What does a 40mph collision feel like?

According to the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration, 6.4 million car crashes occurred in 2017 alone. These accidents occurred at speeds of 40mph or less.

This past Saturday I woke up at 6:00am, I planned to coach my soccer match, kissed my sleeping kids and wife goodbye, fed my cat Frank and dog Sally and left my house at 7:20am to arrive early for a 9am match. While in transit traveling 95N intercity, the interstate road eventually becomes narrow and winding. This particular morning, I was rear-ended with an impact speed of 45mph while involved in a multi-car accident. As I slammed my breaks avoiding a front end collision, once at a complete stop, I turned around and noticed a vehicle approaching me at a rapid speed. I had no time to think, speak, or move…… All I knew and understood was to prepare for the worst.

So, let's use some numbers to add relevance to the impact of speed at 40mph. If you weigh 180 pounds and are wearing your seat belt at the time of the crash, the accident would have an average impact force of 14,673 pounds. This equates to getting hit with a mass of 7.33 tons and is equivalent to the weight of 7 polar bears. If you weigh 180 pounds and ARE NOT WEARING YOUR SEAT BELT at the time of the crash, the accident would have an average impact force of 73,363 pounds. This equates to getting hit with a mass of 36.7 tons and is equivalent to the weight of 6 elephants….. correct… 6 elephants.

Day 3 post accident, I have minor body aches, mainly upper and lower back. Although I suffered a tough concussion, the severity of injury certainly could have been a lot worst. As I reflect and thank God I was the only person inside the vehicle while preparing me for impact and saving my life, I write this story to advise the following.

1. Life is too short, appreciate, hug, kiss your loved ones every day. I love you may be the most powerful expression, say it, mean it, live it. Every day is a gift.

2. Contribute 1% of your income into life insurance. Loss of income could devastate a family financially while fighting the depression of losing a loved one.

3. DO NOT purchase State Minimum Auto Coverage. Virginia State Law minimum bodily injury limit per person is $25,000 while property damage liability limit is $20,000. If you are at fault, do you think $20,000 is enough to cover the damage of 4 vehicles let alone the injuries of all parties involved?....no. In 15mins or less, you could set yourself up for disaster, take the time to review your insurance policy.

4. Understand the correlations of speed impact. Your life has far more worth, It's not worth speeding nor following too close.

5. Use common sense, numbers never lie. Wear your seatbelt. 7 polar bears hurts, but 6 elephants? You're dead.

See you at practice tmrw boys.