Afraid To Drive After A Car Accident? Here’s How You Can Get Back On The Road
Accidents can be incredibly traumatic experiences, particularly if they involve catastrophic injury. They can be in any vehicle from a motorbike to a car, even to an 18 wheeler in which case you could look here for advice. In the wake of any accident, there’s a very good chance you might be afraid to get back on the road. That’s perfectly okay – and perfectly natural. Here’s what you can do to deal with the trauma and get back behind the wheel.
It’s easy to forget that the injuries you suffer in a car accident aren’t always physical. As with any violent incident, a car crash can be incredibly traumatic. Unfortunately, as is too often the case in our society, the psychological side of things often ends up ignored, which is debilitating, especially if it begins to affect your everyday life.
End result? Weeks (perhaps even months) after you’ve recovered from the physical injuries you suffered from your crash, it may still be taking a mental toll on you. The very thought of getting behind the wheel again could give you the shakes. It isn’t uncommon to discover that psychological effects begin to affect the way you live, your job, and other aspects of your life, which is why those who have been in car accidents usually look for monetary compensation. You will often hear about people looking to the best car accident lawyers who can help them with their claim, so they can get the compensation they need to help them get back on their feet.
The first thing you need to understand is that there’s nothing wrong with this response. It’s normal. It’s natural. And given what you’ve been through, it’s perfectly understandable. Plenty of people feel anxious and afraid after an accident.
But sometimes, those feelings don’t go away. Sometimes, they bleed over into your day-to-day life. Sometimes, you may find yourself losing sleep, growing more irritable, and reliving your crash.
These symptoms are beyond the regular response to a car accident. They’re an indicator of post-traumatic stress disorder. If you bottle them up or ignore them, they’ll only grow progressively worse. However, one thing that might help is that if your accident happened whilst you were at work, you might be able to get long-term disability insurance from somewhere like Breeze insurance. Disability insurance covers everything from a broken leg to PTSD, so if you’re struggling to get back to work as a result of the trauma, rest assured you can still get a portion of your wages paid to you whilst you recover.
Additionally, one of the most critical things you need to do in this stage is to talk, that’s it. Sit down with your friends and loved ones. Hash out how you feel and why. Sometimes, having a sympathetic ear to listen to your problems, a sympathetic shoulder to cry on is all you really need.
In some situations, some may find themselves seeking out professional help. There is nothing wrong or shameful in working with a trained mind and a professional voice to help you along.
Going to see a crisis counselor or a psychologist in the wake of a car accident doesn’t make you weak, nor does it mean there’s something wrong with you. It simply means you’re having some trouble navigating the agony you’ve suffered in the wake of your trauma. A car accident is nothing short of traumatic and it won’t hurt to receive a bit of guidance to help things get back on track.
Beyond psychological counseling, it may be worthwhile to start an exercise regimen beyond physiotherapy, assuming your accident was severe enough to require it. Your mind and body are like the engine and the exterior of a car. When one isn’t in working order, the other suffers.
Car crashes are terrifying experiences. They damage more than just our bodies, they can often leave our minds in just as bad a position It’s important that you understand and acknowledge that.
Treat yourself with care as you recover, both physically and mentally. BormasterLaw has a checklist for cautious drivers featuring five things you should do before hitting the road. Don’t feel a rush to get behind the wheel again. You’ll know when you’re ready for it and if that takes months or years, you shouldn’t feel shame. Your mental and physical health should always come first.
About the Author:
Ryan B. Bormaster is the managing attorney at Bormaster Law. The law firm practices in a number of areas but specializes in 18 Wheeler Accidents, Accidents with Commercial Vehicles such as Work Trucks and Catastrophic Injuries of all kinds.