Crash survivor’s message to TikTokkers

Jondy Ariban has always been known as the one who would protect his mates from harm.

Now the Beaconsfield 21-year-old is learning to let his mates look after him, as he recovers from a shocking head-on collision in February, which resulted in his left leg being amputated to save his life.

“I was the back middle passenger driving with friends to San Remo at about 12.30am to meet with more friends from work. I can’t remember much from the accident. My leg was crushed, my kidneys were injured and my spinal cord was severed. It was awful waking up in hospital after being in a coma for 10 days. When I found out my left leg was gone, I couldn’t believe it,” Mr Ariban said.

“At first I didn’t want my friends to visit. I was scared to tell them. Previously it would be me looking out for them. It was hard for me to tell them about what happened. Losing my leg was really hard for me to accept. It became easier when I could see they understood what I had been through.”

So far, he has required more than 10 surgeries, suffered a head injury, kidney failure, significant blood loss and required colostomy and urology bags for months. Jondy celebrated his 21st birthday in hospital.

“I was really upset when I heard I couldn’t stand up by myself. I have heard of people losing their leg and being able to stand on the other leg. My situation is different. I still can’t feel my right foot and my ankle it is really weak,” he said.

Desperate to get back to work as a chef’s hand, Jondy is looking forward to receiving his prosthetic leg and hopefully learning to walk again. One of six siblings, Jondy is thankful to be cared for by his Mum, a nurse, who also care for twin toddlers. Jondy wants other young people to know they should take care of each other when driving together.

“I have seen a lot of teenagers post on Instagram or social media, sharing videos of themselves driving dangerously and racing. Please don’t do that. They don’t know what it’s like to survive an accident and be in hospital for five or six months alone. I have all of this uncertainty ahead of me. It’s really hard,” Jondy said.

“They have a family waiting for them to come home. Please be careful and don’t do anything stupid behind the wheel. I am still in a lot of pain everywhere. The back pain has been really bad. Mentally, I’m okay at the moment but it was very hard in the beginning. You have to accept the fact you don’t have a leg anymore. Take care of your friends and family and take care of each other.”

Slater and Gordon Road Injury Lawyer Madeleine Clark said young people who are involved in car accidents often had limited knowledge of their legal rights and ability to access compensation to cover loss of wages and medical costs.

“Many young people do not know that the claim is against the Transport Accident Commission’s insurer, and that their legal rights are available to them because they pay their car rego annually. This means they are insured in the event they’re injured in an accident. Family and friends who have lost loved ones on the road are also eligible to make a claim,” she said.

“Medical costs, physical therapy, travel and loss of wages can really add up, if you are injured and cannot work. Injured road users may have difficulty navigating the TAC scheme, so it is important to get independent advice to make sure you are accessing all of the entitlements available when you make a claim.”

Ms Clark said drivers found to be speeding or driving dangerously who were injured in accidents could potentially face reduced entitlements when making a road injury claim.

“Your right to bring a negligence claim against the TAC as the insurer, is dependent on many factors. Road users who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol will have their rights significantly impacted when bringing about a claim for compensation. Nevertheless, it is always worth investigating your legal rights whatever the situation is, even if you are in the wrong,” she said.

“In Victoria, it is important to note that we have no-fault benefits incorporated into the TAC Scheme where every road user who pays registration is covered by the TAC if they suffer permanent injuries.”