I have had a very similar experience. I still avoid driving whwnever I can. A different take on what your father said, I think a car accident is just another, fairly common, lesson in how to drive. It can be true both that almost everyone has had an accident AND that being in an accident can be traumatic and very off-putting. Your feelings are absolutely valid. Sadly, in the U.S., being able to drive is more or less required to be able to participate in pretty much anything.

Ultimately, my crash drove me to be a much more careful and aware driver, and while I still hate to drive, looking back I think being in an accident was probably inevitable for me. I don’t know where I’m going with this, I can’t give advice or anything, just wanted to share.