Speeding car victim cannot put away the pain

Dubai: A 35-year-old Filipina keeps her eyes tightly shut when she sees a speeding vehicle on the road or comes across one on the television screen - it reminds her of the tragic road accident that almost killed her.

"I have trouble sleeping," said Myleen Bautista a mother of two. What seemed like another ordinary day filled with mundane tasks, turned into a fatal one.

She was hit by a speeding car while waiting on a service road to catch the office van, which picks her up and drops her at her workplace.

Myleen was hurled into the air before landing on the rear windshield of the speeding car. She was admitted to Rashid hospital with head injuries.

A medical examination revealed that she had subarachnoidal bleeding [a smear of blood in the brain], fractures to the left clavicle and a broken pelvic bone.

She left hospital on January 29 on crutches and will require another four months of physiotherapy.

"The accident happened on the morning of January 3 on one of the service roads on Shaikh Zayed road. I recollect getting hit but I don't remember what happened after. I opened my eyes at hospital after four days. I'm still in pain and I am not able to walk properly.

"I haven't gone to work and will not be able to for another four months. This has put a financial strain on my family. I work as ... a customer care representative at a showroom and earn Dh3,200.

"The management at my office has ... been kind enough. They paid me January's salary in full. My main fear is for the coming months. My children's school year will begin in the Philippines," said Myleen.

A case has been filed against the driver and Myleen's only hope is to get a fair compensation.

Have your say
Do you think people involved in traffic accidents and found guilty should face non-bailable sentences? What more can be done for people to drive safer? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com

A member of my family has been through the same, these careless drivers should be punished as an example.
Mona
Dubai,UAE
Posted: February 29, 2008, 12:21

The motorist should have at least helped her financially to support her children. And I could not imagine that the motorist who did this to her is still out there and living a normal life like nothing happened. Imagine the speed of this motorist on the SERVICE ROAD. It only shows that this Indian lady motorist who hit her is violating against the speed limit allowed for the service road. This lady should be behind bars and penalised for what happened.
RAB
Deira,UAE
Posted: February 29, 2008, 12:03

If it is really an accident, a fair trial is needed, in fairness for both parties. Anyway, there is an insurance cover for all vehicles that they could claim in case of accidents. And insurance companies here settle fast in case of any claims.
Kiko
Deira,UAE
Posted: February 29, 2008, 09:30

With the way things are going, I think they should carry a death sentence for those guilty of such fatal actions. It is probably the most effective way to prevent those who are recklessly ignoring the law.
Ahmad
London,UK
Posted: February 29, 2008, 02:21