Post car crash anxiety

[Hollyvw92]

Hi all,

i am 26 years old and had the unlucky experience of being involved in a head on collision today. I have always dealt with severe anxiety and obviously today the anxiety is in its glory taking control of my mind. I understand it’s normal and most people in my situation would be feeling somewhat anxious however, me being an overly anxious person in general anyway, I feel as though it’s gonna take me longer than most people to get over this. I very luckily walked away from the accident with a sore neck and some bruised knees. Thank god the other driver was absolutely fine, with no injuries whatsoever. We were both in the wrong as we both went through yellow lights. I was going straight and he was turning in front so we crashed straight into each other head on. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on dealing with this and getting the courage up to get back behind the wheel? My car is most likely a write off and I’ve decided to hold off getting a rental as I know I’m going to be a nervous wreck the next time I drive. Even today as a passenger in the car and my partner driving, every time someone had to give way to my partner I nearly had a panic attack thinking the other driver wasn’t going to stop. Now I am also stressing about how much I’m going to get paid out and if it’s going to cover my loan. I am also stressing about who’s fault it is and whether this is going to ruin my insurance history. If anyone has any tips or has even been in a similar situation and is keen to share their story, please shout out

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Holly,

What a distressing and scary situation to have been in. I’m so relieved that you emerged relatively unscathed (physically at least or for the most part anyway), but I realise the fears and anxiety lingers...

I think it’s all still very raw, so it’s no wonder you felt so on edge even in the passenger seat. I feel for you...

I think, especially given your existing anxiety, maybe it would help to talk to a professional e.g. a counsellor or psychologist. The reason that I’m gently suggesting it (I hope that’s okay with you) is because I feel maybe s/he/other will have strategies to help you manage your heightened anxiety and help you re-build your confidence in the car. I wonder if maybe this is something you might like to consider....

In the mean time, I hope you’re being extra kind to yourself after the accident, and please feel free to write any time here to vent or purge feelings. There’s no pressure of course, but just know that this is a safe space for you with many caring forum members around who want to listen.

kind thoughts to you today,

Pepper

[Hollyvw92]

Hi pepper,

thanks so much for your kind reply. I do see a psyhcologist regularly anyway so I’ll be seeing him next week to talk over things. I am feeling a bit better after a sleep as well.

thanks again, take care.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Hollyvw,

Thank you so much for writing in again 🙂 It’s lovely to hear that your mood has lifted a little. A good night’s sleep can make a difference...

I’m glad you have your psychologist’s support. If between now and your appointment (and any other time of course), you feel nervous or want to vent or chat, please don’t hesitate to write in again. There are many caring people here reading and listening.

Kind thoughts to you today,

Pepper

[geoff]

Hello Hollyvw92, can I offer you a warm welcome.

Being involved in a car accident where your car is probably a write off, the insurance assessors will determine whether it is or not.

I know myself how frightening this can be as I was in a car, actually a van accident where I hit an electricity pole but for you, I'm sorry you've damaged your neck and knees, so anything that relates to these injuries are covered by the Vic government's TAC.

These doctor visits and psychologist sessions should also be paid by the TAC, your doctor can organise this for you.

The insurance companies will decide who is to blame by drawings you submit to them of how it happened.

One way to build up the courage is to ask your psych about 'desensitisation' it's a program where you can gradually get behind the wheel and start driving again.

The money you get paid depends on whether the policy was 'new for old' or 'current value of other similar cars, maybe you can let us know.

If you are suffering from anxiety and/or depression then please get the necessary treatment from your psychologist and then ask TAC for a compensation costs form.

Please let me know if you want any other information.

best wishes.

Geoff.

[therising]

Hi Hollyvw92

So glad you and the other driver are okay, besides your sore knees and neck pain. Also glad you have a mental health professional in place in your life to help you through this.

Such an experience can definitely be shocking in a number of ways. Of course, there's that shock to the body as well as shock regarding the brain's involvement in processing the situation.

