A road traffic incident can change many lives, including the lives of those involved as drivers.

For Kirsty, the impact was profound.

“I was involved in a car crash where a pedestrian was seriously injured. No drugs or alcohol were involved but I was at fault. I was then subsequently charged with serious injury by careless driving.”

In the months and years that followed, Kirsty was left trying to make sense of what had happened while carrying the weight of its consequences.

“This has had a profound impact on me. It was very traumatic knowing about the injuries and seeing the scene. I don’t think the guilt of that day will ever leave me.”

“The flashbacks and the impact of causing somebody serious harm will stay with me forever.”

“I was really struggling emotionally, particularly with the guilt of what happened, and struggling to understand how it happened. I was trying to process it all. Years later, I still struggle with that.”

Alongside this, having never been in trouble before, Kirsty found herself navigating an unfamiliar legal and court process. She also faced time away from work, legal costs and having to disclose the charge to her profession.

“The stigma and shame of what happened stays with me and probably always will.”

When asked how Aftermath had supported her and what had made the biggest difference, Kirsty said:

“Reassurance that I wasn’t alone, emotional support and practical advice.”

When asked what difference the support had made, Kirsty said:

“It helped me come to terms with what happened and to be open and honest about it. I’ve learned to live with what happened with the help of medication, but before the support I was in an extremely bad place mentally, struggling with the guilt.”

Thinking about others who have been affected, Kirsty says:

“I don’t think there is anything I can say as a driver who caused injury. I haven’t been on the other side of that, but I can understand the anger from their part that comes with it.”

Every person’s experience is unique. Kirsty’s story offers an insight into a drivers journey after a road traffic incident, showing the complexity of living with the consequences of what happened, while highlighting the importance of having support when facing the emotional and personal impact that can follow.

Kirsty’s Story | Driver