Having an auto accident is a traumatic situation. Not only are you dealing with the shock of it, but you’re also consumed with how to handle the aftermath – dealing with insurance companies, replacing your vehicle if it is totaled, dealing with injuries. The horror does not even end there, you get to deal with the questions of police and the insurance company which is more dreadful during those times. Although this can be avoided with the help of baltimore auto accident lawyer who is responsible for completely handling your case and will represent you in court and will also help you in dealing with the insurance company.
I’m the first to say that in my recent auto accident, I’m nothing if not grateful. My three-year-old daughter came out completely unharmed. The accident was not minor, however; my vehicle was totaled, and I am left with some injuries, the worst being damage done to my left knee. But things could have been a lot worse, given that I was traveling above 60 miles per hour on a major highway when a van pulled out in front of me.
That being said, having an auto accident leaves its mark on you in other ways. You must deal with the fear of getting behind the wheel again. It is difficult not to overreact when you begin to anticipate situations to occur; for instance, I’m constantly worried now about someone pulling out in front of me. I feel a bit anxious when I approach cross streets, especially on highways or major streets.
Another residual effect has been my heightened awareness of how careless drivers are. I believe that since driving is such a major part of the life of Americans because we seem to spend such a large amount of our time in the activity, we become less aware of the danger involved. Also, if a person has not been in an accident, too often he or she has the illusion that they will not be in an accident, or that they are somehow invincible.
And just to think, I was a highly cautious driver even before I was involved in my accident!
Here are some things I’ve noticed about drivers more so after my accident:
- The majority of drivers’ speed. If you don’t believe this statement, I challenge you to get on a highway, do the speed limit or less, and see how many drivers pass you. It is as if they feel as though this is not a law, merely a suggestion; and one they don’t agree with.
- Drivers are aggressive and discourteous. Road rage is a real problem. But below that level of aggression, far too many people on the road see other cars as an annoyance. For some reason, while driving, too many people are overcome with an illusion of self-importance; meaning, what they are doing and where they are going is more important than that of those around them, and those people should just get out of the way. How often do you find yourself in the situation, for example, of merging onto a highway and needing to get over a lane or two quickly, but the car next to you (though aware of your need) refuses to let you over as if it is a major inconvenience, an issue of dominance, or a way to seemingly ‘teach you a lesson?’
- Vehicles travel too close together. It never seems to shock me to see a car so close in my rearview mirror that I cannot even see its bumper. This is a tremendous risk, yet so many drivers behave in this ridiculous and uncivilized manner. What use it is, anyway, to crowd upon the car in front of you? I suppose the driver guilty of this is trying to use force in order to make the other driver go faster. Do you do this? Why not stop and think about what you are doing? After all, the other driver has the right to choose his or her own speed, as long as it is above the minimum speed limit. Also, if that person had to brake, suddenly, not only would you do them terrible damage, (possibly causing serious or fatal injuries) you’d do plenty of damage to yourself. Really, who do you think you are, anyway?
- Driving an extra-large vehicle gives drivers a false sense of security. In inclement weather, while I’m plugging along just trying to get through it alive, it never fails that there will be a ginormous truck or SUV that whizzes past me (if not up to my bumper) acting is if it were a dry, bright, summer’s day. Of course, it also never fails that in such inclement weather, I always see plenty of said trucks and SUVs in the ditch, and all too often not upright. The drivers of these vehicles also believe that they are safe to drive 100 miles per hour on the highway during an average day, that they can never lose control. Believe me, a tank can still slide and roll.
The most serious problem of all is the average American driver’s bad attitude, self-inflicted aggression (would you rather be late, or dead?) and an over-inflated sense of one’s rights over another’s. Just get a grip people, and note that every time you get behind the wheel, you’re in danger. It is bad enough that it is at the hand of other people, but don’t make it worse for yourself and everyone else.
