Car Accident?

A few days ago, I got my license and I was driving to get something to eat on a very congested road. I don't really remember what I was doing, whether I was distracted or my reflexes weren't quick enough, but next thing I knew, I rear-ended a car. Nobody was hurt, but I vividly remember the moment when I realized my brakes weren't strong enough to stop me completely. Thankfully, the woman didn't call the police or insurance and I just paid her $60 cash for a very minor injury. But now every time I drive, even if I stop 100 feet back, I feel that same feeling. Like I'm completely helpless and that my brakes aren't going to stop me. Is this just a natural reaction? I know it happened a short time ago, but honestly, I'm so afraid to drive now because I feel like I'm going to wreck every time I do.. Is this natural or is it just PTSD from the accident? Thank you for your replies!

it is totally natural......you just got your license......with more experience and learning to trust your car..as it continues to stop when you put on the brake...and it will stop every time IF you give it enough distance to stop.....the feeling will subside. it may help you to go to a parking lot and practice braking over and over so you can learn to judge distances, get that feeling taken care of, learn the pressure of your brake, go fast and press as hard as you can for quick emergency stops and such. it is a scary thing driving a big hunk of metal and not being able to stop in time. you need to learn to master it.

I have done this so many times (I am Britain's worst driver) when I started to drive - now I leave a big gap at least two cars length and practice anticipation. Practice being the operative word.

I also, a few times a year, find a country road, flat on both sides and dry, and practice full emergency stop from 30 mph to standstill so I have a really good feel for my brakes (now cars have ABS you don't get into skids much).

oh i'm so sorry to hear about this, at least no one was hurt. i've been in several accidents as a passenger and pedestrian, and sometimes i can't evn cross the street on foot, believing someone is going to come near me. i also suffer as a passenger believing i'll be hit again because i can feel it in my reflexes too. i hope you get over this, it takes time.

Yeah I completely agree that it is going to take time. My cousin works with a DUI lawyer and often tells me about similar cases where people who have been hit once by a car or something similar take couple of years to get over it and start walking or driving peacefully.

I crashed my car 3 days after I got my license. I came around a curve and drove straight into a car. The lady was severely injured and her son sustained minor injuries. I lost it. When I went to court, I got my license taken for 30 days. I didn't even go get it back. 3 months later they sent it in the mail. When I got it, I still didn't drive for almost 6 months. Then it was my mom forcing me to get back behind the wheel. I'm still terrified of driving left of center and tend to ride the right side.

it's a scary feeling, one that's tough to get rid of. I was just in a bad car crash four months ago. some distracted idiot rear-ended me going 60mph when I was stopped (claims he never saw me)! I had/have lots of injuries, head to toe. I was driving again a few days later, but the fear is still there. For me, there is no logic to this car crash accident that I can rap my head around - the weather was fine and roads were dry - just can't figure out why it happened. So even now, the fear I feel when a car is behind me is almost overwhelming at times, like my heart stops! I almost freak out, hoping and praying that they see me. I've even pulled off into a right-hand turn lane, just so the vehicle could go around me instead of following me. I have no idea if I will ever get over this fear... (and I've been driving for almost seventeen years now)

You were lucky no damage was done and the other person did not make a big deal out of it. I can relate to your realizing that you were not going to stop soon enough when it happened. I had that happen myself many years ago and from then on I never got close to the car in front of me when driving. You should still drive but now you will pay attention and slowly develop into a more careful driver subconsciously.

now that some months have passed, how are you doing? how are things going???