Being involved in a road traffic accident can be a massive disruption to your life. Once you get past the initial stages of the accident and begin to pick up the pieces, what happens next? Especially if you have suffered massive injuries, experienced excessive damage to your car and your life, and are now finding a new normal as you move through this period.
Regrettably, if you’ve been in a car accident, you’re part of a large community; on average, over 7,500 people are injured in road traffic accidents every single day on US roads. Statistics show that the average driver can expect to be in 3-4 accidents in their lifetime, varying in severity. You are not alone in this experience. It’s a shared journey that many have walked before, and many will walk after.
However, if the accident was severe, it’s unlikely you’re going to need time to process what has happened and move forward with your life. These tips can help you to start processing the accident and getting back to normal as much as possible.
Talk To Your Insurance Company
If you haven’t already, you need to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. In the heat of the moment, it’s only you who had other things going on that took priority, i.e., getting medical treatment, arranging for your vehicle to be recovered, etc.
However, providing as much information to your insurance company as soon as possible is vital to help you start the process of claiming for damages or having them claim against you if you were at fault. Either way, you need to inform them. Have your police reference number ready and images or videos you or others took of damage to cars or people involved. You need the details of what happened and any other involved parties or witnesses for your insurance company to make a more informed decision regarding claims and payouts.
Ensure you fill out any paperwork or submit evidence promptly to avoid missing anything or having your claim rejected. Be honest and thorough, and follow all instructions your insurance company gives to help your claim be accepted.
In addition, it can be advisable to talk to a personal injury lawyer who can assist you in getting any compensation you might be entitled to, especially if your insurance company isn’t doing so on your behalf. A lawyer can also help you navigate any legal issues that may arise from the accident, ensuring your rights are protected.
Get Repairs
Getting your auto repaired or assessed to see if it’s salvageable is essential so you know where you stand. Working with a recommended auto body repair shop, either via friends or family or your insurance company, can help you uncover the vehicle’s damage and condition, help you understand the remedial work involved, and how long it will be off the road if it is repairable.
Having this sorted as soon as possible is vital so you can work towards getting your vehicle back on the road or recovering as soon as possible. Plus, the more information you can give to your insurance company, especially if you need their payout to afford the repairs, the faster the process will be and give you a clever picture of what is happening and what you can expect.
Follow Recovery Instructions
If you have received medical treatment post-accident, then it’s essential for your own sake that you follow instructions given to you to assist you in making a full recovery. It can be tempting, especially in cases of minor injuries, to get on with things, but issues can arise days post-auto accident that you might not be aware of. Your medical care team will take this into account, so it’s imperative that you follow treatment plans to assist you in restoring to full health, however long that might be.
Get Mental Health Help
While it’s pretty commonplace for you to get medical treatment for any physical injuries you might sustain, following directives set out by your care providers can help you make a faster physical recovery.
But what many people underestimate is the mental effects being in a car accident can have. Road traffic collision PTSD following a collision is a genuine possibility, and each person will interpret what has happened and process it differently. You might not feel safe on the roads anymore, so avoid driving so as not to experience this again. You might fear certain routes and certain vehicles, or you might find that you are experiencing nightmares and flashbacks. How the crash affects you in days or weeks afterward cannot be determined, and mental health issues can and will manifest in different ways.
Of course, not everyone will react to negatively post-accident, and some people are able to shake it off and live as normal; however, if you don’t or didn’t, getting mental health support is key assist you in overcoming any issues you may be experiencing that are impacting your quality of life. Talk to your doctor and find a therapist who is an expert in situations like yours to get the right support and develop tools and techniques to help you overcome the accident and then mark it left on you.
Prioritise Self Care
You do not have to bounce back instantly if you can’t or even just need to take some to come to terms with your accident. There is no recovery timeline you need to adhere to, no matter what others say. However, one thing that can be massively beneficial during your recovery is to take time out for yourself and treat yourself to some self-care. This could be as simple as taking a long bath, going for a walk, or spending time with loved ones.
Allow yourself the time to rest, recuperate, and recharge your batteries; allow yourself the time to work through anything you need to and feel all of your feelings; don’t bottle them up for fear of upsetting others or thinking you need to put a brave face on. Even smaller fender benders can knock people for six, and whether you were hardly injured, walking wounded, or more seriously hurt, the experience as a whole can be deeply upsetting, so be kind to yourself. It’s okay to feel the way you do, and it’s okay to take your time to process the experience.
Talk To People
Talking about how you’re coping and feeling can be extremely beneficial during recovery. Don’t feel like you’re bothering others unnecessarily. If you need to express yourself, you should feel free to do so. Whether it’s keeping your boss informed so they know when to expect you back to work or advising of any accommodations you might need temporarily or permanently, it is a good idea to communicate what you might need if this is applicable.
Talk to family members and friends if things are worrying you or concerning about your recovery or even having them help with the process of working through making insurance claims, etc., bottling up your feelings and trying to cope on your own when you need help will only make things a million times more difficult than they need to be.
Express yourself, involve others in your recovery, and be aware of your own needs, limitations, and path of recovery for improved rehabilitation.
Being as proactive in your own recovery as you can be post-accident can be massively beneficial in many ways. Ultimately, once the crash happens, you have received medical treatment for any injuries and are past the initial stages; the focus should be on getting you back on track. Not everyone will need to follow all of these points; however, for those who are impacted by the events that transpired that day on the roads, understanding what you need and what you can do to enhance your recovery can help you make sense of the accident and work towards getting life back on an even keel.
