Whether you’re involved in a minor collision, a fender bender or a more serious car crash, an incident involving your car always comes as a shock. Whether it’s a physical injury, lasting mental scarring or resultant anxiety about driving again, the ramifications of a car accident can last a surprisingly long time.
In those first few days following a car crash occurring, it’s vital you take care of yourself so you can bounce back, physically and mentally, as quickly as possible. With that in mind, here are 5 ways to look after your wellbeing after an accident.
VISIT THE HOSPITAL
Whether you have a bruise or a broken bone, whiplash or joint trauma, your injuries will need to be looked at by professionals. This isn’t something you want to ignore, so visit a hospital A&E room as soon as possible and get evaluated by a doctor. They will be able to recommend therapies and offer a timeline for recovery. What’s more, a medical report obtained shortly after the crash may be required for any insurance claims.
GET SUPPORT
You’ll need emotional support from loved ones after an accident. Though you may be itching to get back on the road, it’s more important that you take care of yourself and allow time to recover physically and mentally after an accident. If you’ve been injured after the accident, then you should make sure that you’ve fully recovered before starting up that ignition. Speak to friends and family, and be open about any anxiety you might be suffering from as a result of your accident; their support will be invaluable during your recovery. A problem shared is a problem halved, and all that.
GET YOUR DOCUMENTATION SORTED
While you may still be in shock after your crash, there are some practical things you need to look after in the moments and days following the incident. Once these are taken care of, you can start focusing on your wellbeing.
First of all, it’s absolutely essential that in any kind of car accident you contact the police. This is not only because they can help sort out the details of what is happening at the time, but it’s also because they’ll create an official police report, which will help with your insurance and stand you in good stead in a court of law.
There’s no denying the value that photographs can bring to the motor vehicle accident case, so make sure you’re captured as many as possible. Think about photographing the damage to both your car and the damage of the other vehicle for posterity’s sake. Don’t forget to include the vehicle registration plate and the surrounding area where the accident has taken place. While not always possible, try and get the name of the other drivers and pictures of their license. You need clear and crisp images which clearly display what happened; blurry photos just aren’t going to cut it.
On top of that, do check out our article on how to strengthen your road traffic accident claim for more information on the subject.
HIRE A LAWYER
One of the most stressful parts of any accident is dealing with damages, insurance claims and potentially being taken to court. All this stress, of course, will do no good for your wellbeing. Instead of dealing with it all yourself, consider hiring a personal-injury or car accident lawyer who can help you with the paperwork and legal proceedings going forward.
Always make sure you’re getting yourself a lawyer and legal firm ready to serve injured crash victims, as specialists will be far more adept at detailing which reports or anything else you need, helping to take the load off your shoulders so you can concentrate on getting better.
LOOK AFTER YOUR MIND
If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to get the treatment you need to make a full recovery, especially if you have any physical injuries that need attending to. However, while many people focus on the physical and financial difficulties, the mental health implications are often overlooked. Many people suffer from PTSD following an accident.
After an accident, whether you have been involved or not, there will be aspects to emotionally process and think about. You will either be processing your own emotions and negative feelings about what has occurred, or will be caring or looking after somebody who themselves has suffered. Regardless of what situation applies to you, you may find your priorities and perspective will change slightly, and it’s vital to emotionally process what has occurred so that you can move on from it in the right way and not be dragged down by it.
As we discuss the importance of looking after your mind following a car accident, it’s also pertinent to acknowledge that mental health care is equally important for those who have witnessed or been involved in incidents due to common causes of industrial accidents. The psychological effects can be profound, and addressing them is a key component of the recovery process.
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries, always consult your GP first*