# Witness to Terrible Accident: Need Doper Hugs **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 4, 2010, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186 "2010-08-04T19:39:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/21 "2010-08-04T20:48:39Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > May I ask, where do you live that there are no helmet laws? > > I’m very happy to hear he’ll be okay, for him and for you! Quick search shows only 20 of the 50 US states have full helmet laws. Not getting into that debate though… just happy to hear the kid is alive. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/22 "2010-08-04T21:03:03Z")
I’m glad the kid is alive, and I’m glad you feel better, **Jennshark**. I’m also glad that I can now share this and not feel like I’m making everything about me. My dad had a close call lately, and this thread made me think about it, and I didn’t know where else to share it. Last week, my dad was in a pretty serious accident that was close to being much worse. I’d gotten a call from my mother saying basicly, “Your dad was in accident. He’s fine. I’ll call again later when I know more.” And I went about my day. Later that night I talked to my dad and he laid out the details. There was a camper that had lost its brakes coming down a hill into the small town where my parents live. It clipped one car coming down the road before screaming through an intersection, where my dad was, at about 50 mph. Dad said he just barely saw the grill coming at him at a perfect t-bone angle, and out of sheer panic / instinct he stomped on the accelerator, giving himself 3 or 4 feet of get-out-of-the-way, before the camper slammed the back of his pick-up and slung him around 180, and sent him rolling into a guard-rail. Turns out he was all in one piece. Nothing broken, nothing bleeding. He’s just been hella-sore since. After I talked to him, I was completely freaked out. My mother was so calm, she made it sound like a fender bender. My dad made it sound like he was destined for a closed casket. I was literally shaking for a good hour after the phone call. And yes, Mort, the cat, did help me calm down a little. At any rate, thanks for letting me share (like you had a choice) and I’m glad all concerned in this passion play are (relatively) alright. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/23 "2010-08-04T21:51:54Z")
I’m sorry you experienced such a horrible shock, and glad the young man may yet be OK. Puppy therapy (or kitty therapy, as you prefer) is the very best kind. I haven’t even had any trauma today, and I think I’ll go get myself some puppy lovin’ on your behalf. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/24 "2010-08-04T22:01:30Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > May I ask, where do you live that there are no helmet laws? > > I’m very happy to hear he’ll be okay, for him and for you! It shocked the hell out of me when we started driving in the US and there were all these people riding motorcycles without helmets. It still doesn’t make any sense to me, but apparently that is the way it is in 30 out of 50 states. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/25 "2010-08-04T22:01:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Quick search shows only 20 of the 50 US states have full helmet laws. Wow, I had no idea that was the case. Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/26 "2010-08-04T22:09:39Z")
Holy crap, **Jack Batty** , I’m glad your dad’s ok, and that Mort was there for you. Hugs for you too. Thanks for posting the kid’s still alive, **Jennshark**. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/27 "2010-08-04T22:18:54Z")
There was a motorcycle accident across the street from work about 8-9 years ago. The guy lost control while turning through an intersection, clipped a Jeep, and flew headfirst into a brick wall. Was wearing a helmet. Snapped his neck. DOA at hospital. What was worse was later in the afternoon when his absolutely grief-stricken brother came into the store just looking for some insight to what happened. He was so sad and still obviously numb, and kind of - blank. I was worried that he shouldn’t have been driving, and made him sit down for a while and have some coffee. So, I’m really happy the OP’s situation turned out better. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/28 "2010-08-04T22:24:21Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Quick search shows only 20 of the 50 US states have full helmet laws. > > Wow, I had no idea that was the case. Thanks for the info. You have to keep in mind, too, that “helmet law” does not necessarily mean riders will abide by it. I see riders all the time with no helmets (and tank tops and shorts; that will be road rash from hell even if the accident doesn’t kill them) and I’m pretty sure we do have a helmet law here. Maybe ours is age specific, I dunno. Any case, glad to hear it’s turned out okay. My brother and I came upon a motorcycle accident one time. I couldn’t even tell what the hell happened, to be honest with you, but I heard later that he got caught up in a downed/drooping line of some kind (seems unlikely, but those were the reports). They were on their way back from fishing and his whole family was in the car behind him and wound up hitting him after he dumped his bike. We showed up right after that and I sat with his sister while my brother took the kids away. It was horrifying. One of the clearest memories I have of that is his sister laughing like a maniac (shock, I’m sure). It was eerie. They got a helicopter to take him out of there and I doubt very much that he made it but it seems possible anyway. Another “Holy crap, Jack!” from me. Scary. