Car accidents can have long-term, debilitating effects on one’s mental and physical health. Depending on the severity of the accident and the situation under which it occurred, the road ahead might be expensive and tedious, adding to the challenge of healing yourself. Here are some things you must do after a car accident to take care of yourself.
Schedule a Medical Appointment
Visiting your healthcare provider is a necessity for making sure you haven’t sustained any injuries that have delayed onset symptoms or severe internal injuries that present as bruising. It is also important to have your accident on file, in case the accident impacts your ability to work and if you end up seeking compensation.
If you have sustained obvious injuries at the site of the crash, call an ambulance to take you directly to the hospital rather than waiting to see your doctor.
Communicate with Your Insurance Provider
Your insurance provider is one of the first phone calls you should make after your accident. They will ask you a series of questions about the incident, determine what assistance you need at the moment, and inform you of the next steps in the process. Over the following days, you may have to speak with your insurance provider multiple times, as well as an adjuster and whoever is fixing your vehicle.
Depending on the severity of the accident, your insurance provider may launch an investigation surrounding the finer details. This is particularly true in accidents where the parties are arguing fault or the cause of the accident is ambiguous. Stay calm when being questioned and recount the incident as best as you can.
Investigate Your Legal Options
It is important to know what kind of legal repercussions there will be as a result of your accident, whether or not you were at fault. If you were not at fault, you might choose to seek compensation to help cover your medical bills and time lost at work.
You may also be eligible to receive compensation for emotional distress and pain and suffering, so you might want to contact a local lawyer, like this Houston trucking accident attorney. You might not choose to pursue damages for this experience, but it is good to know your options early on.
Contact Your Place of Work
Even with minor injuries, you may need to take a day or two off work. The muscular stiffness and discomfort in the days following the impact can be limiting, and make prolonged periods of sitting or standing unbearable. You may also be on the phone a lot, trying to get things sorted out with your insurance provider and lawyer.
If you have sustained injuries, it is important to get clearance from a medical professional before returning to work. In fact, some companies have a policy in place requiring medical clearance after an accident. This step covers you should further issues occur, as well as your work, so they aren’t found liable if your injury flares up as a result of working too soon.
Get Some Rest
In addition to the physical duress your body is under, you will likely be experiencing worry, stress, and even fear after your accident. In many cases, people have insomnia, anxiety, and PTSD after a car crash. If these symptoms of mental trauma persist, be sure to report them to your healthcare provider.
To allow your body and mind time to heal, you will need to get some rest. Resist the urge to move around too much in the days following the accident. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Ask your doctor if you should be applying heat, ice, or some combination of both to your sore muscles. You may be referred for physiotherapy to help correct these issues if they are severe.
At times like these, self-care is of the utmost importance. Remember to take things one day at a time and reach out to your support system for guidance when emotions are running high.
