Sunday, December 2, 2007

LA 5 Car Pile UP

car accident
My close brush with death happened inside an automobile when I figured in a 6 car pile up in the highway of Los Angeles California 5 years ago. Up to this day I still carry the scar of that accident. I still walk with a slight limp on my leg but I am still glad that I am still alive, same goes with the other people who were involved in that car pile up 5 years ago.


I still remember that day as crystal as the water on a clear lake. I was on my way to work that time driving along the highway of Los Angeles going to downtown LA when a bit of a fog occupies the road, visibility is still alright and I remember talking to someone on the phone when the accident happened. I saw a car in front of me which was not moving I kicked on the break pedal but it's too late as I just watch in horror the impact my car made on the vehicle in front of me.


I was wearing seatbelt that enough lessens the impact but as my car stopped to a halt another car bumped my car from behind and then another car hit from behind. In total 6 cars hit each other in the span of a few minutes before the other cars in the area realized what's going on and eventually stopped in their tracks.


As the dust settles I found out later that the car I hit was already involved in another accident as it already hit another vehicle when I hit it. Thank God nobody was killed but scores of people including me were wounded. Some were hurt so bad that paramedics took some time to get them out of their crumpled vehicles. Others got bloodied face and like me broken bones on their body.


I broke my leg and cracked some ribs with minor bruises in my face and concussions in the head. I spent a total of 7 days at the hospital. Later I came to know that the previous two cars which were involved in the first part of the pile up where driven by teenagers who were drunk. Another case of drunken driving that almost caused a life on the road.


That is why I am now part of a campaign against drunk driving and other unsafe measures while driving. I remember myself talking on the phone when I hit the car in front of me that day, so I now discourage everyone not to even use their phone while driving. Driving a car needs 100% concentration that doing other stuff aside from driving puts risk in your life and others as well.


I hope my experience will teach other people a lesson that driving is a dangerous task once safety precautions are not practiced. Drinking and talking on the phone at the same time might risk your life or someone else's life. Be responsible and nobody will get hurt on the road.