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/29 "2010-08-05T01:30:07Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > That is terrible (and part of the terrible is how preventable it would have been). My husband witnessed a neighbour’s dog being hit and killed in the street last year; I think he was truly surprised at how much it affected him. Take it easy on yourself - that is a big shock. > > We have neighbours across the street who have a 3 or 4 year old that they let play on the sidewalk next to a busy road - I am afraid that I’m going to witness something awful someday, too. ☹ I’m with you on the preventability of the accident. It’s sad when someone dies, yes, but it’s even more sad when it could have been prevented. Take care of yourself after witnessing this. It’s pretty traumatic. **hugs** ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/30 "2010-08-05T04:33:17Z")
> [@Jennshark](#): > > HE’S STILL ALIVE AND WILL PROBABLY MAKE IT! I just found a very short entry in the local paper’s “breaking news.” My God, what a relief. How anyone could survive those injuries is unbelievable. > > Thank you, all, for your kind words and responses. I do have my sweet doggies and mean cat to keep me company. Somehow knowing he’s still alive is helping me unsee some of the yucky things. Wow. I’m glad that he is okay! ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/31 "2010-08-05T04:48:43Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > What was worse was later in the afternoon when his absolutely grief-stricken brother came into the store just looking for some insight to what happened. Granny Ruby told me a story about a car accident that happened in front of her house years ago. A family of four had been in the car and one little boy died at the scene. She said a heartbreaking thing to see was family members trying to get the little dead boy to stand up and walk. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/32 "2010-08-05T05:18:54Z")
> [@lavenderviolet](#): > > > [@Jennshark](#): > > > > HE’S STILL ALIVE AND WILL PROBABLY MAKE IT! I just found a very short entry in the local paper’s “breaking news.” My God, what a relief. How anyone could survive those injuries is unbelievable. > > > > Thank you, all, for your kind words and responses. I do have my sweet doggies and mean cat to keep me company. Somehow knowing he’s still alive is helping me unsee some of the yucky things. > > Wow. I’m glad that he is okay! There can be a huge difference between alive and OK. **Jennshark** I am glad you are better. An accident is an ugly thing to witness, and brain bleach is often hard to come by. Good for you that you did what you did. While other people stood around or drove by, you did what was necessary. {{{{Jennshark}}}} ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/33 "2010-08-05T07:35:22Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > May I ask, where do you live that there are no helmet laws? So… how well do you follow your local speed laws? (generic you) **Jennshark** , I’m glad you had good news, and would like to add kudos for stopping and helping (Detente y Ayuda, Stop and Help, is the name of the Spanish volunteer EMT organization). ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/34 "2010-08-06T22:59:43Z")
[quote=“Jennshark, post:16, topic:549186”] > [@phouka](#): > > HE’S STILL ALIVE AND WILL PROBABLY MAKE IT! I just found a very short entry in the local paper’s “breaking news.” My God, what a relief. How anyone could survive those injuries is unbelievable. > > Thank you, all, for your kind words and responses. I do have my sweet doggies and mean cat to keep me company. Somehow knowing he’s still alive is helping me unsee some of the yucky things. I’m glad he made it! He had a couple of things going for him. His age and prompt medical attention. It was nice you stopped to help with traffic. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186/35 "2010-08-07T04:57:57Z")
> [@phouka](#): > > Be aware that you may be susceptible to PTSD, and if you start showing symptoms, see a doctor. A couple months ago I watched a fatal motorcycle accident in my rear view mirror. The accident was not my fault. But, if I hadn’t slowed down to turn left, he wouldn’t have over-corrected into the path of oncoming traffic and his wife would still be alive. My mom was in the car with me and has been having major depressive episodes and fears for the mortality of her family ever since. Her therapist believes it’s PTSD and she is going to be seeing someone else in 2 weeks. Apparently I’ve been invited to come. I don’t get the debilitating feelings of guilt that I had right after the accident but I do still think about it a lot and occasionally feel guilt. I think I am going to go with her. It can only help. I am really glad that the driver in the OP is going to make it. I used to want a motorcycle. Now I cringe whenever one blows past me on the highway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witness-to-terrible-accident-need-doper-hugs/549186.md?page=1)