Got into my first car accident ever :(

I  was trying to turn and got hit from behind from another car and slid a little but it was a low speed impact neither me nor the driver that hit me were hurt and there wasn't any major damage to our cars I only have a couple of scratches and my door has a small dent. Although it wasnt bad I feel like crap. I dont even want to drive anymore and feel angy, scared, and stupid all at the same time. My bf says I should count my blessings it could have been a lot worse but it still doesn't help the way I feel. Im not angry at the other driver I just feel shocked. Is there anything I can do to get over this feeling?

So sorry to hear this happened to you. When was it?

The same happened to me the day after I moved into the apartment I'm in now. I'd been at my old apartment, doing the final cleaning and walk-through, then drove back here. My car was packed with the last few boxes and all of my cleaning supplies. I made it to the entrance of the parking lot and had to stop for on-coming traffic. The car behind me wasn't paying attention and drove into my rear.

The broom I had in the back on top of some boxes flew forward, and as I whipped back, it collided with the back of my head. So while the impact wasn't that bad (low speed and all), getting hit with the broom knocked me a little silly. I couldn't think of the word "broom" when she came to my window to see if I was okay. I tried to tell her what happened but could only get out, "the, uh, that.... the yellow handled thing hit my head." 

Anyway, we pulled into the parking lot and I noticed I felt weird. Lightheaded and tingly. I wasn't sure what was wrong until my hands started to curl into themselves. That's when I realized I was having a panic attack. I was okay after about a half hour, but my head hurt for a few days. That happened August 2nd and I'm still paranoid about people following me too close (which is super common here). Whenever I have to slow or stop quickly, I'm sure the person behind me is going to rear-end me. 

Unfortunately it's going to take some time to get over it.  I was in an accident in June, a car made an illegal left turn in front of me in the turn lane.  It took me a while before I was comfortable in turn lanes again, always super vigilant about looking the other way and looking for people.

Oh - so sorry about this.  First anythings, especially accidents, can leave us so confused and upset.  My first accident was in a tiny, little Fiat.  An UPS truck backed into me.  I was fine until the driver got out and said he thought he'd hit a trashcan!  I was so mad, I think I cursed at him.  I loved that little car.

I wasn't hurt and the only damage to the car, believe it or not, was a dented fender.  But I stewed about that remark for weeks.

Take your time, take it easy and you'll feel better soon.  Glad you weren't hurt ...

Sorry to hear about the accident.  You'll get over that feeling eventually.  Years ago I was rear ended, no major damage or anything but I got a stiff neck out of it.  For quite a while I was real jumpy and always looking in my rear view mirror, but I got over it.  I've been in a few accidents since then, none serious, and none of them have affected me like that first one.

Your reaction is completely normal, although I'm sure you know that and want to feel like you did before the accident. It may help to address what is specifically bothering you. Yes, being an accident is scary. Is it that you fear being in another accident? Are you afraid of an accident with more severe consequences? I think if you work out the more direct fears/angers such as those types of questions, you'll be able to chip away at that cloud looming over you.

I'm glad you're OK by the way.

peaches08 said:

Your reaction is completely normal, although I'm sure you know that and want to feel like you did before the accident. It may help to address what is specifically bothering you. Yes, being an accident is scary. Is it that you fear being in another accident? Are you afraid of an accident with more severe consequences? I think if you work out the more direct fears/angers such as those types of questions, you'll be able to chip away at that cloud looming over you.

I'm glad you're OK by the way.

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I think I'm more angry at myself than anyone else. I  know I am an attentive driver so when it happened I felt like it was something that I could have saw coming in first place. Also since I never been in an accident before I have no clue how the process goes. A cop has responded and made a police report I have to make a court appearance and I have to contact my insurance company. I'm a poor student and it also worries me what will happen when it comes to insurance premiums.

GoldEye said:

 
 I just feel shocked. Is there anything I can do to get over this feeling?

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Yes.  Get back behind the wheel now!  The longer you wait the more fearful you become and you might end up being too afraid to drive.  So grab those keys and go to the corner store for a soda pop or something.

Glad you are ok. It does take time to get over. We were in an accident in August 2012. My husband was driving and rear ended someone who was stopped about to turn in to a parking lot. I was 28 weeks pregnant and when I went to the hospital they discovered I had pre-eclampsia (a sickness caused by pregnancy). I was told I was going to have a premature baby and was sent to a bigger hospital that could take care of my daughter when she was born (which was 10 days later). I still get jumpy and nervous in the car sometimes when my husband has to stop quickly and it's been 16 months. 

GoldEye said:

I think I'm more angry at myself than anyone else. I  know I am an attentive driver so when it happened I felt like it was something that I could have saw coming in first place. Also since I never been in an accident before I have no clue how the process goes. A cop has responded and made a police report I have to make a court appearance and I have to contact my insurance company. I'm a poor student and it also worries me what will happen when it comes to insurance premiums.

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Were you at fault? Or was the other person found to be at fault?

peaches08 said:

Were you at fault? Or was the other person found to be at fault?

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It hasnt been determined yet. We both collided on a dark street and its basically her word vs mine.

GoldEye said:

 
It hasnt been determined yet. We both collided on a dark street and its basically her word vs mine.

