Behind the Wheel: What I Learned from a Run-in
By: Cheyenne Smith
It was an average Sunday in July. I woke up, made my coffee, headed to the local farmer’s market to check out some vendors, and soak in the late summer sunshine. I put my seatbelt on, foot on the brake, key in the ignition, shifted into drive, and hit the road. It seemed like any other day. But little did I know what would happen on the road a few minutes later would change my outlook on driving forever.
I was searching for street parking on a narrow two-lane road. I came upon a city bus driver, and they smiled at me. Then I noticed the bus quickly pull out in front of me. I saw it get closer and closer, and before I knew it, boom. They ran straight into my car. I jolted as I braced for impact, and the sound of shredding steel pierced my ears—the shock setting in. The bus kept driving. Their quick dart from the scene was concerning, but they were finding a spot for bus passengers to exit safely. Once I realized what had happened, I opened my door, checked the damage, and immediately called 911.
While waiting for the police to show up, a woman walking her dog stopped to ensure I was okay. I felt anxious as the shock settled, but her presence gave me a moment to process what had happened. Thankfully, I hadn’t suffered any serious injuries, and her concern was comforting. The bus driver quickly came over to double-check for injuries. In retrospect, I didn’t feel anger towards the driver but an overwhelming sense of gratefulness that everyone was okay. The cops showed up within minutes. We exchanged contact and insurance information, and I was on my way.
And just like that, I got into my first car accident. So many thoughts and questions flooded my mind—how do I deal with the bus’s insurance? How long will it take to get my car back? How will I feel driving on the road again? The accident made me think deeply about how I’d move forward. I learned five critical lessons since my run-in with a city bus.
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1) Don’t Rush Moving Past the Incident
Many of us spend a lot of time in the car, and getting into an accident is the last thing we expect. No matter how minor the crash, unexpected events have lasting effects. A small part of me was hoping I would forget about it and continue living like it never happened, but that wasn’t the case. Being patient with myself to feel like me on the road again has been the ultimate labor of self-love.
2) Take Care of Yourself and Your Health
Often, the effects of an accident occur far after the collision. Taking care of yourself and your mental or physical health allows for more happiness after a stressful event. Even though I didn’t suffer physical injury from the accident, I still had anxiety whenever I got behind the wheel. Giving myself time and caring for my mental health has been vital in finding normalcy in driving again.
3) Stay Diligent in the Aftermath
Dealing with car repairs and insurance can be frustrating. For me, it was the last thing I wanted to do. But the longer the procrastination, the longer it takes to solve. It’s important to file your insurance claim as soon as possible. Then you can put the accident behind you and safely get back on the road.
4) Eyes On the Road
My awareness of others on the road and sense of safety is higher now. The importance of limiting distractions while driving has given me a greater feeling of control behind the wheel. Keeping eyes on the road—no phones and no distractions is the most effective crash prevention we can do as drivers.
5) Staying Grateful
Looking back at the accident, it could have gone differently. Even though it resulted in car damage, I’m grateful I wasn’t seriously injured. The accident made me realize how much I have to be thankful for.
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