Triggering: I can't believe no one got killed.

[skydivers-in-reverse]

Two days ago I lost control of my car at 75mph on the turnpike, during rush hour.

About half a mile later, a concrete median managed to stop us and we ended up facing backwards in the far left lane.

There were three other people in the car, traffic was relatively busy, yet somehow we escaped with two mild concussions(one being my own), and sore muscles. We didn't hit any other cars, and everyone was wearing their seatbelt.

If that median wouldn't have stopped us, another car would have. We were out of control to the point where my car was spinning circles. When we caught the median, instead of hitting it dead-on, we caught it on an angle and slid along it for about 100 feet.

I'm still amazed at how lucky we were..People were extremely fast to pull over and try and help, and a random tow-truck that was passing blocked traffic in the lane we were stuck in for us. My car, though very ugly is amazingly still driveable, and the man in the towtruck kindly helped me maneuver it off to the shoulder. My bumper, the padding, and my entire grille went flying from the impact of hitting the median alone - and I'm greatful it didn't hit another driver as it came off.

This accident was caused by my own stupidity, as I turned my head to speak to someone, I turned the car as well unknowingly. When I looked back, I realized, and overcorrected out of panic - all it took was me jerking the steering wheel for my to fly completely out of control.

I'm still a bit dumbfounded by the situation..very, very happy that no one got seriously hurt, and happy to be alive. While I don't follow any sort of structured religion, I definitely believe that it was either not my time to go, or that someone was watching over me.

Oh, and always wear your seatbelts - people argue that there are some situations where they hinder someone's survival, but the number one cause of death in a car accident is being ejected from the car. If the force of impact to the rear of my car was enough to cause my bumper and grille to go flying, imagine what would've happened if no one was wearing a seatbelt.

[hopefaithlove]

I'm so glad that you were safe.

I am a car and carseat safety FREAK. Seat belts save lifes...that's all there is to it.

[taylalatbh.]

I'm so sorry this has happened to you! It just makes you think about how dangerous being in a car actually is, and how lifesaving seatbelts are! Things could have been a lot worse, and just be thankful you're okay and everyone else is okay too.

Maybe stick to slower speeds this time! Or talk a little less!

[fresco]

That's an incredible story. Wow. I hope everyone's ok. If it was me I probably would be in shock for days after.

[BanksyRat]

First may I say how relieved I am that you're safe. Absolutely incredible story, too. Moving.

Now, I can't stress too much the vital importance of wearing a seat belt. They save lives just as Hopefaithlove said. You just will not survive a crash without at least receiving serious injury.

I drive a 5 litre supercharged V8 Jaguar XKR and really, it hardly needs to be said just how lethal and also, how easy it is to get into an accident. I won't lecture you or anyone on the issue, but what I do recommend is anyone try and get onto learning advanced road craft. I belong to the Institute Of Advanced Motorists in the UK:

http://www.iam.org.uk/

And reason why I joined was, because learning to become an advanced driver will actually reduce one's chances of a road accident by as much as 75%. Also, one's car insurance can get reduced, so all's good.

Skydivers-in-reverse, I'm unsure if you're in the UK or the Americas, but do please check out an advanced driver's course and enrol. It could save your life.



http://www.jaguar.com/gb/en/#/xk/models/models/xkr

[MegaMadness]

I'm glad no one was killed. That's amazing!

[Kitty.]

I am so glad that no one was killed!

[Simplyme7]

Wow. I'm glad that everyone was alright, and that all of the people around you were so helpful with everything that went on.

God sure was watching out for you. =]

Take care, and I hope that your concussion goes away soon =]

[kadyCHAOS]

glad everyones okay...and pay attention to the road when your driving.

[BanksyRat]

It's so easy to go like a bat out of hell on a clear road. But you never quite know what's coming around the corner. Take good care of yourself, okay?

[Stardaze]

It's amazing that everyone is okay.
Yes, seat belts save lives.

[skydivers-in-reverse]

Originally Posted by hopefaithlove

I'm so glad that you were safe.

I am a car and carseat safety FREAK. Seat belts save lifes...that's all there is to it.

Originally Posted by taylalatbh.

