Car accidents are serious, traumatic events. And while you dedicate your driving career to trying to avoid serious collisions, chances are you’ll be involved in some type of accident during your lifetime. Some car accidents are simple and easy to walk away from, others can create more trauma and pain. You may experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of a major traffic accident.
Traffic accidents are the leading cause of PTSD in America. If you’re experiencing lingering feelings of stress or having unexpected flashbacks to the event, you‘re not alone. You may want to consult with a doctor to find the best ways to cope with PTSD. While this may seem like a long journey ahead, with the right people and tools behind you, you’re sure to find peace again.
Post-Accident Steps
If you’ve been involved in a serious auto accident that you were not responsible for, you should consult a personal injury lawyer and consider your options. You may be owed compensation for medical bills and other personal injury claims, including costs for therapy or other treatments for PTSD. Recovering from a serious injury is difficult enough, without having to stress about a lawsuit or dealing with insurers. Find a personal injury attorney who will fight for you. According to an accident attorney in Orange County, you are owed maximum compensation for the medical treatment required after a car accident due to negligence or distraction. Let experts take your case and help you cope with your trauma by taking the stress away.
Talk about it.
Being in an accident can make you feel scared, isolated, and out of control. These are just a few of the emotions that lead to a more constant feeling of fear that is PTSD. Especially if you have a history of trauma or mental health issues within your family, a life-threatening event can affect you more dramatically. But emotions fester and take over when they’re left in the dark to stew. Talking about your experience can help you to overcome it. By taking over the dialogue, you get to be in control again. You need to piece together what actually happened, find meaning in it, and realize you are more than the trauma you experienced. Plus, once you speak up, your friends and family will be more aware that you are struggling and will be able to help more effectively.
Sometimes friends and family alone aren’t enough to truly work through your trauma. In these cases, you may want to consider seeing a counselor or therapist. You can even find therapists online so you can seek treatment in a way that will lead to success for you. A licensed therapist or psychiatrist will give you effective coping mechanisms to help you relax, work through your car accident trauma, and get back to driving safely and responsibly.
Check-in with your doctor.
Beyond your psychiatrist, you’ll also want to continue to check in with your doctor about your medical treatment. Serious accidents can cause serious injury to your head and body. Your primary care doctor can refer you to psychologists or for physical therapy treatments as well as prescribe medications if you should need any. While dealing with a traumatic event, be sure to keep checking in with the person that can help you most.
Get back on the road, safely.
When dealing with PTSD, the idea of going back to the thing that caused you pain is terrifying. For that reason, driving may be difficult for you for a while. But in a world where transportation is key, you need to be able to get back on the road. Take baby steps at first. Ride as a passenger, only drive around non-crowded neighborhoods, and be sure to avoid all distractions. You know what it feels like to be in a dangerous accident, so avoid talking, texting, or eating while driving and be sure you’re always wearing your seatbelt. Control what you can control and be sure you’re driving as safely as possible at all times.
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