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In 2019, there were nearly 7 million car accidents. If you’re recovering from a car accident, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone and that it could have been much worse than it is.
The rate of injury per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is 84 times higher than the rate of fatality. Fortunately, the fatality rate is dropping, but the injury rate is not.
Part of how to mentally recover from a car accident is also recovering physically. As your physical wounds heal, so too can your emotions.
To cut your recovery time after a car accident, keep reading and follow these five tips.
- Get Immediate Medical Care
Not every injury you get will be felt immediately after an accident. Some life-threatening or life-limiting ones may even show up hours, days, or a few weeks later.
Even if you don’t feel like you’ve been injured, get immediate medical care.
EMTs, know what to look for. EMTs can give you a field check, but if you decide to waive the ride to the hospital that’s on you. See what advice they have to give for your specific situation.
- Exercise, Stretch, and Heal
You might not be able to do normal exercises immediately after your accident. Physical therapy can help you learn stretches that will help you heal, as well as exercises you can do to strengthen damaged areas.
Your body needs to keep getting stronger in order to support itself. This is one of the best mental motivators to keep you moving toward recovery.
- Manage Your Pain Well
It’s hard to keep focus on your goals for recovery when you’re in pain. Pain management does not always mean pain elimination or getting on opiate painkillers.
Part of pain management is covered by physical therapy, as well as emotional therapy if you need counseling.
If you do feel chronic pain, even what you think is manageable pain, talk about it with your doctor. Needless suffering will set you back further. Massage, hot and cold compresses, and over-the-counter pain medication can give great relief.
- Get and Keep a Good Support System
Make sure to surround yourself with positive support from friends and family. A good support system will help to motivate you to match your recovery goals.
Depending on different injuries, you may need more assistance than before. Tell them you appreciate their help, even if the situation is difficult for you personally. This will help your support system feel appreciated and valuable to you, and want to help you more.
If you need assistance finding support, your doctor may make some suggestions for starting points.
- Rest and Be Patient
Get the rest you need. You may want to spring back into action, but sometimes the best medicine is resting from going back to our normal 100%. Be patient with yourself, and remember that tomorrow is another day.
Taking it one day at a time will help you focus more and be thankful for what you can do today, rather than what you could have done before.
Recovering From a Car Accident
You don’t always need decades when recovering from a car accident, but it does take patience, rest, hard work, and time. Following these steps, we’re confident you can overcome any obstacle.
Why? Because you’re always stronger than you think!
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