Questions for those who've been in a car accident?

[Aerissa_Jade]

They rammed into the back of us at an estimated speed of 50mph, it doesn't even look like they hit the brakes. Their vehicle was totaled, debris everywhere, liquid running all over the road. Half their engine looked to be in pieces all over the place.

I saw them coming in the rearview mirror about 2-3 seconds before the collision so I tensed up.

My Boyfriend was playing with his phone in the passenger seat and didn't tense up, he only has some minor back pains. His phone though became a projectile and went from the front to the back and shattered all over the back.

I am really glad that did not hit either of us.

My seat flew back into an almost reclining position and won't sit up anymore, his is half that bad, still kind of sits up. Not sure if that is a design to take some of the brunt, rather than being stiff when hit from behind.

I am extremely sore, is this normal? My back and neck and right shoulder and arm and so many other things feel like I fell off a horse again and got kicked by it again.

I was checked out and given the accident case report, for a non reportable accident to use in case of future medical needs.

My vehicle is not drivable, as the rear right tire is meshed into the frame. I think it performed rather well, considering the condition of the vehicle that hit us was in.

It is a 2015 Ford Explorer Sport, fully loaded with the sync system, built in navigation system and every feature you can think of, from remote start to heated steering wheel, heated/cooled leather seats, automatic environmental system, sunroof and a million other gadgets. I also paid extra to have custom towing stuff added, brake controller, as I tow some light weight trailers sometimes for camping or atv riding.

I call it "Gizmo" due to all the gadgets, for those who name cars you know what I mean.

Does this sound normal for others who've been in a car accident? Being sore, projectiles flying around?

[AviatorTom]

As I describe in this post:
Have you ever been in an auto accident?

I've been in 3 accidents. None my fault, and no major injuries.

My worst injury was the time a pregnant learner's permit girl hit me. My hand was on the stick shift at the time (I was just starting out and in the middle of a shift) and the knuckle of my middle finger was bruised and painful for several days... nothing broken. That still occasionally bothers me, years after that accident.

The t-bone crash was the only time airbags went off, and all of them did: driver, passenger, both side airbags. That's the main reason my car was totaled by the insurance company. It would have cost thousands to replace the airbags, in addition to the rear passenger body work required. I was a little sore for a day or so, from being tossed around when my car did a 180 from the collision, but nothing serious and I was fully back to normal within a week.

[AviatorTom]

Thanks for the mho

[Diodoro]

Completely normal. That's part of the reason why they say you should go get checked at the hospital even if you don't feel sore, because it's entirely possible that you had internal bleeding or some other stressed into the body that you haven't noticed yet

What do you see something coming like that that you can't do anything about, your body and stinks really tenses up as a protective measure. But the problem with that is because your body is now rigid getting jerked around can cause stress at certain parts of your body. Such as the joints. Neck shoulders, back

Things like that.

[Diodoro]

You will most likely be fine, but if you haven't you should go to the hospital to get checked just to be certain

[Red_Arrow]

I have been hit in the rear before, but not as severely, so just a bit of soreness. I have a relative who was at a stop and was clobbered at high speed in the rear and she definitely hurt for a long time. Iterestingly, it was a distracted cop who hit her. Never seen so many cops show up at an accident as happened there!
Why did you call it a non reportable accident? Anything like that is usually required to report and to have the police show up due to the seriousness.
You seat ios not designed to flatten. It should stay up and the head rest should hold you head from snapping back too far. The sheer force of the impact overwhelmed the design and fattened it! The phone going through the rear window is because it was at rest, so when the car was instantly thrown forward, it remained in place and the rear window came forward and broke when it hit the phone. You folk were very lucky, but still should get checked out throughly while the body is still traumatized so that the exam will find everything that the accident caused. You will need that for recovering medical costs from the other party.

[Aerissa_Jade]

The form here, for non-reportable means I am not at fault, so not reported to raise my insurance rates. It is still a accident form. The other driver didn't get that form, he got the reportable form.

