According to WHO, about 1.35 million people die from car accidents annually costing the globe about 3% of the gross domestic product.
In the US, the average number of car accidents stands at six million yearly, with over 4.4 million of these causing serious injury requiring medical attention. The cost to the economy is estimated at a whopping $871 billion.
And in Australia, over 30,000 people were hospitalized with severe road crash injuries in 2017-2018. This year, the month of September alone saw 81 people die due to road accidents.
As you can see from the statistics above, car accidents are a major issue and we are all likely to be affected, or know someone who has been involved in one.
The next question after being involved in a car accident becomes: How can we get started on our recovery journey?
How can we recover after being involved in an accident?
Recovering from a car accident depends on multiple factors. The severity of the injuries, the overall health of the victim, how your body reacts to various forms of treatment and how well you follow the recommendations from your health care providers.
We can all agree that we want to recover and get back to our lives as soon as possible. Here are some tips and expert advice to make your recovery faster and smoother.
1. Doctor’s recommendations and instructions are essential
When you are involved in an accident, the first people at the scene will call the emergency services who will rush you to the ER.
Why?
Because your best chance of survival or minimizing your injuries is at the hands of a qualified and experienced trauma doctor.
Many do not seek medical help when they escape a car accident with minor or no injuries, they assume they are fine. But it’s always advisable to visit the ER after an accident, no matter how minor, as you may be suffering from internal injuries, which can only be diagnosed by a trained medical professional.
When you go to a hospital after the car accident, the doctor will examine you and prescribe the next course of action. Depending on their opinion, you may be observed for a few hours and sent on your way or you may be admitted for a few days for observation.
Should you have more severe injuries, you may require a longer stay and multiple doctors, including surgeons, medical specialists and therapists to attend to you.
Regardless of your condition, it is essential to follow the advice of your doctors to the letter. They have the experience and know-how from attending to many accident victims and know what is likely to work well for you, based on their prior observations.
2. Visit a chiropractor
Sometimes, it may take you days, weeks, or even months to start experiencing pains after a car accident.
While most people believe in surgery or drugs as a way of alleviating the pain, and indeed, they should, it’s important to explore less invasive and inexpensive alternatives such as chiropractic care.
Chiropractors are trained medical professionals who specialize in nervous systems and musculoskeletal disorders. They use a hands-on approach to diagnose and treat these disorders. A chiropractor will often conduct a full body evaluation to identify issues like torn muscles and ligaments that often go unnoticed.
The main reason why you need chiropractic treatment is to alleviate long-term pain. Many people will have lingering pain for many years after the car accident and this can create issues such as dependency on pain medications.
A good chiropractor can help you to manage your pain and improve function. However, make sure you go for a well-trained, experienced, and licenced chiropractor.
3. Check on your diet
Your body needs extra nutrition to repair itself from the wounds and injuries sustained after the car accident. You may have lost a lot of blood, and the only way to regain it is to eat healthy foods and supplements.
Foods rich in proteins will help your body regain muscle mass. Fruits and vegetables will lower your inflammation rate.
You will also need to stay hydrated throughout the healing process as water is essential during the repair of damaged tissues.
You can consult a nutritionist as well to help you come up with a recovery diet plan.
4. Let your body rest
The more your body works, the longer your recovery will take. But when you rest, your body focuses on one thing – repairing the damaged parts.
Speak to your employer about your situation so you can get some time off work to recover.
So don’t be in a hurry to get out of bed and start driving, getting back to the gym or doing your daily load of chores. Get help with your kids, housework, and other taxing chores.
5. Start exercising, slowly
While it is good to keep your body at rest during the entire recovery process, it is advisable to incorporate simple exercises.
However, before you begin any exercise routine, consult with your doctor to recommend the best exercise. You don’t want to start exercising before your body is ready. Once the doctor approves, begin with simple exercises. Simple stretches are a good start.
Consider working with a physical therapist to help you recover. They have the knowledge and equipment required to speed up your recovery process.
Massage therapy is also a great addition to light exercise for quicker healing. If done well, it reduces muscle spasms, improves range of motion and enhances blood circulation to your body, especially to the injured parts. There are multiple approaches to massage therapy depending on your health situation.
6. Take care of your psychological health
After a car accident, we focus more on physical health and forget the mental health of the victims.
After an accident, you may never be the same. The ordeal can create a trauma that haunts you throughout your entire life. Some victims experience recurring nightmares, while others may have a fear of driving. Some never drive again – not because they are physically unfit, but because of the traumatic experience.
Other psychological traumas that a car accident victim is likely to face include depression, difficulty sleeping, emotional outbursts, and severe anxiety, among others – all of which are normal.
Trauma prolongs your recovery, if left untreated. Consult a mental health professional to help you deal with trauma.
7. Don’t keep it all to yourself
Your family and friends can be there during your recovery process. But they can’t read what is in your mind.
Let them know how you are feeling and what is in your mind at the moment and don’t shy away from talking about the incident.
If there were many of you in the accident, don’t blame each other for the incident – instead, try to encourage and uplift one another, you can form a support group.
Letting others in aid in your healing process.
8. Take your time
Recovering fully from a car accident takes time.
Yes, you want to get back on your feet and continue with your daily activities as soon as possible, but you must be patient with yourself. Physical and mental wounds need time and care to heal.
9. Take care of the official stuff
After your car accident, you may need to deal with law enforcement officers, insurance companies, and court documents.
Lawyers, like the car accident lawyers of New Jersey, will help you acquire your doctor’s medical report to help you file a lawsuit after the accident and also to get the necessary compensation from your insurance.
Conclusion
Recovering from a car accident, especially if you had severe injuries, can be a slow and frustrating process. However, if you take good care of your body, eat well, and stay hydrated, work with the right professionals, take care of your mental health and let your family and friends in, your recovery process will be much smoother and faster. But most of all, be patient, recovery takes time.
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