. The impact set the horn to blaring, which only added to the already overwhelming situation.

Suddenly, I was surrounded by people. The police, firefighters, and paramedics were all there. I was relieved to learn that no one was hurt. A police officer asked me questions about car insurance for the accident report. Everyone was very polite and professional. The paramedics looked me over, took a blood sample and had me do a breathalyzer test. They told me what symptoms to watch for, the officer gave me a $500 ticket for running the red light, and I went home. I felt so confused, empty, and ashamed that I couldn’t sleep.

The next day my neck hurt, I had severe headaches, and felt pressure in my chest. I went to the doctor who told me that this happens to a lot of people after an accident. I wore a neck brace for a day and then I was okay.

Even now it’s hard to talk about. Sure, my comprehensive car insurance replaced my car. It’s not about the money or the car. I still wonder: what if someone had died? You can’t replace a person with a life insurance payout. I made a mistake, but those words wouldn’t heal a broken heart. June 17th started out like any other day, but became a lesson in how quickly almost everything can be lost.