(Newswire.net — May 24, 2017) — After a major accident, the first thing on your mind is how quickly you can get back to a normal life. From getting back to work to the physical hobbies that you love, the quicker you recover, the quicker you feel like you again. However, one thing to be mindful of is that depending on the nature of your accident, recovering properly may be a bit of a complex process. Here are some things to look out for when you heal.
Physical Healing
A major accident, such as an auto accident, can lead to a variety of injuries. It’s important to note that the effects of said injuries can have effects well after they take place. While this delay means you may not connect the two at first, a medical professional will likely be able to make the link and help you with treatment. Some of the more common examples of delayed injuries include:
Injuries to the back: Back injuries are very dangerous due to the fact that they can easily lead to symptoms or reduced function to the entire body. Some injuries, such as a herniated disk, can lead to numb sensations, muscle weakness, and other symptoms that require extended medical help to alleviate. More serious injuries, like to the spinal cord, can lead to permanent loss of certain body functions.
Soft tissue injuries: Whiplash is a very common issue in auto accidents, but damage to the neck can lead to many conditions. Sometimes, it manifests as simple soreness or stiffness but can grow to include swelling and decreased mobility. Some of these symptoms won’t show up until weeks after the accident. Chances are that you may need medical treatment before you are even aware there is a problem. Whiplash falls under the umbrella of soft tissue injuries. Basically, this means parts of the body other than bone like muscles, tendons, and ligaments becoming injured.
Injuries to the limbs: This third category may not be as immediately threatening as the others. However, injuries to the arms, legs, hands and feet are quite common. Any one of these body parts rendered out of use can result in discomfort for you. In some cases, if the damage is not attended to, you may lose degrees of function permanently. The best thing to do is to see a doctor right away after your accident, even if you feel alright. They can detect potential issues before you start to feel them.
Mental Healing
Accidents often come with a mental toll as well, and the most common of these is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Extreme PTSD leads to lost sleep and anxiety. Oftentimes, sufferers have vivid and disturbing flashbacks surrounding the traumatic incident for an extended period. Sometimes, this heightened state leads to irritability and detachment from loved ones. The process of recovery often includes several different therapy techniques, including cognitive behavior therapy and in vivo exposure.
Along with PTSD, there is also the potential for other mental issues to spring from your accident, especially if you sustain a head injury. Some studies have shown instances of people developing long-term anxiety, depression, and phobias after incidents, even if the physical damage is not that great. Also, while a doctor can give you a general timeline for an injury like a broken bone, there is no set healing process for mental health. Sometimes, a few counseling sessions over a few months can help you work through your issues. For more serious trauma, this may mean years.
In addition, major head injuries can lead to lifelong mental issues, such as personality changes, depression, or memory problems. These combine with physical issues like impaired vision or hearing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports motor vehicle crashes are the third overall leading cause of traumatic brain injuries.
Practical Healing
One area where mental and physical health issues collide is your finances. Medical expenses and mental health services can lead to quite a financial load. Compounding this is the loss of income that generally accompanies serious injuries. Whether you have a physical or office job, recovery generally leads to reduced work productivity at best. The result is often that you have a set of bills and less money to pay them with. Equally concerning is the potential that the injuries, physical and mental, that you incur, are permanent. This means potential damage to your earning potential, which can impact you and your family. If you believe that your accident is the result of someone else’s negligence, you may want to pursue legal action. The potential financial compensation available to you can help you cover your medical fees. It can also mitigate financial hardship if you are unable to work for an extended period of time.
With this said, you don’t want to pursue legal action alone. According to Michael Ghozland, a veteran Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, “Although representing yourself may be possible, it is definitely not recommended. When you retain the legal guidance of an experienced personal injury attorney, you can rest assured that your rights and compensation are being fought for. Insurance companies will often try to low ball victims or pry statements out of you that they can be used against you; but when you have an attorney that they need to answer to, you have a better chance at being able to receive the highest amount of compensation available for your injuries.”
It’s important to take care of your body after an accident. However, there are more costs than the pain you endure during this process. From medical expenses to work hours lost, there is a true financial burden that goes with these type of incidents. A personal injury lawyer can help you work through the legal system where you live to get the maximum amount of compensation.