I was wondering about the seat, had someone been sitting back there, they would of got hurt pretty bad.

[Fireguy17]

How you feel/felt is very normal.
At first you adrenaline is keeping you from feeling too bad, but after it starts to wear off then things will start hurting.
That is why we try to get patients to agree to go to the hospital to be checked out.
We have had to go to someone's house after an accident because of sever pain.
Turns out they had a broken leg, but we're walking around just fine right after the accident.
Things like that are very common.
Serious neck injuries are easily masked by the adrenaline surge.
Vehicles today are made to dissipate energy in many ways.
The have crumple zones to help absorb energy before it reaches the passenger compartment.
Shedding parts, noise, bending all take away energy from the passengers.
You/their insurance company will determine if your car is repairable or a total loss.
If your pain is persistent go get checked out, for your own welfare, and for possible future litigation.
Most people don't know that getting transported to the hobby ambulance at least in our state is worth at least 5 grand more on a settlement even if you are treated and released.
I've been in fire/ems for 39 years.
People are walking away from accidents now that used to be fatal years ago.
Hope you feel better soon.

[ohshee]

You need to make sure that you get the police report from the police you need to find out if there's any witnesses to get a report from them and yes I'm sure your boyfriend just had his phone sitting in his hand we don't hold on to our phones very tight of course it's going to fly especially at 50 mph you're both going to be sore for a long time matter fact you'll probably get more sore for the next couple days I really need to get into a cold bath tub and then hot and cold just don't sign any papers from either Insurance Company until it's taken care of your car is totaled their car is totaled
on your car is called called the tow package... so if they were going to 50 how fast were you going. Or were you at a stop

[Aerissa_Jade]

I was at a complete stop as there were cars stopped in front, had been that way for a good 20 or so seconds.

[ohshee]

Well you're definitely going to have to get a lawyer and their insurance company should get you a car to drive but that will have to go through your lawyer first or your insurance company so did you stiffen up more today 50 mph is a very hard hit I've been T-boned before in a car and if it would have been going just a little bit faster I probably would have been dead but I broke Ribs lower vertebrae's lower disc

[dustybiker]

I’m glad you are both okay. It’s traumatic.
Anything not tied down will become a projectile in an accident. It’s important to keep pets on a harness seatbelt or tied down pet carrier for this reason.
I was hit by a semi truck doing 50, so know where you are coming from. You look at the damage and can’t believe your injuries are minor. They really do a great job designing vehicles for impacts.
My sore neck, back and shoulder lasted about 6 weeks, most constant pain was gone after three.
I think being fit helps. I’m in taekwondo. My instructor looked me over too as he’s an expert in injuries. Telling me what moves to avoid, etc.
My plumber was a body builder, massive bulk. He also was hit by a semi truck doing the same and he came out worse than me, but his doctors said he only survived due to the muscle mass.
We come to take driving so casually. Blink of an eye and it can all change.

[ShadezMcgee]

Ot is natural for those getting hit from behind to experience soreness or whiplash from something like that. However in your case it may feel as bad because you tended up and braced for the impact. Doing that can lead to injury as well.

That is one reason why drunk drivers get away with little to no injuries whenever they get in an accident. Their body is more relaxed through the alcohol, so upon collision or a roll, they go with the motion and not resist or fight the incoming accident via tensing up.

[loveslongnails]

It's VERY normal for soreness and pain to onset a day or two after an accident. When trauma occurs to your body, it goes into shock mode, meaning there's a lack of blood circulating throughout the body. If the trauma is severe, it can be life threatening. If it's less severe, there's still a lack of circulation affecting your nerves so you'll feel less pain. After a day or so when things begin to normalize and the blood is back where it should be, you'll start feeling pain and soreness in the areas that suffered the event. It's all quite normal.

