friend involved in an accident, advice needed

Audi driver

Hi guys, worried about my friend and looking for anyone with experience or advice for her! she was involved in an accident on sunday, she cant remember what happened as she was knocked unconscious but we are assuming she must have fallen asleep whle driving which resulted in her crashing into an oncoming car! Luckily my friend and the other person involved weren't seriously hurt, my friend spent 2 nights in hospital but thankfully theres nothing major wrong. My friend is very down about it all, she cant remember any aspects of the accident and is unsure as to what will happen to her? the gardai that dealt with the incident aren't telling her anything as of yet! what steps should she take next or has anyone ever been in a similar situation?

MugMugs

Glad she's okay but if you're asking if she is going to be prosecuted then only the Gardaí can answer that. Was she insured?

Audi driver

thanks for the reply Mugsmug,assuming she prob will be prosecuted, dont really know what answer Im looking for, I just feel awful for her! Was just wondering did anyone else ever have an accident similar to this? and if so what was the outcome in your situation, I kind of want to prepare her for all possible outcomes but in a way that wont get her even more down! :-( its a nightmare situation!

Audi driver

MugMugs wrote: »

Glad she's okay but if you're asking if she is going to be prosecuted then only the Gardaí can answer that. Was she insured?

ya she was insured thankfully

I wouldn't be presuming she fell asleep unless she actually remembers being very tired behind the wheel. It may take a while for her mind to allow her to remember what happened. If she can't remember than she can't remember.

Fiskar

The Guards are probably waiting for results of toxicology (drugs or alcohol) before proceeding with any course of action.

You haven't said if the accident occurred early morning or late at night, long drive, coming home from work after nightshift so really not much more can be offered.

Reg'stoy

She will no doubt be interviewed by the investigating Garda and also have to make a statement to her insurer. She should keep both of these to the known facts and not to expand on what she doesn't know to be certain. Do not say anything about falling asleep as she or nobody will know that to be a certainty.

Get her to write down as much as she can remember about the time, weather, road conditions etc. Accidents have a number of factors, it seems reading between the lines that one was that she was tired, we could pontificate about that but it won't help her now.

The best thing is neither her or the other driver were badly injured. Physical evidence along with both statements from her and the other driver will point to cause and fault which may or may not end up with a prosecution.

One salient point for us all is the risk of driving while tired.

Audi driver

RoverJames wrote: »

I wouldn't be presuming she fell asleep unless she actually remembers being very tired behind the wheel. It may take a while for her mind to allow her to remember what happened. If she can't remember than she can't remember.

Thanks for your reply RoverJames, she said she was tired that day because she had exams all that week and was up late, drove 2 hours home after an exam before the incident occured. As I said she cant remember what happened so I guess ye are right, there is no point in her saying she thinks she fell asleep when she doesnt know

Audi driver

Fiskar wrote: »

The Guards are probably waiting for results of toxicology (drugs or alcohol) before proceeding with any course of action.

You haven't said if the accident occurred early morning or late at night, long drive, coming home from work after nightshift so really not much more can be offered.

thanks for your reply,It occured around 7 in the evening, she had driven for 2hours after exams and was still an hour from home

Audi driver

Reg'stoy wrote: »

She will no doubt be interviewed by the investigating Garda and also have to make a statement to her insurer. She should keep both of these to the known facts and not to expand on what she doesn't know to be certain. Do not say anything about falling asleep as she or nobody will know that to be a certainty.

Get her to write down as much as she can remember about the time, weather, road conditions etc. Accidents have a number of factors, it seems reading between the lines that one was that she was tired, we could pontificate about that but it won't help her now.

The best thing is neither her or the other driver were badly injured. Physical evidence along with both statements from her and the other driver will point to cause and fault which may or may not end up with a prosecution.

One salient point for us all is the risk of driving while tired.

thanks for your reply! Ill def. get her to write down what she does remember about the evening, thanks for that advice. She definately was tired due to exam stress, again Im not sure if that was the cause but it def. highlights for me the dangers of driving while really tired!:(