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Were you in reverse? If you got hit in the rear, she should be found at fault, unless your car was in reverse, then it could go either way.

How inconvenient that you have to make a court appearance. I was in an accident a year ago today where a guy ran a stop sign from a Walmart parking lot. It was just before 6am, so I guess he figured no one would be on the road. Very minor. I slammed on my brakes and nearly stopped in time, but I bumped him and there was some scratches and chipped paint on my bumper and his fender. Cop said "I don't determine fault. I write the report and the report determines fault." As if that makes any damn sense. He ran a stop sign; should have been cut and dry. But I never heard back about it and there was no court date or anything like that. He didn't even get ticketed. So stupid. 

Sorry to hear about it. Accidents can be traumatic. I remember my first (and thankfully, only) accident. I had just gotten my license a few days earlier, and was driving along a very pedestrian-heavy street near my college. While inching along the road, I was sort of staring at a pair of rather attractive girls by the curb. Rear-ended the van in front of me. :anon:

The van driver was incredulous, since we were all crawling. But while he was unhappy, he accepted compensation after I apologized profusely and we went on our ways.

Natalie_ca said:

 
Yes.  Get back behind the wheel now!  The longer you wait the more fearful you become and you might end up being too afraid to drive.  So grab those keys and go to the corner store for a soda pop or something.

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I was going to say that! GMTA

I'm sorry about the accident. If you've not contacted your insurance company yet, you need to do so ASAP to get an estimator in to look at the damage. I hope it will work out for you OK.

Cory, my husband did that. About six weeks after he got his first brand new car (a new Mustang fastback). He was coming home from work and an attractive college student was walking up the street in town. He was looking at her and smacked into the rear end of the car in front of him. I was not amused as I was six months pregnant and feeling like the fattest girl on the planet anyway. And then he comes home from work and tells me he was in an accident. And why. 

@LaraLove no i wasnt going in reverse the idea of court makes me nervous as well i've never been to traffic court before and  i have a clean driving record so if its found to be my fault i worry what is going to happen.

Thanks everyone else. The accident happened sat night. I already contacted my insurance company and I have to wait til next monday for an adjuster i guess because of christmas. i still havent told anyone in my family about it yet. When I returned home guess who was happy to see me? Idk if my cat could tell when I'm feeling bad but she was being extra sweet. i have to wait til feb for my actual hearing.

Considering you were hit in the rear and not while in reverse, I wouldn't stress too much. It's sort of impossible to hit someone with the back of your car while you're moving forward or not moving. Has to be their fault.

I hit a tree once sliding out after driving a few weeks and few months later was going to make a left and had plenty of time except car started spinning in snow/ice.  Rear wheel drive that had issue with back tires on top of that.  He was ready to call 911 as thought for sure I needed it.  I was fine car got trunk damage and busted a bulb/cover.  2 accidents in first 3 months of driving was no fun.

Best I can say is go right back into it and think it could have been worse and your lucky.  I got rid of that horrible car and been accident free for 5 1/2 years.   

I totaled my vehicle one time. I was coming home from work and was fiddling around with the stereo. Missed the turn to come into my village and tried to take the turn too fast. The car went out of control. I hit a tree stump and the car started to roll end over end. Hit another tree stump and, of course that was enough to keep the car flipping. I was into the third flip when I hit the corner of a house. The car came to rest on the drivers' side with just enough room for me to crawl out of the driver's window. Glass everywhere. I was sitting in the car, looking up at the stars out of the passenger window. And I was thinking, "Hmmm, I'm in a heckuva mess. Now what do I do?" Very calm, very cool. 

Then I started to smell the gas. And thought, "Crap, I've got to get out of here!" Crawled out the driver's window, stood up, and brushed myself off.  Went around the house and knocked on the door. The guy opened the door and I said, "Ummm, I hit your house!" He started laughing and said they kind of figured that. Took me inside and cleaned my face....there was blood everywhere from the window glass shattering. Called the police and when they came, he was a friend of mine. He asked me what happened and I said that I fell asleep. "No, no, no, Pam," he said. He didn't want to hear that. Never admit that you fell asleep. They got me for reckless driving; it was better than falling asleep...I'm not sure why. 

Rick took me to the hospital and I had a concussion, but other than that and the cuts on my face, I was fine. I had two black eyes from being slammed into the window and the steering wheel (oh, and I was NOT wearing a seat belt). We had to go to my car so i could get the stuff out of it. When I actually saw my car.....THAT'S when I completely broke down. Bawled like a baby. Had anybody been with me in the passenger side, that person would have died right on the spot. There was no way he would have walked away from that. No way.

I didn't drive for two weeks. We were out looking at new cars because mine was totaled. I refused to drive anything. I probably would have been happy not to ever drive again. But Rick forced me to drive. Shaking like a leaf the whole time, but I managed.

I always told him that I had fallen asleep. It was just a few years ago that I finally admitted to Rick that I was messing around with the stereo, missed the turn and tried to make it. Going too fast. It was completely stupid on my part. I'm really lucky to be alive; the police never understood how I managed to stay in the car and why I was never thrown out. 

I was so nervous when explaining my side of the story that I think I made myself look bad. I don't even remember what I told the responding officer.