[lightbulb27]

I've been tail ended about 2 times in my life.

normal, and I'd expect some short term chiropractor work, the pain shows up few days later. messed up muscles pull spine out of alignment.

good thought on those bullets in the car... like cell phones. Anything becomes a projectile, I'm always looking how to secure things low or under seat, especially metal objects.

chock it up to distracted driving...

lucky, hope you both heal up.

[CountessSarah]

I was in a car accident about 6 years ago. I was in the passenger seat, while we were stopped at a junction. A car flew into us from behind seemingly without having attempted to slow down at all - I assume they were on a phone or otherwise distracted.
My shoulders still hurt occasionally and I can't lift stuff as well or for as long as I used to be able to.

[Deydey12345]

It had to be more than 50km/h with all that damage! I once hit someone at 30km per hour without leaving a mark... was it a miracle? Maybe... I'm not sure 😅 but there was a big *BANG* .
But for that reason, I believe the driver behind you was driving at 100km per hour at least.

[slatyb]

Pretty normal for a collision at that speed. Was the other driver charged? Insured? Sounds like someone was distracted. My new Honda CRV automatically brakes in situations like that.

[Aerissa_Jade]

He has insurance, and was charged. I don't know the details on if he was distracted or what. His vehicle is a old 2001 so none of that newer fancy stuff.

[slatyb]

Sorry this happened to you. I hope that you and your boyfriend are ok. Sounds like the car is a total loss. I don't think you want it back. Have you gotten a comparable loaner from the other driver's insurance company?

[Aerissa_Jade]

Still don't know yet on totaled, it was towed to the body shop today, didn't hear anything on it. His mini van basically crashed right into my hitch, I think we are okay though. Got some xrays tonight and all looks well, just sore muscles that some muscle relaxants will help with, I hope.

[exitseven]

First off, any one of these that you walk away from is a good one. I am glad you survived.
It sounds like somebody was screwing with his phone instead of watching where he was going. I hope the cops showed up and made a detailed report. You should think about getting an attorney and suing the pants off this moron. You could have just as easily been killed if you didn't have such a sturdy vehicle.

[andy530]

That’s about what I experienced too. Unfortunately I was in some shock when it first happened so didn’t realize how sore my back actually was for a day or so

[Aerissa_Jade]

That is me today

[andy530]

I’m sorry to hear that! Hope you heal up quickly

[Anonymous]

Sounds pretty normal to me, good thing you had an suv , probably have a case of whiplash, your car might be considered totaled though, hopefully not. The person that hit you is probably in bad shape and was probably looking at their phone and didn’t know till too late

[Neilbud]

I've had one similar. I was not sore, but I've heard it's common. Projectiles flying is common too. Hope everyone comes out ok.

[Aerissa_Jade]

We are both okay, but I'm going to get screwed over by insurance it looks like and have no car and no way to replace it, figures.

[jamesgoldman]

You've got whiplash most likely and that is the better news because that car is a write-off which is the bad news

Could be worse you could have been like me and ended up with spinal compression

[Staximus]

You will be sore for a while. Call an accident attorney before you sign any papers with any insurance people. Insurance companies are in the habit of doing the bare minimum when it comes to medical treatment.

[Still-alive]

Damn sorry you we t through that. I've been in a few bad accidents myself and yeah that sounds pretty normal. since you were rear ended the person who hit you should pay for everything so you should be set there. You got insurance right?

[Still-alive]

Make sure to detail all of this if you call the insurance up

[douride2]

If you got tail ended at that kind of a speed your lucky to have walked away with minor injuries. What happened sounds normal. Anything not secured becomes a missile in almost any collision.

[TacosRAwesome]

Last March while I was driving to work with my partner someone t-boned us at a roundabout. I was shook but mostly fine but partner was in pain for weeks.

[Baredog69]

Everything you mentioned sounds perfectly normal. You're very fortunate the crash test that they do on vehicles is only done at 30 mph. You guys should thank your lucky stars.