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Approaches to Help Cope after a Serious Personal Injury

2013-01-21, edited on: 2013-01-21

The legislation surrounding personal injury is broadly covered, however the health impacts can often be overlooked, so this posts helps provide a brief overview of what measures an personal injury claimant can take ensuring their health and mind is maintained.

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A car crash, no matter how big or small can leave your shocked, shaken and deeply upset. For some, it can be difficult to move on and get on with their everyday life, work and chores. If your mind keeps replaying events or if bad memories surface at inconvenient times, it is not hard to see how or why this can happen.

A car accident is a traumatic event and even if you have no significant physical injuries, it can have a big impact on you emotionally. If you have been left with an injury or even a disability, things can be even worse. For many, the feelings of nervousness and anxiety will pass naturally but others will need additional support, maybe even counselling to help them recover.

Talk to someone

The most important thing to do is to deal with your emotions, don\'t try and sweep them under the carpet, or shut yourself away, withdrawing from those around you who care. It is OK and perfectly normal to feel upset, anxious, angry or any other emotion. Talk to family and/or close friends and tell them how you are feeling. They are your immediate support network and sometimes just speaking out loud about what is worrying you can have a cathartic effect.

Try and stick to a daily routine, as much as possible do what you did before your accident. This will give you a sense or normality. Obviously, if you have been injured this can be difficult, particularly if you are not able to work for a while. However, don\'t isolate yourself, keep yourself occupied and do things that you would usually do.

It is natural that things will replay in your mind and you will find yourself thinking about the accident, but don\'t allow yourself to get caught up in the \'what ifs\', this will not help. If you find yourself doing this, distract yourself by doing a chore, one which requires your attention, go and talk to a friend or neighbour about something else or put an absorbing film on.

When to seek professional help

These feelings should pass on their own but if not, you may need to talk to a professional counsellor. If you have problems completing your usual tasks either at home or work; keep replaying the accident constantly in your mind and/or have nightmares; feel unusually depressed or anxious; avoid things that remind you of the crash such as getting in a car or feel upset if you see a particular car, then it is time to seek help. Speak to your doctor about a referral to a counsellor, you may even need treatment for depression.

Some people see this as a sign of weakness, but this is far from the case. You have been through a massively traumatic event and the effects should not be underestimated. If you have been in a car crash the chances of physical injury and/or emotional distress are pretty high and the quicker you get treatment for your injuries, whatever they be, the quicker you can recover and get on with your life.

Produced by Road traffic solicitors, Hughes Carlisle who help provide informative advice relating to personal injury in an attempt to assist people, leading to a successful resolution.