I walked past a minor accident the other Saturday, and the important part was that everyone was okay.
It wasn’t a hit-and-run. One driver was clearly at fault in the rear-end collision. At least one car would need to be towed – probably both. In my mind, the checklist seemed pretty straightforward. Okay, call the police. Call a tow truck. Call your insurance company. Exchange information. Get home.
Instead, the accident was already a post in the local Facebook group, complete with photos of the crumpled vehicle and a play-by-play of what had happened. Now, photos are fine for the insurance company to see, but Facebook?
When did Facebook become part of the accident report?
This isn’t meant to criticize the people involved. After something stressful, we all react differently. But it does make me wonder how much social media has changed our instincts.
Years ago, if you were in an accident, you dealt with it. You called the people who actually needed to know. Family. Police. Insurance. Your employer if you were going to be late. Now it feels like there’s another step in the process. Take pictures for public consumption. Write a post. Hit “Publish.”
I always find myself asking the same question: Who is this post actually for?
Unless you’re asking for witnesses, road conditions, or trying to locate a missing pet after the accident, I’m never quite sure what the local Facebook group is supposed to do. They can’t tow your car, file your insurance claim, or straighten your bumper. They’ll wish you well – and that’s genuinely kind – but the people who can actually help aren’t scrolling Facebook. They’re the tow truck driver, the insurance adjuster, the police officer on scene, and maybe the body shop.
Most of the comments end up being predictable.
“Glad everyone’s okay.”
“People drive way too fast there.”
“That intersection has always been dangerous.” The intersection is fine; it’s the people who drive through it who make it dangerous.
“I almost got hit there once.” Thanks for the update.
It’s the online equivalent of drivers slowing down to look at an accident as they pass by. Human nature makes us curious, but curiosity doesn’t really help solve the problem.
Maybe that’s what social media has become. We don’t just experience events anymore; we document them in real time. Every flat tire, delayed flight, power outage, grocery store lineup, and yes, even car accidents become content for everyone else to consume.
I suppose there’s comfort in hearing from your community. People genuinely mean well when they offer kind words or ask if everyone is okay.
But I think my priorities would be a little different. If I were standing beside a car with the front end smashed in, my phone would be busy calling the insurance company, arranging a tow, figuring out how I was getting home, and maybe letting someone know I was in a car accident but am okay.
I wouldn’t post to Facebook. So, why was I on Facebook in the first place? It’s a great source of inspiration with its endless stream of posts.
Maybe that makes me old-fashioned. Or maybe I’ve just reached the point where not everything needs an audience.
Some things simply need to be handled.
Once everything is settled and you want to share the story later, that’s different. But in the moment, I can’t imagine thinking, “I should update the Facebook group.”
It’s funny how technology quietly changes our habits. Without really noticing, we’ve gone from asking, “How do I solve this?” to asking, “How do I post this?”
For me, the answer is still the same as it always was. Take care of the people, the legalities, and the car. Facebook doesn’t need to know.
johnberkovich.com 