"Surviving a Major Car Accident on the Expressway: A Second Chance at Life | Thankful to Tata Motors for Safety."

 

On the 27th of April 2023, my father-in-law retired after 34 years of service at BARC. It was a special day, and he wanted the whole family to be present at the event in BARC office Mumbai. We had also planned a retirement party for him near Kelve Beach, so we were supposed to stay there for a few days. Since my wife was five months pregnant, she had decided to stay at her place for the next two months. So, my wife and me loaded the car with all the luggage and her important belongings and left for Mumbai from our home in Pune at 10:30 AM in the morning to attend the function, which was supposed to start at 3 PM.

We started our journey and, while heading towards Mumbai, we filled our car's tires with nitrogen as it was summer and high temperature. It is recommended to use nitrogen air in the tires during this season. Then we refueled the tank, but I had a thought of filling it up entirely. However, considering the summer season, we decided against it and refueled half the tank before heading towards Mumbai.

 It was a bright sunny morning with no traffic on the road, making the drive pleasant. We were enjoying our favourite Bollywood romantic songs from the 90s.

 Around 12 PM, we were on the Pune Mumbai expressway, maintaining an average speed of 80 km/h. I mostly drove in the middle lane while having a conversation with my wife about the importance of following lane discipline on the highway. Meanwhile, we spotted a Rolls-Royce Phantom on the expressway, driving in the last lane with an average speed of 60 km/h. We crossed Lonavala calmly, and the ghat section was about to end.

Near the Khopoli exit, we were made to halt due to ongoing construction work on the highway. There were around 12-15 cars halted along with us, and we were in the first lane. Ahead of us was a black Toyota Highlander, and I mentioned to my wife to ask her father to consider buying that car if he was planning to. Just as I said that we heard a loud thud-like sound from behind, and we couldn't understand what was happening. Both of the front airbags had deployed, obstructing our view. Our seats were reclined completely, as if we were in a sleeping position. The car continued moving, and I tried to stop it using the brakes, but I couldn't. I was scared out of my mind, and my wife and I were crying in fear, unable to comprehend the situation. After some time, the car stopped, and the cabin was engulfed in flames, making it completely dark.

 People rushed towards us and opened my wife's car door, and she got out safely. From my side, a man tried to open the door, but the handle came off in his hand. Then another man came from my side, applied more strength, and managed to open the door. I got out of the car, and from opposite sides, My wife and I looked at each other, crying. I couldn't go to her side as there were damaged cars all around. The scene was horrific, and I was still trying to understand what had happened. I asked someone, and they told me that a truck had come from behind, unable to brake, and crashed directly into us. As we were at the end, the first impact was on our car. The Toyota Highlander ahead of us ended up on the roof of the Dzire car in front of it.

 It scared the life out of me, but somehow I managed to reach my wife. I checked if she was hurt or had any injuries, and fortunately, she was unharmed. I couldn't find my phone, but we found my wife's phone. The first number I dialed was my father's. In shock and with a trembling voice, I told him about the major accident on the expressway involving 12-15 cars being hit by a truck, and our car was completely damaged. He inquired about our well-being and assured us that he would come as soon as possible, asking us not to worry or panic.

We saw our car, completely destroyed from the front, back, and sides. But the cabin remained intact. Considering the level of destruction caused by the accident, my wife and I were incredibly lucky to escape with not even a single scratch on our bodies.

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to @Tatamotors for manufacturing such a strong car. If it had been any other car, we most likely would not have survived the accident and gotten a second chance at life. We also extend our gratitude to the people who came to our rescue after the accident, showing that humanity is still alive.

We often take our loved ones and life itself for granted. Incidents like this remind us of the importance and preciousness of life.

My sister, who was talking to my mother when the accident happened, came to know about it when my father rushed home to inform my mother. She left with my brother-in-law, who left his work immediately to see us.

Special thanks to my friend and brother who rushed to see us with my parents the minute he received the call from me about the accident.

We also acknowledge the supreme power that protected us. Without His blessings, the outcome could have been completely different today.

After the accident, a thought crossed my mind about how we would have informed our parents if any of us hadn't made it through the accident.

We are extremely grateful to our parents and God for giving us a second chance at life and wish to make the most of it.

We kindly request @[ChiefMinisterMaharashtra] and @[MinisterRoadTransportIndia] to implement stringent rules and strict laws. By doing so, we can significantly reduce the number of accidents caused by truck drivers on the wrong lanes, safeguarding countless lives and preventing untold suffering.

 

Losses incurred in this incident:

- We lost our first family car, which we had bought with our savings. This car brought us convenience,
freedom, and opportunities for growth. It enhanced our quality of life, promoted family bonding, and symbolized social and economic progress. Acquiring our first family car was a significant milestone, celebrated as a symbol of achievement and a catalyst for a better future.

- Financial loss of about lakh rupees. (To get the claim amount from insurance we need to shell out money for towing, car damage total cost, etc, etc)

Emotional trauma after the car accident:

- The accident has caused emotional trauma, leaving me feeling anxious, scared, and overwhelmed. I am experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. Sleep has been difficult at night.

- I have developed a fear of driving, which is challenging to overcome. This fear affects my daily life, making it difficult to commute, run errands, or visit family and friends.

 

We have been blessed with amazing parents, relatives, and friends who have shown us immense love and support during this challenging time.

 

One thing is certain: with the blessings of our Parents and God, we have been given a New Life, and we will overcome these challenges and RISE AGAIN….

 

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