Please drive careful and recovering from traumatic accident

the other day I was driving on the interstate. there was an accident way up ahead and all traffic was stopped. After I stopped and person behind me stopped someone was playing with their radio and probably speeding struck the car behind me so hard my full size truck was smooshed kind of like an accordion. But thankfully I was ok. In shock I guess I came to my senses. The car from behind me caught fire. the car that stuck that one went off towards the interstate median.I got out and tried to get the woman out of the car that was on fire. As soon as I got here door open the car exploded. There was nothing I could do. Many lives were changed forever because a young man didn't pay attention while driving.
please drive careful

That must've been quite the intense and emotional experience. I can't imagine trying to rescue someone from a fire and see that happen. Sounds like you did all you could.
So glad you're okay! Might be good to take it a bit easy the next few days, sometimes there can be musculoskeletal injuries that aren't super obvious right away after an accident like that. Plus that sounds traumatic to witness, for sure.

Oh lord, that's awful. What a terrible thing to experience and witness.

Driving is by far the most dangerous thing any of us do, except maybe skydiving and mountaineering. It's so routine, numbing our attention, and yet we live every moment within a hair's breadth of disaster.

Bruce, if in time you find that the images keep coming back to you or you're feeling guilt and remorse even though you couldn't do anything, please talk about it to people you trust, or a counsellor.

Bruce, I am so sorry to hear about the accident. Don't be surprised if you feel out of sorts for several (or more) days after. Physical and emotional shock are nature's way of shielding us in the short term so that we can function, but at some point it may feel very real and personal. That's ok. Talking to someone or several someones about the experience will help you sort it out too.

After my car wreck a long time ago, I remember calmly talking to the state troopers, then going to get a burger, driving my totaled car home then going numb and not able to think straight. I never ate the food and was just on autopilot. I had serious injuries to my back and neck but felt no pain. It took several days to figure out all the physical and emotional things that were happening. The best advice I can give you is to just ride it out and get any help to need to do this.

It's amazing how a split second of inattention can cause so much harm.

Ouch ouch ouch. I've seen Bruce's truck & it was a big heavy duty truck. That must have been one heck of an impact. It's a terrible feeling to not be able help someone else in such a bad situation. Sometimes there's just nothing us mere mortals can do. Hang in there Bruce. Not trying to be funny but what did the car that hit you look like? Fubar I'm guessing.

For the record I made many skydives for the military & climbed many mountains too. Driving is much scarier. Almost without exception folks who parachute & climb mountains are extremely careful with every tiny detail because they fully understand the consequences of mistakes. Drivers? Not so much.

Bruce: I sorrow for you and everyone involved.  :(    there are no words.....

I have for years told people "When you are driving a car, you are controlling a lethal weapon. You can kill yourself or others VERY fast." I wish I knew how to get others to stay focused when driving.

I'm so sorry for your trauma, Bruce. Please take extra good care of you.

Thinking of you mate, so unnecessary, so close to helping, so ......

Bruce, that was certainly a traumatic event. If you feel you need more help, can I recommend EMDR trauma therapy, Eye movement desensitization response? I truly help me in dealing with trauma that had me paralyzed from fear and unable to work for 6 years.  I spent 6 years barely getting off the couch, not getting dressed, leaving the house much at all. This therapy was a huge game-changer for me. Please seek professional help if you think you need it. You were very brave to try to save the other driver, not take care of yourself. I hope that the driver that hit that car has been charged.