Having been in a car accident a number of years ago, although I hadn't suffered from anxiety preceding the accident, I did experience some anxiety afterwards. The brain is a strange thing: Whilst it can be a highly efficient processor/computer, it can read mental programs in a fashion that undeniably disrupts our way of life. Eg: After a car accident, the brain may compute other vehicles as being 'a threat'. It will go into high alert mode even when this mode isn't necessary. We can be driving down a pretty laid back stretch of familiar road when all of a sudden our brain registers another vehicle and BAM into high alert it goes. When high alert isn't necessary, it can be difficult to switch this off before it manifests as anxiety.

I imagine your psychologist will help you to rewrite the 'threat' program in your brain, if it has come to exist, so that it becomes a 'caution' program (a far less intense mental program that is already a part of the natural driving experience). Using some anxiety fighting strategies that I imagine already exist for you will help with changing your mind in regard to driving. Personally, I found that navigating familiar territory, day by day, had me associating more with my driving ability. Even with a major panic attack soon after my accident, I found myself saying 'You've done this drive many times, so you know you'll be okay! You know it's achievable, without incident.' Dictating to our brain how it's going to interpret a situation is key. Being the master of our brain, as opposed to it being the master of us is at times no easy feat, for sure.

In regard to the insurance, just take it one step at a time: follow the prompts from your insurance company when it comes to the process and paperwork. They'll help you manage your way through it. Make sure you stay on them though, to avoid the process becoming some long-winded experience. I had my dad help me through the paperwork side of things at the time - he was an absolute champion. You might consider your partner to be your 'go to' person in regard to support throughout the insurance process.

Take care

[Soberlicious96]

Hi there,

I have been in 2 car crashes, as a passenger both times. Both times it was the fault of the driver in the other car. the first time, when I was 19, I walked away with a few bruises and a sore neck. But the more recent crash, 3 years ago, was also head-on and at 'high speed' (in a 100km zone, combined speed of both cars at the point of impact was 120 kms per hour) and I had internal bleeding, cracked ribs, damage to my bowel, my liver, my kidney, me spleen, my left knee and my left shoulder was also quite damaged. If it weren't for the airbag and seatbelt, I would not be sitting here typing this. And I can tell you that whether passenger or driver, it's always scary getting back in the car. But what I kept telling myself is this; I have been travelling around in cars for 48 years now, and only been in 2 car crashes. so yes, while it's scary and a truly horrible experience, it's not necessarily one that will happen on a regular basis. Particularly if you now aware of just how easy it is to think "It's okay, I'll be right with this amber light/this stop sign/overtaking on the country road/sending or reading that text/having that drink ........." ad infinitum to the list of excuses that drivers make.

Trauma takes a while to move back in your mind, but what helps is to look at the facts. Look at what you CAN control, and what you CAN see and do to prevent a crash. If your partner is doing anything behind the wheel that you are not comfortable with, then tell him/her. And when you yourself are driving and you have even the SLIGHTEST of doubt about doing something that may be unsafe, then don't do it. Let other impatient drivers go around you. Give yourself the time to recover, and the wisdom to not rush so much next time. Better to arrive late, than be dead on time.

As for insurance and all that stuff, again, just do what you can and leave the rest to those qualified to handle it. You will be okay eventually.

[Hollyvw92]

Hi Geoff,

thanks so so much for the information, that’s very helpful. I can imagine driving into an electricity pole would have been very scary for you.

unfortunately my car is under ‘market value’ so I will get whatever they deem to be reasonable for the condition it was in I suppose. Oh well I just keep trying to remind myself that cars are replaceable, people aren’t.

thanks again.

take care,

[Hollyvw92]

Hi there,

thank you for taking the time to reply to my message and sharing your tips. What you’ve described is spot on. Even just seeing another car breaking etc has me jumping and getting flashbacks.

I guess ill I’ll just have to take it one step at a time and show the anxiety who’s boss again 🙂

Have a lovely evening,

holly

[Hollyvw92]

Hi!

thanks for replying and sharing your story. 100km head on with another car sounds so so scary. That would have been such a traumatic experience. Sounds like you had some pretty terrible injuries as well but I’m glad you are still here with us today.

Thats a a really great point about looking at what I can control vs what I can’t. I am hoping this experience will help me be a bit more cautious on the road and I’ve definitely learnt that if you’re having second thoughts about whether you can make it through the yellow light or not, don’t do it.

thanks again for sharing your story,

holly