Car accidents are something that no one ever wants to think of, but, unfortunately, they’re real and quite frequent.

If you’ve gone through such a traumatic event lately, you’re more than entitled to be angry, frustrated, and desperate, especially if this accident caused severe injuries. We know that this advice may seem pointless, but try as much as possible to forget about the incident and focus on your recovery because you can’t turn back the clock. Although there are no shortcuts in the recovery process, you can still make your healing process smoother if you take into consideration some aspects.

Physical and emotional trouble is hard to be overlooked, especially when the accident was caused by someone else, but there are ways to improve your physical and mental health, even if with baby steps.

While we can’t give you exact answers on how long your healing process will be, we can provide you with practical recommendations that will put you in the right direction:

How to speed up recovery after an auto accident

Seek a thorough medical evaluation

After a vehicle accident, the first and most important step is getting immediate medical help. Remember that some symptoms won’t show up until several hours or even days after the impact, so in case you think it was just a fender-bender, you’d better change your mind and do it soon. Whiplash, fractured or broken bones, back injuries, and concussions are just a few injuries with delayed symptoms. We know that the adrenaline in those moments has no comparison, but your first thoughts should be focused only on your health.

Consider going to the emergency room or scheduling a doctor appointment to receive a proper examination and determine what type of injury affected you. Once you have a diagnosis, you’ll be able to take the following steps on the recovery road.

Follow your prescribed treatment plan

Depending on the suffered damage, several types of treatment may be required. We know that there’s a lot of hassle to keep up with all the appointments and taking your medication, but remember that it’s only temporary. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the number of visits to the physician or the amount of time you have to take medication, but don’t even think of making any changes to your treatment. After going to the hospital after the accident, the #2 rule is to listen to the doctor who is going to take care of you. Thus, if they recommend two weeks of bed rest, follow their advice. It might be tempting to return to your daily tasks or work as soon as you feel better, but don’t fall into the trap of “feeling better today”. It sounds harsh, but you feel better when your physician tells you so.

Consider all necessary rehabilitative therapy

In some cases, it might be required to do physical therapy. If you’ve suffered back or spinal injuries, this is one of the most effective ways to gain mobility and speed up your recovery. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may have to attend several appointments, so it would be best to have patience. In the event of more severe damage, it might be needed to spend time in an assisted living therapy center. Traumatic brain injuries, for instance, affect essential life skills, so you can adequately recover if you hospitalize yourself in such a medical facility.

Speak to a mental health professional

Besides physical damage, an accident can also involve mental injuries, and they’re just as important as the former. Although emotional distress is often overlooked, you should take proper care of it. After all, the brain is the most important organ in your body, so it needs adequate care.

Anxiety, emotional trauma, depression, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) are some of the most common psychological issues that may occur as a result of a vehicle collision. Feelings that your life may be at risk or intense fear of driving may accompany you a long time after the impact if you don’t take proper measures. The most efficient way to manage your emotions and receive treatment for potential mental issues is to visit a psychologist or therapist.

Obtain strong legal advice

If you’ve been the victim of another driver’s negligence, you don’t have to bear the mental, physical, and financial burden of your losses alone. Besides a physician to take care of your injuries, you can contact a personal injury lawyer to take care of your finances while you focus on the most important thing: your health. Don’t put so much hope in insurance companies because, more often than not, they will look to give you the minimum amount of money as compensation. But professional solicitors fight for your rights and represent you in court so that you can receive proper and faster compensation for your injuries. And don’t worry if you don’t know how to sue someone – personal injury lawyers will give you all the details and further guide you on your legal journey.

We know that the last thing you want is to get involved in legal proceedings, especially when having a fragile health condition, and even if this can’t speed up your healing process, it will definitely help with medical bills and any other costs associated with your recovery.

Eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated

Nutrition is crucial when it comes to healing after an accident since foods offer nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that give you strength and energy. You may not have an appetite, which is pretty common among accident victims, but you have to make some effort to include healthy foods into your diet. Foods like berries, red cabbage, beans, and spinach, for example, are rich in antioxidants, which are well-known for their efficiency against damage caused by free radicals. Thus, they help cells heal faster and give you enough energy to get your life back on track as soon as possible. Don’t also forget to hydrate well because your body may lose fluid during the healing process.

 

Everyone has their own recovery rhythm, but adopting the right practices during the process may help you regain your vitality faster than you think.