7 Ways to Get Over Car Accident Trauma

Serious car accidents often cause emotional injuries that can last well beyond the effects of the crash and physical injuries. This could include anxiety, nightmares, fear of driving, and even PTSD. For some, the emotional distress can seem overwhelming. 

If you struggle with your mental and emotional health after a car accident, you are not alone. As Boca Raton car accident lawyers, we talk to victims struggling to overcome this type of injury regularly. Consider these seven ways to prioritize your emotional healing after a crash:

1. Acknowledge That What You Are Feeling Is Normal

One of the first steps to healing is recognizing that it is normal to feel shaken, afraid, or numb after a crash. Some common things that victims could experience include: 

• Anxiety when thinking about the accident
• Flashbacks or nightmares about the crash
• Fear of driving or even riding in a car
• Irritability, depression, or trouble sleeping

These symptoms are not unusual, especially after a serious crash. While they will likely fade with time, there is no reason to try to tough it out or keep these feelings hidden. This can make the experience worse. You should give yourself permission to feel what you feel and know that it is only normal.

2. Seek Professional Mental Health Support If Symptoms Persist

When a car accident causes life-altering injuries or someone passes away, it is more likely to lead to conditions such as anxiety or PTSD. However, any type of crash could lead to these mental health conditions. If your symptoms continue for more than a few weeks or interfere with your daily life, you should make an appointment with a mental health professional. A licensed therapist or counselor may provide: 

• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure therapy to help you gradually feel safe in a car again
• Mindfulness and relaxation strategies

For many, seeking therapy early prevents or treats these conditions, allowing them to return to their previous activities as soon as possible. 

3. Talk About the Accident With Trusted Friends and Family

While you should not post about your accident on social media or talk to strangers, you should not keep your feelings bottled up inside you, either. Talking to those you trust about the accident and your feelings can help. This could include friends, family members, or a therapist. 

You may feel better if you discuss the facts of the crash and how you feel about what happened. You may even see benefits from writing about your feelings in a private journal if you are not feeling up to talking about them yet. 

4. Get Back Behind the Wheel Gradually

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, many people experience mental health concerns after a crash. This includes: 

• Up to 22.25 percent experience PTSD
• Up to 60 percent experience anxiety
• Up to 63 percent experience depressive symptoms

However, you do not want to avoid the driver’s seat for too long. This could make it harder to get back behind the wheel later. A gradual approach could make it easier. You could: 

• Sit in the driver’s seat with the engine off
• Drive short, familiar routes during the day when traffic is light
• Bring a friend or family member along for support
• Avoid high-traffic areas or interstates until you feel ready

Regaining confidence in driving and sharing the road with others is a key part of your healing. However, you do not have to rush and should not place unrealistic expectations on yourself during this process. A mental health professional can equip you with strategies to help with these tasks.

5. Take Care of Your Physical Health

Ensuring your body is getting the treatment and support you need physically makes it easier to recover your emotional health, too. In addition to seeing your doctor and following their orders for your physical injuries, you should:

• Get plenty of rest
• Stay hydrated
• Eat healthy, well-rounded meals
• Engage in gentle movement or physical therapy if possible
• Avoid excessive alcohol or drug use

6. Stay Involved in Your Favorite Activities and Social Life

Many people tend to withdraw from their friends and routines after a car accident. However, the isolation and loss of hobbies can make the emotional distress worse. While you may need to reduce the pace or alter some activities due to your injuries, you should try to remain engaged and on a normal routine when possible. This provides structure and stability to your life.

7. Know When to Call a Lawyer for Legal Help

Many people get overwhelmed trying to manage their injuries, gather evidence, and file insurance claims after a crash. If someone else caused your serious injuries, you can likely recover compensation. However, there is no reason you have to try to manage this process on your own. 

Most car accident lawyers work based on contingency, meaning you do not have to pay them anything upfront. They handle your claim and are paid from the money they recover for you. 

A personal injury lawyer can document your injuries and treatment, work with expert witnesses, and fight for fair compensation for:

• Your medical care
• The cost of therapy
• Prescription medications
• Lost income
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life

Having an attorney handle your case and recover compensation for you will not cure your anxiety or cause the trauma to go away, but it can help you manage the stress of the situation and allow you to get the money you need to pay for your care. 

If you lost a loved one in the crash, you can work with a lawyer to help your family recover losses and costs instead. They also work on a contingency fee basis.

Discuss Your Car Accident With Our Team Today for Free

If you were seriously injured in a crash and are struggling with your emotional recovery, contact our firm. GED Lawyers provides a free consultation. We know how difficult it can be to get back on your feet physically, emotionally, and financially. As our case results show, we have more than $100 million recovered since opening in 1995. Contact us today to learn more.