I got into a car accident on Saturday. Most people would call it minor, nonetheless it made me reflect and learn about many things. I was a passenger when my car was hit by a young 18 year old after I was leaving my friend’s wedding. When my car was stopped at a red light before turning right, the young lady hit my car. Myself and the driver were both wearing seat belts. He usually doesn’t wear his, but I always ask him to put it on since my mom always makes me wear mine. The back end of my car had less damage than the car of the young lady who hit us. Mine has a crease and a few scuff marks; her car has a big dent in the front. When she got out of her car she apologized. I said it was okay and that she needed to call her insurance. I then tried to call the police but kept calling the city office building.

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. My head was hurting and I realized that I had been in my first car accident. I started to panic and cry hysterically. This couldn’t happen to me. But the reality is that it can happen to anyone. After the driver of my car called the police for me I realized I should call a family member of mine to get advice since she has worked with an insurance agency and she had been in accidents before. She told me to let the other girl call her insurance. Everyone kept asking me if I was okay. Physically I was hurting a little but emotionally I was really not okay. It was my first accident. I kept crying and they asked me if I wanted an ambulance. I said no. I just wanted the driver to take me in my car to the hospital. My car was still drive-able so he drove me to the emergency room.

My head hurt and my neck hurt. They told me I had whiplash and gave me pain medication. They told me to expect it to get worse. It did. After an hour drive home, I finally could rest. That is what I did over the next two days my neck was hurting terribly. The medicine didn’t seem to help with Tylenol. I couldn’t move my neck at all or support it when I sat up. Luckily they didn’t give me a brace though. I slept 17 hours on Sunday and 10 on Monday. The pain was so bad I couldn’t go to class or go to work because of my neck. I didn’t want to leave my bed for over an hour at a time.

Tuesday I decided to go to the emergency room again. This time they took blood and a CT scan to make sure I didn’t have any broken bones. After I spent a couple hours there for tests they gave me stronger pain medication. They told me it could be a month until I feel normal again or I may need physical therapy. Since Tuesday I have been staying at home with my ultra-cuddly dog, Roxy and taking strong painkillers that don’t take all of the pain away. My neck keeps cracking and hurts nonstop. Dealing with her insurance agency sucks. I didn’t realize how confusing and tedious the process really is.

But there is a bright side to this accident. I am okay. I survived. My car survived. The other driver is okay. The driver of my car is okay. After days of reflection since the accident I have come to the conclusion that I am blessed to have a minor accident as my first rather than a tragic one that would take a lot more healing. To the girl who hit my car: pay attention behind the wheel instead of checking your makeup. Regardless, I forgive you. I return to work tomorrow in a less than perfect condition and I think that everyone involved in the accident has learned a lesson. My lesson was to do the best you can in any situation and don’t take life or your health for granted. I know several people who have died in car accidents. Luckily mine wasn’t one of them. Some life lessons like this can't be avoided.