In a life filled with uncertainties, a car accident cannot be ruled out. It’s wise to be prepared for any such unfortunate eventuality and know what to do in such cases. It takes time and effort to cope with the injuries of serious car accidents. Here are some coping strategies that you or your loved ones can use in case of becoming car accident victims with serious injuries. ~ Ed.
Did you know that 20 to 50 million people around the world suffer injuries caused by car accidents?
Oftentimes, serious car accidents cause long-term disabilities among victims. The time it takes for these injuries to heal varies based on the complexity and gravity of the impact they have on the victim’s health.
In fact, it has been found that road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among people aging between 5 to 29.
So, if you recently got into a car accident, it is important to exhaust all means to help you cope and heal in the fastest way possible.
Learn seven useful tips that will help you on the road to recovery from serious car injuries.
7 Tips for Car Accident Victims to Cope with Serious Injuries
Besides getting immediate medical treatment, you may need some therapy to heal the emotional and physical trauma, seek the support of your friends and family, and employ ways to ease out your stress.
Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
Once you get involved in a car accident, it is critical for you to seek medical treatment immediately. Sometimes it may take time before bruises, aches, and pains surface.
Even if you feel fine, it is still essential for you to get evaluated by a doctor. A medical assessment will help identify which parts of your body are seriously affected. It will also create a better medical care plan that will speed up your healing process.
The medical records of your assessment also double as an effective supporting document in building your legal case and seeking compensation from your insurance company.
Consider Seeking Therapy
Taking care of your mental and emotional wellbeing is as important as looking after your physical health.
Car accidents do not just affect you physically, they can also cause emotional trauma. If you have overwhelming emotions that are difficult to manage, experience anxiety, depression, and other forms of emotional distress, you should consider therapy.
Studies have found that car accidents are the leading cause of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among the general population. At least 9% of those who got involved in a car accident are more likely to experience PTSD.
During these times, it might be best to seek therapy to cope with the emotional and mental impact of the accident.
Hire a Lawyer
You are expected to file an ICBC claim immediately after your car accident. It might be difficult to handle this on your own, especially if you are still trying to heal and recover from your injuries.
Keep in mind that personal injury laws and insurance claims vary from one city to another. So if the car crash took place in Vancouver, for instance, the legal professionals at WarnettHallen recommend seeking legal support of a specialized local attorney as early as possible to help manage your claim quickly and efficiently. This way, you will avoid experiencing limitations with your claim and you can focus more on getting better.
Talk to Your Family and Friends
Avoidance is often a common coping mechanism among victims of car accidents. Although this may be helpful on a short-term scale, this method might do more harm than good in the long run.
To help you cope better and in healthier ways, health experts recommend that you communicate with your friends and family. A strong emotional support system is very helpful during these difficult times so take advantage of it. Don’t keep it all to yourself.
Consider Physical Therapy
If you want to speed up your recovery time, physical therapy can be a viable option. Physical therapy improves your muscles and range of movement, and it can also prevent further damage to your body.
Plus, if you are worried about relying on painkillers, physical therapy can help reduce that. A physical therapist will design a post-car accident injury treatment program appropriate for your current condition.
Depending on your injury, your physical therapist may implement techniques involving custom exercises to target certain body pains and weaknesses. He or she may also include postural training as well as manual therapy sessions. This is basically to help improve your joint mobility and alleviate discomfort as well as promote tissue healing
Practice Self-Relief Activities
You do not have to let depression and anxiety stifle your road to recovery and keep you from getting a sense of balance back in your life. If your present condition permits it, try to get back to your daily activities and routines.
It might seem daunting at first, but this is all part of your journey to recovery, however, if it gets too overwhelming feel free to take a break. You do not have to pressure yourself at all.
Alternatively, there are several hobbies and activities that you can try out to help you manage emotional distress and ease up the stress. You can start by practicing deep breathing exercises, meditation or even writing in your journal.
To identify which exercise routine or activities will not bother your injuries and can be considered safe for your current condition, consult your doctor.
Practice Self-Care
One of the most important things you should remember if you want to recover quickly is to follow your doctor’s advice and take care of yourself better. This might seem like a less important step, but do not underestimate the power of self-care as it can reap multiple benefits for your overall well being.
Simply eating a healthy and balanced diet, sleeping well, and drinking plenty of water can help boost your recovery process. If your injury will permit it, light exercises, such as yoga and other low-impact physical activities will help you feel better and heal faster.
Your body is in full recovery mode so the best way to speed up your healing is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. As much as possible, refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol, and other unhealthy habits. It is because these will weaken your immunity and potentially slow down your recovery.
Wrapping It Up
It might be hard to recover from serious car accidents, especially if you are struggling with injuries. However, it is possible to bounce back and get better.
As long as you follow the right medical care plan and exhaust all options to speed up your recovery, you will be back on your feet in no time.
Over to you
Do you know of any other coping tips that serious car accident victims can use to recover themselves? Share them in the comments to help others.
Disclaimer: We’re not offering any medical advice here. These ideas are for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always seek a professional medical opinion from a physician of your choosing before making any medical decision. The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute to the advice given by your physician or another healthcare professional.