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So about 6 months ago, I was involved in a car accident. It was very scary and it totalled my car, and I have been taking public transit/Ubers ever since.
I was very lucky that I wasn't injured too bad, but it took a few months to heal.
Everytime I'm in the car (as a passenger) I feel like I'm going to be in another accident and I feel so anxious.
So finally after 6 months of not driving , I bought another car. I drove it quick for the test drive but will not be picking it up for 2 days. And I feel so scared to drive it home and to work and everywhere!
People have told me this is normal after something like that happening and it would be odd if I wasn't a little anxious about driving again. I've been told eventually you just get over it and I'll feel comfortable driving again.
I'm just wondering if any of you gyns have tips to help me calm down or if any of you have felt this way.
I'm tired of the bus and I'm looking forward to having a car again but I can't shake that fear!
EDIT: A little update, I did drive my new car home. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Still felt anxious about it, but it kinda went away after a few mins. I think eventually I'll feel calm the entire time.
Thanks for the advice!
I’ve felt this way after a car accident. Perfectly normal response, it happens!
I found the best thing to do is to face the fear, and get in the car and drive as much as you can, to normalise it. And do whatever works to let the fear/anxious feelings flow out!
I went about life as normal going where I needed to in my car, whilst literally shaking/panicking with fear when driving, and it passed eventually. I’d talk to myself when driving, cry ALOT, ring my parents when I got to work/the place i was going. Didn’t drive with other people, as I couldn’t handle them in the car + the anxiety. A few weeks and all the fear passed.
Good luck!
Do you have a person who is really calm and a good passenger who could come with you to pick the car up?
When I started driving again after an accident (which wasn't my fault... that somehow made it worse becaue it made me a little paranoid about other drivers) it actually helped to have someone in the car I can talk to and pretend everything is normal. It also helped to know that there was someone there who could switch with me and drive if I get overwhelmed.
I had a major car accident back in Sept of last year. I got T-Boned by a pickup truck and my car was totaled. I lost consciousness for a bit and suffered an acute concussion and nerve issues in my right arm and neck.
I had PTSD and depression as I was off work for two months and couldn’t function. I did a lot of therapy sessions with my therapists and she gave me breathing techniques whenever the anxiety kicks in and I faced my fear. I used to get so anxious if someone is driving me and I would drive so slow but now thankfully I’m back to normal. I never stopped driving the minute I was able to. This is my third accident (not my fault).
Girl, are you me? I literally have post traumatic stress from accidents AND experiencing vertigo while driving. Over this summer I've developed a driving phobia. I'm with you in solidarity; this phobia is extremely limiting. I have no advice, as I'm currently in the middle of it myself.
I was in an accident when my ex was driving, which sent me to the hospital by ambulance. His confidence was shattered (trigger warning: heavy - he said when he first looked over at me after impact he thought I was dead but I had a moment of stillness absorbing the pain of being hit by the airbag). I was already a wary passenger, but now I'm a nervous shotgun at best if the driver is anything less than a defensive, coolheaded individual. However, at least this didn't shake my faith in my own driving, and once I was healed, I was driving no problem. For reference, though, I used to drive in demolition derbies, so the crash itself didn't rattle me as much as it could have but it's definitely not a highlight of my life.
Tips and advice I learned from that experience:
- maintain your car mechanically, and know the general repair/safety status of any vehicles you get in. My ex is lucky his airbags even went off because I found a recall for them at his place, and he hadn't taken his car in yet to have them fixed. This was our first fight. No doubt the airbag saved my life, but he still hadn't taken it in at the time of the accident.
- maintain good general awareness when driving. Beware other drivers' mistakes and prepare to take defensive action quickly. The more confident you are in your ability to prevent crashes, the safer you'll feel behind the wheel. Maybe take a defensive driving course
- make sure you're prepared for your next accident - I know it sucks to think about, but it's probable you'll get into at least a fender bender or something at some point before you stop driving. do you know how your insurance claim process works? I have an accident report form folded up in my wallet from them that prompts me for any info I'd need to write down in case I forget in the moment. if you feel unsafe, you can always stay put, lock your car, and call the police to the scene if the other driver is being unreasonable/dangerous
- keep driving frequently and don't push yourself further than you are comfortable. No matter the day or situation, always only drive to your current capability level (unless you shouldn't be driving , for example, you're in active distress)
- don't ride with people you aren't comfortable with, driving or other passengers
My heart truly goes out to you for what you're going through and I really hope you find your confidence again through all of this. Don't force yourself to drive if you just can't but if you feel up to it take it easy and safe travels :)
i play loud dreampop music that I love and sing in the car with the windows down for that breeze. Anything to help regulate my emotions and anxiety when I drive 😭
Mass transit is an option. You could do that for a while. Maybe act like you're learning how to drive again and practice in a parking lot and on smaller roads until you feel normal?
EFT for Car Wrecks:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wplddzIxfSw&pp=ygUYRWZ0IGNhciB3cmVjayBicmFkIHlhdGVz
My mother has the same thing as you after she saw the aftermath and wreckage of our family vehicle with my father.
It’s been 10 years and I drive my whole family for groceries. If you don’t want to drive, that’s totally fine. If you live in an urban setting, public transit is probably better.