I'm so sorry this has happened to you! It just makes you think about how dangerous being in a car actually is, and how lifesaving seatbelts are! Things could have been a lot worse, and just be thankful you're okay and everyone else is okay too.

Maybe stick to slower speeds this time! Or talk a little less!

Thanks guys =]. I'm pretty amazed that things turned out okay - I could write a novel about the thoughts that were going through my head right before the impact haha.

Originally Posted by fresco

That's an incredible story. Wow. I hope everyone's ok. If it was me I probably would be in shock for days after.

I was for the first couple of days - I think it was a mixture of the concussion and just utter shock. I pretty much locked myself in my room and was just completely drained.

Originally Posted by BanksyRat

First may I say how relieved I am that you're safe. Absolutely incredible story, too. Moving.

Now, I can't stress too much the vital importance of wearing a seat belt. They save lives just as Hopefaithlove said. You just will not survive a crash without at least receiving serious injury.

I drive a 5 litre supercharged V8 Jaguar XKR and really, it hardly needs to be said just how lethal and also, how easy it is to get into an accident. I won't lecture you or anyone on the issue, but what I do recommend is anyone try and get onto learning advanced road craft. I belong to the Institute Of Advanced Motorists in the UK:

http://www.iam.org.uk/

And reason why I joined was, because learning to become an advanced driver will actually reduce one's chances of a road accident by as much as 75%. Also, one's car insurance can get reduced, so all's good.

Skydivers-in-reverse, I'm unsure if you're in the UK or the Americas, but do please check out an advanced driver's course and enrol. It could save your life.



http://www.jaguar.com/gb/en/#/xk/models/models/xkr

I'm in the U.S., but there are driving courses here. I'm looking into one to get my insurance down a bit. I took a defensive driving class a couple of years ago when I first got my license, and I remember thinking back to it when the car went out of control. I was trying so hard not to step on the brakes, but the car was jerking so violently I was scared it would roll =[.

I'm wondering if I could have put it in neutral and try and atleast slow it down now..my car's automatic, but I always feel like I know my car better when it's manuel, you know?

And niiice car =]. Mine's just an old Subaru, not fancy - but I'm singing it's praises because it's driving like the wreck never happened.

Originally Posted by kadyCHAOS

glad everyones okay...and pay attention to the road when your driving.

I absolutely plan to, and yes, I'm incredibly thankful everyone is okay. I'm generally not someone who multi-tasks while driving, I don't use my phone, I don't eat..I do drink coffee lol, but I'm going to try and catch myself anytime I let my mind wander.

Originally Posted by skylight

It's amazing that everyone is okay.
Yes, seat belts save lives.

Agreed! I also know why subarus are rated so high on safety now

[skydivers-in-reverse]

Originally Posted by BanksyRat

It's so easy to go like a bat out of hell on a clear road. But you never quite know what's coming around the corner. Take good care of yourself, okay?

Traffic on this road moves pretty fast - but if I had been going a bit slower, I'm pretty sure that my car would not have flew out of control like that. I'm thinking I probably need some new tires, but the simple fact is that I was speeding and it's far easier to lose control at higher speeds.

Originally Posted by Simplyme7

Wow. I'm glad that everyone was alright, and that all of the people around you were so helpful with everything that went on.

God sure was watching out for you. =]

Take care, and I hope that your concussion goes away soon =]

Yes, my friends were amazingly composed too, I was a stammering inarticulate idiot when I was trying to explain what happened, and they were there the whole time trying to make me feel better. It was easily the scariest thing I've been through, it happens too fast for you to do anything and slow enough for you to get that awful feeling of impending dread. The feeling of helplessness and waiting to crash is really awful =[.

After years of horseback riding accidents, my mom maintains that my grandfather watches over me - - and I'm starting to believe her

[BanksyRat]

Originally Posted by skydivers-in-reverse

Traffic on this road moves pretty fast - but if I had been going a bit slower, I'm pretty sure that my car would not have flew out of control like that. I'm thinking I probably need some new tires, but the simple fact is that I was speeding and it's far easier to lose control at higher speeds.

Have you gotten run-flat tyres? Expensive but can save your life if there's a blowout.

Check a garage to check your tyres' balance. That might be a reason why your car flew off like it did. Only needs a rut in the road and you're flying.