SIGHTS
During: a car in one’s lane or a barrier approaching, the frightened faces of the people in the oncoming vehicle right before impact, hoods crumpling, glass fracturing, passengers being thrown forward in their seats, airbags deploying in white clouds, each moment in time cut into small flashes rather than a conscious stream
Aftermath: broken glass, the cars involved parked at odd angles, vehicles that are smashed and crumpled, the strobe of police lights, smoke and steam, chunks of twisted metal or plastic, shattered windshields, emergency vehicles (police cars, a fire truck, an ambulance, a tow truck), paramedics and firefighters kneeling beside trapped people in cars or stabilizing victims for transport, policemen with bright flak jackets (securing the scene with yellow tape, creating barricades, redirecting traffic, interviewing witnesses and taking statements), a crowd of onlookers, a rubbernecker holding up a phone to record the scene, smears of blood and bandages, pooling liquid (coolant, gas, oil), medical bags and gurneys, cars parked along the highway, deployed airbags, removed car doors lying on the pavement, air paramedics in a helicopter, fires being put out with the blast of foam extinguishers, jerky flashlight beams and car headlights lighting the scene and backlighting smoke at night, broken guardrails or snapped trees, branches scattered on the ground, signs or posts flattened, the car interior in disarray, half-flattened air bags that hide the steering wheel, blood and cuts on hands and arms, glass in one’s lap, pinned limbs, blood soaking through clothing
SOUNDS
During: tires screeching, horns blasting, brakes grinding, gasps and screams, seat belts snapping taut, the crunch of metal, glass shattering, thumps as people and objects are tossed about, the snap of trees or signs, the screech of metal sliding along a barricade
Aftermath: the hiss of liquid spilling across a hot engine, other cars skidding to avoid a collision or braking to a stop so they can help, the engine pinging as it cools, shattered glass falling to the ground as victims begin to stir, people banging on the glass and calling out to see if the victim is all right, ringing in the victim’s ears, panicked fast breaths, crying, moaning, screaming, a crackle as flames blossom, blistering paint and heating metal, coughing as toxic smoke rushes into the cab, the frantic sounds of someone trying to get out of the car, broken glass and bits of metal being ground into the asphalt as a victim slithers out of an upside-down car through a broken window
SMELLS
Spilled gasoline, burned rubber, oil and other motor fluids, smoke, blood
TASTES
Blood, tears
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
During: stiffening one’s arms against the steering wheel and pressing back into the seat, the jerk of the seat belt strap against one’s chest or hips, being tossed side to side, bashing one’s head and side against the door, the snap of a head whipping back and forth, bruising pain as one is pelted with objects inside the car (purses, bags, pets, and anything else which is loose), going stiff all over to brace for impact, a spray of chemical dust in the face as the airbag deploys, being thrust back by the force of an airbag
Aftermath: growing slowly aware of where one is and feeling numb with shock, the sensation of time running slow and thoughts fogging, disorientation, growing conscious of pain from a million cuts and bruises or a major injury point (a concussion, a pinned or broken limb, a piece of the car penetrating flesh), intense fear and worry over others who are in the car, trying to move and being unable to do so, building frustration and panic, blood dripping along one’s skin or gushing from an arterial wound, the uncontrolled shivering that accompanies shock
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
A fire starting in one of the cars
Toxic smoke filling the cab of a vehicle
Broken bones that leave a survivor immobile
Having an injured loved one (especially a child) in the backseat and being unable to reach or see them
Waking in a vehicle with dead passengers
Experiencing a car accident in a remote area with no witnesses to call for help
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
Bystanders, fire and rescue teams, media crews, paramedics, police officers, victims
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
Rural Volume: Country road
Urban Volume: Ambulance, big city street, emergency room, hospital room, police car, police station, small town street
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Minor car accidents may not involve the police or paramedics; these responders usually only are brought in if a person is hurt or the damage reaches a certain threshold. Keep in mind that the sensory detail should be tailored to the viewpoint of the narrator or point-of-view character. Also, characters will notice different things depending on who they are in the scene. A bystander will notice details about a car accident that the victim will not, and vice versa. Police officers also tend to be observant by nature and will pick up on things that others will miss.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
Mary woke in the darkness, ears ringing and thoughts dull. Where…? Smoke rolled in through a hole in the windshield and she gagged at its oily stench. She twisted, trying to get away from it, but something pinned her in place. Pain flared in her shoulder and hip, bringing with it a flash: a truck skidding, its trailer fishtailing into her lane, the map of terror on the driver’s face as his rig slid close. Her foot punching the brake, a scream ripping at her ears. A car accident. She tried to call for help, but all that came out was a sob.
Techniques and Devices Used: Light and shadow, metaphor, multisensory descriptions, tension and conflict
Resulting Effects: Establishing mood, hinting at backstory, reinforcing emotion