Close Call
Recently, I got a front row seat to a gruesome car accident during my afternoon commute home. I was so close that I could’ve easily been pulled into the fray if miniscule details didn’t work out in my favor like my distance from the random glass spilling on the ground and the flying car pieces. It’s safe to say that the Lord definitely protected me that day and I can’t quite describe how grateful I am to have escaped without any damage.
Let me set the scene and tell you all about my experience. I was riding in the Peach Pass lane as normal and was literally less than three miles away from my exit off of the interstate. I had the sunroof back, my music was loud, and the sun was shining brightly before it retired for the evening. I was singing my little heart out while still being cautious of my surroundings since I felt like people had been driving weird ever since I got in the car.
Lo and behold, traffic started piling up in the regular lanes to my right and I cruised right along in my empty lane until I noticed a car in the lane directly next to me driving entirely too fast. I was a little distance back, but I saw that even though the other cars were at a stand still, that one car was flying and rapidly approaching. The moment I realized that they weren’t going to stop, my adrenaline started pumping and I immediately started applying my brakes before watching the carnage.
There were so many things going on at one time that made the situation so uniquely difficult. First, the car that got rear ended smashed into another car to its right, but the original car that was speeding ended up flipping over and careening into the cement barrier. By that point, I was stomping on my brakes to avoid rolling over any of the broken glass or getting involved in the wreck. I barely noticed my work bags fell on the floor and I couldn’t tell you what song I was listening to. To make matters worse, I was praying the people behind me were paying attention so I wouldn’t get rear ended while trying to avoid the initial crash.
After I came to a complete stop and thanked the Lord that my car escaped unscathed, I had to make my way across three lanes just to get a clear path to continue my commute. I could see the traffic piling up behind me as I made my quick escape away from the scene. Usually, I don’t get very rattled or upset while driving, even during dangerous situations like heavy traffic or rain, but I had never experienced something like that before. Nothing can ever prepare you for moments like that until they happen.
Anyways, I noticed other people started pulling over to help the people involved, but honestly, I just tried to get around everything so I could go home. There are people out there who are willing to help during traumatic incidents and, unfortunately, that’s just not me. As I drove away, I briefly thought about calling the cops, but figured it wouldn’t do any good since I drove away and didn’t have any identifying information. There were probably a couple of good-natured witnesses who stuck around to tell the horrid story of what happened.
For the remaining 15 minutes of my drive home, I talked to my husband to calm down. He was still working and hearing him finish up his tasks for the day helped snap me back into reality and remind me that I was okay. Immediately after everything happened, I was shaking so badly and there was no doubt that at least two of the cars had to have gotten totaled. I really hope the people involved made it out okay and that no one lost their lives due to carelessness.
I know we harp on how people can’t drive, but being that close to a wreck really makes you understand just how dangerous it is to be on the road with people who are distracted or just genuinely don’t care about other people. At the end of the day, every time you get behind the wheel of an automobile, you’re putting your life and other people’s lives at risk.
It’s important to be as focused as you can while driving. Put down Instagram until you safely arrive at your destination. Actually pay attention and drive with a sense of urgency so people don’t get impatient and accidentally tap you. Don’t sleep at red lights and cause unnecessary backups. Keep right unless to pass at all times and on all roads. It doesn’t matter if you’re going 100 miles per hour, if there is someone behind you, move over. And most importantly, pay attention to your surroundings at all times.
I really hate that the person who got rear ended was sitting still because I bet it was such a jarring, scary, and traumatizing experience. Everyone involved got their lives completely turned upside down in a split second. For me, I’m always checking my rear view mirror and keeping an eye on who is behind me because I’m super paranoid of getting hit like that with no warning. I really hope I can go my entire life without getting in an accident, but that day showed me that sometimes you literally can’t help getting hit with some shrapnel. Thankfully, I managed to be in the right place at the right time to be spared.
It’s almost like with each passing day, there are more and more wrecks and traffic just from people not paying attention. There are crashes at major intersections, busy merges, and on the interstate when traffic randomly slows down for no apparent reason. It’s unfortunate, expensive, and avoidable most of the time.
If you’re ever behind the wheel and feel yourself getting sleepy or zoning out, please do yourself and everyone else around you a favor and pull over. Replacing or repairing a car, recovering from injuries, or even facing legal battles is never worth it. I know everyone always mentions being grateful after any traumatizing event, but honestly, I get it. You can lose your life in an instant due to circumstances you didn’t see coming and couldn’t avoid.
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Signed,
Jessica Marie
