To feel very shaken by tree falling on car even though I’m unhurt?

[Lis1992]

Feel a bit silly because I wasn’t hurt and I’m so grateful! Today as I parked the car in work, a large tree broke off ( a massive branch so basically a tree and multiple other large branches with it). It hit my car just as I parked. It was terrifying- never heard a noise like it. Felt my car sink down with the impact. It hit roof and side of car. I’m in Ireland we had a red weather warning for wind.
Obviously didn’t travel during- work was open after. So it wasn’t warning time but obviously tree weakened by red level warning which expired two hours before!! AIBU to still feel very shaken about driving to work tomorrow? And in general? I feel traumatised!! A few centimetres the other side and it could have been me.

Woah😳 that’s scary, no wonder you’re shaken up! Glad to hear you wasn’t hurt. Was anyone near to see if you were okay?

I think that would've shaken most people!

I was panicky about trees coming down in the wind just completely hypothetically. YANBU to be completely traumatised by that. I hope you feel better soon, I'm anxious just reading about your experience and I'm not an anxious individual generally.

YANBU!! How scary for you. If you can, take some time to talk to someone about it and to relax tonight.

Also buy a lottery ticket!

I have had proper shock after someone ran into me at a zebra crossing at abou 5 miles an hour so I think you are absolutely justified in being shaken! I would go home and stay home and drink sweet tea and watch Rom come, and give yourself time to recover.

I think most people would be very shaken by that! Thank goodness it didn't hit you. Is your car badly damaged?

You poor thing. That must have been absolutely terrifying. It’s going to take a bit of time to calm down after that.
I think you need to give yourself a bit of time to process it, but then get back in the saddle. Driving isn’t the reason you had that experience. It could have also happened if you were walking or cycling - with much more serious consequences.
I would probably do a couple of days of public transport while you get over it. And have a stiff drink.

I’m so glad you’re ok. what a narrow escape. I had one as a child and I still get sweaty hands thinking about it. It’s normal though

That's really scary 💐 understandably you would be shaken

(I'm in Ireland too; the sudden gusts were very strong & would take you unawares).

Hope you're doing better now.

YANBU at all, that's a terrifying thing to happen. I have an acquaintance who lost her son when a tree fell on his car in a storm just a couple of years ago, it was so utterly tragic and shocking. I'm glad you weren't hurt.

I was driving a few years ago in a thunderstorm and lightning struck the road right in front of me. It was very scary. YANBU.

It was a very scary situation.

Please don’t feel like you can’t be upset and shaken by it.

People might say ‘oh but it could have been worse’. Or ‘you were lucky.’ When people say that they are essentially trying to put distance between you and the situation. This doesn’t help anyone.

Feel your feelings on it, don’t brush it off, it was a big deal.

Many years ago I made a split second decision. If I'd have chosen the alternative option (where to get breakfast) I'd have been blown up by an IRA bomb. The realisation that you've come so close to serious injury or death is definitely traumatising. All the "what ifs" go through your head.

Did it write your car off? Would your work be sympathetic to you taking a day to get over the shock of what's happened?

Yanbu, that is scary! It happened to my husband last year, massive one fell right in front of his car. I still drive past the stump and shudder. Literally seconds later and how different things could be right now.
It will take time to stop feeling panicked about this brush. I worried about him driving and me driving for a long time after. One thing that helped was thinking about all the journeys we've done without anything happening at all. Hope you're alright, glad you're safe OP

@Cherryana Thank you so much for saying this. It makes my feelings feel more validated! I could have died and that’s the reality. If it was windscreen or I was out of car.

@Vetoncall I am so sorry to hear that. That is absolutely tragic; May he rest in peace

I've seen huge trees fall close by as well as large branches and the cracking sound and the noise of the fall is extremely jarring.

The fact that you were in the car is enough to make anyone's nerves feel frazzled!

I'm glad you are ok.