By Katie Brda
Staff Writer
My heart was beating so fast and I couldn’t believe that I had just gotten in a car accident. I looked around; my car was totaled but I was alive.”
Student drivers who have been involved in an accident can offer some advice. They know who to call and how to handle a sticky situation with the other upset driver in the crash.
Junior Kelly Murray, who was the driver at fault in an accident a few months after getting her license, is still feeling the consequences of her driving. “It’s a really scary experience, and after you have to go through everything you’ll never speed again,” said Murray. She advised to pay attention to the speed limits and leave plenty of space between you and the car in front of you.
Junior Colleen Sheehy who was rear ended by another speeding teen, spoke of how to handle the aftermath of an accident. “Whatever you do, don’t leave the scene of the accident, don’t go any farther than to move out of the way of traffic because if you do it can really complicate things with the police,” said Sheehy.
Now the driving anxiety that is plaguing many teen drivers is seeping through to underclassmen who are preparing to get their licenses. “I am kind of nervous to go on the road because I’ve heard a lot of stories, and new drivers don’t have that much experience,” said sophomore Nirali Chauhan. The collective thoughts of teens involved in accidents and federal websites have compiled a list to follow when you find yourself in a smoking car seconds after a accident.
First, check and make sure that you and everyone else in your car is safe, if no one is seriously injured try starting your car and moving it out of the stream of traffic only as far as the side of the road. Then, go over and check the
person in the other car to ensure no one is harmed. If you can discuss with the person what happened to make sure that you both have the same view of the accident.
Next, quickly call your parents and the police. When the police come remain calm as you recount what happened in the accident and give them your proof of insurance and drivers license. Finally, exchange information with the other driver. You will need to collect there name and contact information, also write down a physical description of there car and the damages. Also it’s important to document the accident with pictures if you have to go to court, even if they are from your phone camera.
To prepare for an accident, it’s good to know what insurance covers and to pay a little extra every month if a company doesn’t offer as much coverage for accidents. Remember when to give your version of the story to your insurance company if you decide to go through insurance to cover damages because the other driver may change their lawyer and leave you with a hefty lawsuit.
There is no way to anticipate an accident, the only advice from your fellow teen drivers is to stay safe.
Senior Lauren Matthews said, “I was hit by a deer on the highway and my car was totaled. There’s nothing I could have done to avoid it but there are still a ton of consequences, do whatever you can to stay out of the way.”
