Last Updated on February 29, 2024
Being involved in a traumatic car accident can set you up for physical, mental, and emotional turmoil for years to come. The good news is, that you don’t need to suffer from a permanent decline in the quality of your life.
With the right strategies and a committed mindset, you can return to normal life after a traumatic car accident.
Financial Recovery
Let’s start by looking at your financial recovery. Car accidents can be expensive, not just because they cause damage and harm to individuals, but also because they can put you out of work.
Talk to a lawyer.
Immediately after your car accident, you should talk to a lawyer. Your lawyer will guide you on whether it makes sense to accept your insurance offer and whether you should press charges against the person responsible for the accident. Together with your lawyer, you can push her a bigger payout, covering all your expenses and then some.
Secure pre-settlement funding.
Pre-settlement funding is a financial product designed to make it easier for victims of car accidents and personal injuries to get access to cash. You’ll get the money upfront, and when you receive a settlement, you’ll pay the money back plus an additional fee. If you don’t receive a settlement, you won’t have to pay the money back.
Establish a budget.
Even if you have pre-settlement funding, it’s a good idea to establish a strict budget for yourself, especially if you’re currently out of work. Try to avoid unnecessary spending for the time being.
Find a new way to generate revenue.
It’s also helpful to seek new ways of generating income for yourself. Even if you can’t be physically active at the moment, you can participate in side gigs online to make some extra money.
Physical Recovery
What about your physical recovery? Traumatic car accidents could leave you with permanent damage or fleeting scrapes and bruises. But no matter what, you’ll want to do the following:
Attend all your appointments.
Even if you’re nervous about making ends meet, it’s important to attend all your medical appointments and follow-up appointments. Ideally, you’ll be receiving compensation for all these appointments; this is also the best way to maximize your chances of a quick recovery.
Comply with all medical advice.
Comply with any and all medical advice you receive. This may require you to attend physical therapy, try new therapeutic techniques, or do certain exercises at home.
Experiment with pain relief strategies.
For patients experiencing chronic or persistent pain, pain relief becomes the number one priority. Consider experimenting with many different pain relief strategies, so you can find the best combination of tactics for your life.
Stay active.
Unless you’re explicitly guided otherwise by a medical professional, try to stay active. Light to moderate exercise stimulates blood flow and keeps you healthier and happier; even a short walk around your neighborhood can have lasting benefits.
Mental and Emotional Recovery
Now let’s talk about your mental and emotional recovery, which is arguably the hardest aspect of your recovery.
Practice mindfulness.
Mindfulness meditation is a technique designed to help you focus on the present moment, rather than the traumatic past or the uncertain future. It can help you relax, relieve stress, and find gratitude in even your most difficult moments.
Find rewarding hobbies.
Rewarding hobbies can take your mind off your injuries and help you focus on more productive things. There are practically infinite hobbies to choose from, so find something that genuinely appeals to you.
Talk to your friends and family members.
You’re going to need a lot of support during this difficult time, so lean on your friends and family members. Speak honestly about what you’re thinking and feeling and let them know how they can support you.
Use exposure therapy.
Exposure therapy is frequently used in anxiety management. If you’re still feeling uncomfortable or uncertain around vehicles, reintroduce yourself to vehicles one baby step at a time. For example, you can start by simply being in the same room as a car, then sit in a stationary car in the passenger seat with the door open. Once you’re comfortable with that, you can sit in a car with the doors closed, and then go for a brief ride. Build your tolerance gradually from there.
Nobody expects you to return to normal life the next week, or even the next month after your car accident. Depending on the extent of your injuries and the severity of the accident itself, it could take you years, or even decades to make a complete recovery.
But a complete recovery is possible in the vast majority of cases, as long as you’re committed to getting better.