It’s rather sobering statistics that car accidents kill more than 35,000 people in the United States each year. This comes out to about one death reported every 12 minutes. According to Amerio Law Firm, servicing the greater Sacramento area, car accident injuries technically are one small part of a larger list of road-related accidents, including:
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Auto defects
- Speeding accidents
- Reckless driving accidents
- Road defects
- Drunk driving accidents
All of these, no matter your role in causing the accident, have the potential for long-lasting effects depending on the nature of your injuries. 70% of significant injuries acquired by infant motor vehicle passengers are caused by improper installation of car seats. In some cases, you may risk losing some level of function for a long period of time or even permanently. In addition, there is also the potential for lost income if you are required to stay home from work during your recovery, or are no longer able to fulfill the functions of your job. While some of this may be out of your immediate control, there are some things you can do to help along the recovery process. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Keep Your Doctor In The Loop
Depending on your condition before your accident (especially if you are very athletic), there is going to be a temptation to try and start exercising to try and regain some of that lost function. That impulse may be noble, but it’s important not to try and go overboard. The same applies even if you don’t feel any sort of major pain or impact after your accident. Always see a doctor after an accident, as the adrenaline from the accident itself may mean that you don’t have a proper picture of the damage that has been done.
The same applies to put together a recovery routine. The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that you consult with your doctor to set up a potential exercise routine. The reason for this is that a doctor will have a better picture of your limitations, and be able to help you get active again without risking further injury. In general, if you have something you want to implement, be sure to let your doctor know.
Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health
According to statistics, around nine percent of those who survive a car accident eventually develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This has severe effects, and can soon seep into other aspects of your life. Sometimes, mental health effects can not take hold until later in the recovery process, making it difficult to look out for. Don’t be afraid to seek out a mental health professional if you start seeing regular occurrences of the following symptoms after your accident:
- Sleep loss or sleep disturbances
- Nightmares
- Weight fluctuations
- Moodiness/irritability
- Feelings of loneliness, embarrassment or of being overwhelmed
- Compulsive or obsessive behaviors
- Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
- Social withdrawal
In addition, even less severe accidents can have a mental toll if they provoke a lifestyle change. Physical activity promotes the release of endorphins; chemicals in the brain that help provide feelings of happiness. If you are regularly active but are sidelined due to an injury, your brain is now less equipped to handle the negative feelings you have about said injuries.
Be Ready Legally
While all of these tips will help you get back to normalcy, there is the concern of finances. This can include costs like surgery, prescriptions, home modifications, unpaid wages from missing work or switching jobs, as well as the losses that are more difficult to quantify like enjoyment, pain, and suffering or even disfigurement. In this case, you need to get well financially as well as mentally and physically. The main way to get well again, in this case, is pursuing legal compensation, but to do this, you will need the services of a good personal injury lawyer. Not only will a professional be able to help you determine whether you have a case worth pursuing, but they will put you in the best position possible to get the compensation you deserve.
About The Author:
Holli Turner is a health and wellness guru and blogger. She believes in a holistic approach to health and speaks out on a number of wellness issues, particularly for other women. Holli maintains several blogs on eating disorders, positive body image, fitness, and various other health-related subjects.
