Dealing with traumatic events

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by burning_acid1

I definitely wouldn't drive for the next little bit, especially near the crash site

This. If you must drive try and take a different route and avoid the site.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Get a life and a sense of humour. What, you've never heard the stories of people magically removing their neck braces after their claim settles? Just playing on that. You people are weird - people are fine with jokes about somebody fataing your mother, but Jebus forbid somebody jokes about a personal injury claim...

To be fair the way you phrased it made it appear as though you didn't think the problems the OP was talking about were serious or real. I took it as less of a joke and more of a low blow. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, but that's how it came off (obviously I'm not alone).

You can't say "you people" and expect that you're actually dealing with everybody. I'll laugh at every joke in the book, except if you joke about drinking and driving because that's my personal red button. Everybody has one and you can't make that comment without somebody who's had legitimate experience with PTSD calling you out.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

This. If you must drive try and take a different route and avoid the site.

I suppose everyone deals with it differently. I find it better to actually look it into the eye and eventually get over it. When I got in my first 'almost' severe accident, I was so scared to even drive. My Dad made me get back behind the wheel and drive. Probably the best thing for me.

[Pinner]

I responded to the original poster with reasonable advice, but lets remember this was an "almost" accident...

Suck it up people, if you fall apart over an "almost" traumatic event, where will you be when something real happens?

[wooohooo]

I find the 'almost' traumatic events almost worse than when it actually happens. It really makes you think and that's often the worse. When it happens, you deal. I don't think telling people to 'suck it up' is a very appropriate answer. Especially when people are in such a fragile state of mind.

[macker]

Go take a cpr course or do something constructive. After I saw 2 people die right in front of me that is what I did as I don't ever want to be standing there somewhat helpless again. Nothing can fully prepare you for these types of things but at least it is a start. I have a cpr mask on my key chain now and that is the legacy my experience. It makes you appreciate life more!

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Russic

To be fair the way you phrased it made it appear as though you didn't think the problems the OP was talking about were serious or real. I took it as less of a joke and more of a low blow. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, but that's how it came off (obviously I'm not alone).

You can't say "you people" and expect that you're actually dealing with everybody. I'll laugh at every joke in the book, except if you joke about drinking and driving because that's my personal red button. Everybody has one and you can't make that comment without somebody who's had legitimate experience with PTSD calling you out.

Fair enough and I apologize if it was misconstrued. I took it very seriously, which is why I advised him he was entitled to compensation...

[shane_c]

Thanks for all the replies.

Almost being in a serious accident for the 2nd time in less than a year, on the same road, really makes you think about life and how petty my problems are compared to the 2 people who were injured. You also start to think about the what ifs..... what if I had driven just a little bit faster on the way home or what if I didn't politely yield at the yield sign up the road which resulted in me being behind this car. If I didn't it would have been me that t-boned her.

I'm sure the man will be fine since they fixed his legs but I imagine he'll walk in pain the rest of his life. I'm worried about the old woman though and having to see the terrified look on her face the moment before impact hasn't been easy to shake from my head. To witness this, bracing for impact myself and coming to a screeching halt a foot or so behind his car, being in shock from what I just saw and then since we were first on scene having to jump out to check on people and see her head hanging out the drivers side window completely motionless with blood literally pouring out the side of her head as if you were pouring out a glass of water was a scene I would have rather not saw. And then to be there while EMS took him out of the car and Fire had to use the jaws of life to try to get her out wasn't pleasant either. Thankfully there was an off duty cop driving by at the time and rescue services were nearby and there within minutes. I hope she pulls through this okay but from what I was told a few days later when we gave our statements they weren't sure what was going to happen to her.

The road we have to commute on everyday is known to be dangerous but the city doesn't seem to want to do anything about it. I hope we're as lucky the third time.