This Serious Car Accident Was A Second Life – And A Lesson For Me

I never thought it would happen to us. I sincerely wish that it happen to no one else. Here is what I learnt from surviving a serious car accident on the highway. 

Unfortunately it happened, happened to us. We were returning from a wedding in a car. Our 7 months old daughter was in my husband’s lap and I was sitting next to him in the back seat. A close relative was in the driver’s seat with his wife next to him. As the wedding ended, we were travelling back with two other cars early in the morning when our car met with the accident.

I was thrown out of the car due to the jolt and ended with a collar bone fracture. Luckily, our daughter had a miraculous escape and my better half ended with a minor nose injury. Lying in the national highway, when I saw our car I thought everything had ended.

Fighting the pain, I slowly limped towards the car. On hearing my husband’s voice, I learned he was safe. He slowly handed over our daughter to me. With trembling hands, I took her in my lap and checked her heartbeat and pulse. Thank God, she was safe and still asleep. The other two persons in the front seats luckily escaped unhurt.

We had the toughest time managing all alone with my one hand, and the phase finally ended leaving a scar.

Behind every bad day, there’s a lesson. Here I am sharing my lessons so that no one repeats the mistakes that we did. Miracles do happen but we should always be careful and cautious.

• Seatbelt – Backseat passengers should also wear seat belts. We didn’t and paid the price with fractures.
• No – Learn to say NO. We wanted to hire a car and travel, as long distance driving post a wedding with an hour sleep is risky. We couldn’t say NO to elders inspite of our wish.
• Call – Make calls only to the ones who can help you at that moment. For us, I called my paediatrician and childhood friend Rahul to attend to my child (P), my doctor cousins (who also owned a hospital and luckily were only a few miles away from the spot), my best friend Roselina (who too was just miles away – to handle police affairs and for moral support).
• Speed – Most importantly, the car should be driven at a decent speed. Our car was at high speed and we paid the price.
• Panic – We must try our best not to panic, though its tough.
• Checkup – Thorough checkup is needed after an accident. Even if you think it’s minor, please don’t ignore it.
• Breastfeed – If you are travelling with a baby, breastfeed the baby for comfort and also to check if all is fine (first aid). It didn’t matter to me, I breastfed P in the crowd, sitting on the road – priority first.
• Plan – Proper planning of the travel without third party interference. None knows the baby better than the parents.

If my experience will be helpful to anyone, I am grateful. This awareness about travel safety indeed changes one’s life for better.

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