This morning on my way to work I hydroplaned and went into a tail spin. I spun out twice. It was slow motion and everything seemed chrystal clear. There was silence except the two words I barely whispered "oh fuck" in my mind glass was flying everywhere, I felt the car come off the ground and instead of trying to correct it I kept the wheel steady in the turn. I didn't hit the brake until I felt ground under the tires. I came to a stop in the ditch facing the opposite direction. I put the car in park and breathed. I was facing the wrong way on a busy highway exit. I put the car back in drive pulled out of the ditch, did a two point turn to get back facing the correct way and drove to work. When I got into my parking spot I got out walked around my car to look for damage, there was none. A coworker pulled in beside me, got out and said good morning. That's when my calm disappeared. I was shook up the rest of the day, not even wanting to drive home although I eventually did. I didn't pray in that moment, I didn't see God or hear any imaginary voices, my life didn't flash before my eyes. No, just clearity, just stillness and a little imaginary glass, in fact the only thing that shook me up after was thinking about the what ifs. Not even the ultimate what ifs but the ones smaller. The ones like if it had been worse who would the hospital call for me? Would anyone think to let my job know?
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I'm glad you came out unscathed! Stay safe.
OpposingOpposum
Level 9
Oct 9, 2018
1
Firstly: Glad you're OK! I've been in a few tight spots like this. Some came and went quickly, almost making me put an emotional reaction on hold while some sort of sheer survival instinct kicked in. Once, as I realized I was safe again, it seemed like all the adrenaline in my body shot into circulation, and I shook like a leaf! But, it wasn't fear -- it was purely physical. The most interesting times were when I was exposed to life-threatening danger for an extended period, and was very aware of the danger and what could happen. In both cases, however, there was this hyper awareness: The "slow motion" and the "clarity" you mention. Never did I experience any big thoughts or abstractions about ultimate reality, meaning of life, prayer, etc. Quite the opposite: there was an incredible attention to detail that still leaves me with lasting memories, yet there were not necessarily details I consciously thought I should focus on. The stars in the sky; how warm or cold I felt; how wet grass smelled or salty ocean water tasted. Very immediate, very precise, yet not focused -- I was noticing a million things all at once. Strangely exhilarating ...
The-Krzyz
Level 8
Oct 9, 2018
3
Whoa! Glad to see you are ok!
Had something similar happen to me but in the winter time.
A car came into my lane (far left) which was merging into the two lanes on the right. It was one of those highway roads where you merge into the fast lane of the other highway.
That other car came in so fast, skidded over the 'horn' where some snow/ice patch was. The car slid perpendicular to the front of my car in tandem as I slowed down, similar to how those Audi stunt driving school teachers do it, but in my case, it was anticipating this person coming into too fast on that lane, so I braked way ahead of time slowing down. The other car caught grip and spun into the ditch. Our cars never touched but were separated with a gap about 3 feet at a high rate of speed for a distance which seemed like forever. Luckily their car didn't flip over/roll or collide with any guard rail.
My friend told me once, "The person who is most willing to get into an accident has the right of way."
MacStriker
Level 7
Oct 8, 2018
3
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