A vehicular accident can be a traumatizing experience. Even if luck is on your side and you’re not seriously hurt, being involved in a crash can leave you feeling shaken for days.
If you do incur injuries, it’s going to take a while for your body to recover, your peace of mind to be restored, and your life to get back to normal. Luckily, there are some ways you might be able speed the process along, or at the very least help everything get resolved a bit more smoothly.
Get Medical Attention — Even If You Don’t Think It’s Warranted
When you can walk away from an accident with only a few bumps and bruises, you should count yourself blessed — but you should also get yourself checked out anyway. There are many types of injuries that aren’t immediately apparent: whiplash is the classic delayed-onset consequence of a car crash, but knee pain, issues with your back or neck, and concussions or traumatic brain injury can all go unnoticed in the wake of the accident. It might not be until weeks later that you start experiencing symptoms.
Visiting your doctor or an urgent care clinic is a smart decision, not only to make sure that you’re in the clear, health-wise, but also to establish a paper trail in the event that you take legal action down the line. Even if that possibility seems slim now, you just never know how things may unfold — so take the time to get a medical examination as soon as possible after the accident.
Respect the Process of Recovery
Trauma can have pervasive, profound effects on one’s well-being — and yet it’s not unusual for these effects to fly under the radar. You might experience issues like insomnia, mood swings, depression, or anxiety. A serious accident can be a wake-up call, prompting some people to radically change their lifestyle, seize the day, and be more present.
Give yourself the necessary time to recover. While friends and family members might pressure you to “get back up on the horse” or simply to get back to work, it’s important to go at your own pace. Pushing yourself too hard, either emotionally or physically, can backfire and ultimately do you more harm than good.
Take Steps to Take Care of Yourself
As in any challenging or stressful situation, you want to be extra conscientious when it comes to self-care. Make the effort to eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Get plenty of rest, and don’t be surprised if it seems like you need a bit more sleep than usual.
If you suffered an injury as a result of your accident, follow your doctor’s instructions regarding exercise. It might benefit you to schedule a few sessions with a physical therapist. Otherwise, continue your usual exercise habits. Remember that working out is a fantastic way to counter the extra stress that often occurs in the wake of trauma.
Talk Therapy Can Be Helpful Too
Particularly if you see signs of the emotional issues mentioned above — anxiety, panic attacks, depression, irritability or irrational anger, sudden or inexplicable mood swings — consider seeing a therapist. This could be a psychotherapist, licensed social worker or counselor, or even a clergy member.
Whatever degrees on his or her walls, seeing a professional will help you to process feelings of anger, sadness, grief, fear, guilt, anxiety that frequently crop up for those who have been in a crash.
Should You Secure an Attorney’s Services?
There are some accidents that are clear-cut or simply not worth litigation. Others smack of negligence, and you will definitely want to hire a lawyer to help you navigate legal channels in order to be made whole again.
These are the outliers, however, and many vehicular accidents aren’t so easy to pigeonhole. In those cases, experts advise consulting a lawyer to see if your case may have merit.
“Initial consultations with personal injury lawyers are complimentary,” explains Mark Rees of https://www.markreeslaw.com/ar/jonesboro-truck-accident-lawyer/. “There’s no obligation, either, so speaking with an attorney won’t cost you anything but an hour or so of your time.”
Final Thoughts on How to Make a Full Recovery
The aftershock of any accident is one of the common threads running though. The circumstances in which you find yourself now are temporary. Your physical injuries will heal, you’ll overcome the traumatic emotional impact, and one day you’ll realize that your car crash is now a closed chapter and you are able to move forward.
In the meantime, take care of your physical and emotional health, visit your doctor regularly, contact an attorney for advice, and give yourself the time and space you need to heal.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
