Being involved in an accident is traumatic as it challenges your physical and mental health. Your injury might be mild or it could be serious. Regardless of the extent of your injury it will still take you time to heal and fully recover. And you want to do this with minimal cost, effort and with as little restriction to your quality of life as possible.
Taking the right steps after an incident will ensure that you get your life back to normal—or as close to it as possible— in a short space of time. Let’s look at the 5 steps you can take now.
Step #1 Seek Legal Advice
Depending on the extent of your injury and where it occurred—work, at the gym, home, roadside, footpath, driving— getting yourself a quality legal representative will help you get your life back under control while they deal with your case. If you need to take the case to court, they will represent you and give you the best opportunity to gain compensation, if you’re entitled. They can help with everything from finances to gathering evidence to support your case.
Without legal help, you might find it difficult to get compensation or be successful with your court case. Your legal representative is you with every step of the way from start to finish and ensures that you don’t have to deal with everything yourself.
The great aspect about seeking expert legal advice is that you can talk to them when you need. They will always be on your side and be willing to help. Should you need extra expert help such as therapy or financial help, they will guide you in the right direction.
Step #2 Seek Medical Attention
After an accident, you should always seek medical advice. Even if you don’t suffer an obvious injury, there could be an underlying issue that causes pain and discomfort in the future. Catching the underlying issue early will prevent future pain and assist to speed up your recovery.
When you suffer an obvious physical injury, you should always seek immediate medical attention. They will help you get the best treatment possible to manage and treat the issue.
Step #3 Get Medical Records
After you receive medical treatment, you should keep a copy of your medical records. You might need these for future reference—evidence in court, professional consult, workers compensation or sick leave. Without medical records, it will be difficult to prove what injuries you have sustained and what assistance you may require after treatment.
Step #4 Self-Care
During and after your recovery from an injury caused by an accident, it is important to practice self-care as much as possible. You will need to rest in order to recover in the short time possible. Resting will also reset your mind and spirit.
Self-care practices that you could enjoy include:
- Walking: If your accident hasn’t affected your walking abilities, then a walk outside in nature can help you get your blood flowing, increase your breath and get you out and about. This approach can improve your mood, which will help if you feel down and alone.
- Read: Reading is a great self-care activity that helps you to escape your present situation. Diving into a story and getting lost in the pages will help you switch off and relax.
- Meditation: Meditation is a popular self-care practice to help you increase mindfulness. The practice allows a person to focus on the present, discover their true feelings, and find purpose. During meditation, you will realise what it is you need to improve your mental and physical well-being. You will be more aware of how you feel, which will aid in quicker and more efficient recovery.
- Yoga: If you are fit enough to participate in physical activity, then yoga is a great exercise to help you stretch, focus on your present-self, and for you to let go of bad thoughts and feelings. Yoga is a practice that can be intense or gentle, depending on the type you choose. It can rebuild your physical and mental strength.
Step #5 Speak to People
The likelihood of suffering from mental health problems after an accident is high. An accident can leave you with all kinds of uncontrollable emotions.
When you are recovering from a physical injury then it’s likely you’ll spend time alone at home or in care. When doing so, your mind may wander. While time to think can be beneficial, toxic thoughts can be detrimental to your mental health. Ensuring that you speak to people about how you are feeling will get you the help you need.
You may also require therapy after an accident to help you cope with the trauma. A therapist will ensure that you get back on the road to recovery and improve your mental health.
If you feel you simply need someone loving to listen to you, surround yourself with friends and family and always know that they are there to give you support and advice.
No matter the extent of your injury, it is important for you to follow the right steps to ensure recovery and the best possible outcome physically, mentally and financially. And, if you’re not sure, then ask for advice.
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