Millions of people are involved in painful car accidents on an annual basis. If you’re one of them, knowing the proper steps to take can help you make a faster recovery.
As a result, you’ll be able to resume your normal life sooner rather than later.
4 Tips for a Speedy Car Accident Recovery
More than 6 million car accidents occur in the United States each year. Approximately 27 percent of these vehicle accidents result in non-fatal injuries. That amounts to 3 million car accident injury victims per year. These injuries range from whiplash and bruises to more serious issues like concussions and paralysis.
“The most common minor car accident injuries are most often referred to as ‘soft tissue’ damage,” AICA Orthopedics explains. “This is damage such as bruising and swelling of muscles and tendons due to the impact of the car accident.”
Broken bones, lacerations, tingling, numbness, and headaches are other physical symptoms. On top of that, there are a wide range of mental health side effects that often go undetected and untreated.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident – whether minor or serious – you need to focus on your recovery. Here are some tips that could help speed things along:
- Get Immediate Medical Attention
Don’t wait until you get home to decide whether you need to see a doctor. Whether you’re having minor discomfort or serious pain after an accident, it’s imperative that you get immediate medical attention. (Ideally, you should call EMS to the scene. However, at the very least, take a trip to the emergency room after leaving the scene.)
In many cases, symptoms won’t appear until much later (once the adrenaline from the accident wears off). By visiting a doctor as soon as possible, you can get ahead of potential issues while they’re still highly treatable.
- Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
The second step is to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you. What does this have to do with your recovery, you might ask? Well, a lot!
An attorney is going to look into your case and make negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. Their focus is on getting you the proper financial compensation so that you can pay for all of your medical bills, lost wages, and other related factors. When you get an adequate settlement, it lets you focus 100 percent of your energy on recovering well. This isn’t about being selfish – it’s about being smart.
- Follow the Doctor’s Orders
Don’t just visit the doctor to get checked out. Actually take the time to listen to what they say and follow their treatment plan. You’re a grown adult and nobody is going to do it for you. Take what they say to heart and don’t see yourself as an exception.
For example, a lot of people ignore the doctor’s advice to rest after a car accident. Instead, they’ll hustle back to work and pretend as if nothing happened. But in reality, sleep is one of the biggest keys to recovery (particularly with soft tissue injuries).
“When you sleep, your body increases blood flow to your muscles, and tissue and muscle repair and growth occur. Additionally, the levels of stress hormones in your body drop during sleep, which can help reduce internal inflammation,” Integrity Spine & Orthopedics mentions. “After an accident that causes a major injury, it’s important that you slow down and rest frequently so your body has time to heal.”
In addition to resting, be sure to eat a clean diet and stay hydrated. If you suffered a concussion or other TBI, avoid unnecessary exposure to blue light.
- Meet With a Therapist
It’s common to have an emotional response to a car accident. Common symptoms include mood swings, feelings of fear or guilt, flashbacks, depression and anxiety, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you’re experiencing any of these, you should meet with a therapist to discuss. The sooner you address these issues, the faster you’ll be able to return to the road without being fearful or hesitant.
Get Well Soon
Car accidents are complicated. And while there are legal and financial consequences, nothing matters more than your physical and emotional health. By prioritizing your recovery, you can ensure a much faster return to normalcy. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way.
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