Lost my chi

[firewater49]

So, I'm 17. I was in a car today with 3 friends (We were going on a date to the zoo...) and we got in a car wreck. Everybody is fine, I'm not the one at fault, and the other driver has insurance. Basically what happened is: He pulled a left turn while there was an SUV (4 lane Road, 2 lanes on each side) that was in the left lane, so he couldn't see me in the right lane (He was driving a GEO prizm) . By the time he was in front of me I was like ~30 ft. away from him. I t-boned the back of his car, the force of my car hitting his car pushed it into a 3rd car. I was going the speed limit (35 mph) so it wasn't really a high speed accident. Everyone is fine though. My car is still drivable.... but but doesn't good.

What I'm getting to is: I am super embarrassed, and I feel like I have lost my chi, my bravado if you will, my confidence, my self-assuredness. Not just in driving, I just feel weird. Is this common in post-accident time?

P.S. Even though I am a teenager, do you think my rates will go up? I mean, I'm not the one at fault...

[livyb]

oh no! Accidents are really scary. I would say its pretty common to loose your confidence! I didnt feel comfortable parking or driving at all when i got into a little scrape parallel parking!

The rates may go up... lucky for me with my parking incident only my car was damged so no big deal

It is ok! Just make sure you continue good and safe driving habits!

[Wingnut]

What I'm getting to is: I am super embarrassed, and I feel like I have lost my chi, my bravado if you will, my confidence, my self-assuredness. Not just in driving, I just feel weird. Is this common in post-accident time?

Totally normal. I think I'd be concerned if you weren't gun-shy. I actually had a friend who got in an accident (not his fault) at 15 with his learner's permit, and was so nervous that he didn't get his license until he was 21 or 22 because of it (though I think that is a little excessive).

[firewater49]

Thanks Guys :)

Well I must admit whenever I drive now I am always looking for someone to cut me off haha

[Bini]

I think it's normal to feel that way. I've been in two car accidents behind the wheel. First accident happened when I was 16, I rear-ended another car, my fault. The second accident happened almost 7 years later where a teenager in front of me reversed at a stop-light and smashed the front of my new car! Not my fault. But both shook me up good. I was on high alert for weeks after.

[rameumptom]

This is what is called Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). Happens to military in war zones all the time. They have shocking experience that internally changes them. It may not last long, perhaps just a few weeks. But it can also last years, if not treated properly. Learn to relax and laugh. Discuss how the accident made you feel. After you've expressed your feelings, then think of a wonderful event you have had that made you feel super happy. Not keeping yourself in the dumps because of the shock can teach you how to deal not only with this event, but future ones as well.

[Still_Small_Voice]

I think what Rameumptom said is true. I was in T-bone wreck in 1997 that really shook me up. I learned how mortal I was and I am still cautious when making left turns (because that is how the accident happened).

Pray for safety as you drive. Pray that the LORD will comfort you and that you will be able to learn from this experience and become a better person because of it.