(Newswire.net — December 25, 2021) — If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s imperative that you don’t take a “wait and see” approach. You need to act quickly and get the medical and legal attention you need.
Car Accident Injury Statistics
Car accidents are, unfortunately, quite common. Each year somewhere between 20 to 50 million people suffer from non-fatal injuries resulting in long-term disabilities. Another 1.35 million people lose their lives (roughly 3,700 people per day). In fact, road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 5-29.
Car accidents are caused by any number of factors, including poor road infrastructure, speeding, unsafe driver behavior, distracted driving, and improper vehicle maintenance. And while they can’t always be prevented, there are steps you can take to ensure you make a swifter recovery when injured in a car accident.
Tips for Your Recovery
Recovering from a car accident is different in every situation. Cuts and lacerations, for example, require less recovery time than a traumatic brain injury or broken bone. But if you approach your recovery with a plan, you can enjoy a faster and fuller recovery. Here are several suggestions:
1. Get Medical Care Right Away
In some car accidents, it’s obvious that you need immediate medical attention. Lacerations, blood, broken bones – they’re all clear indicators that you need to be seen by a doctor. In other situations, people try to tough it out. This is something car accident attorneys see play out frequently.
“Too often, we see victims of a car accident wait until the pain becomes unbearable before seeking medical treatment,” Matthews Injury Law explains. “Their hesitation to visit a doctor hurts their ability to recover physically, hurts their case, and results in a loss of rightful compensation.”
The significance of getting immediate medical care can’t be overstated. Delays in detecting an injury and providing care can dramatically increase the severity of injuries.
“Care of injuries after a crash has occurred is extremely time-sensitive: delays of minutes can make the difference between life and death,” World Health Organization mentions. “Improving post-crash care requires ensuring access to timely prehospital care, and improving the quality of both prehospital and hospital care, such as through specialist training programs.”
Remember that adrenaline from the car accident often masks symptoms of pain for several minutes to several hours. Being seen by a doctor right away will help you figure out a plan moving forward.
2. Find a Specialist (If Necessary)
More than likely, the first doctor you see will be an EMS professional, emergency room doctor, or even your primary care doctor. And while each of these individuals is highly skilled, they aren’t always specifically trained for car accident injuries. They can give you a pretty good initial diagnosis, but it’s a good idea to schedule a follow up meeting with a specialist.
If you have joint, bone, muscle, or spine issues, schedule an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. If you’ve had a concussion or brain injury, a neurologist can run some tests and give you an even more accurate diagnosis.
3. Follow Doctor’s Orders
Treatment can feel slow, and recovery won’t always happen on your schedule. But if there’s one thing you should always do, it’s following your doctor’s orders. Once the treatment plan is put in place, follow it religiously. That’s your full-time job right now.
4. Treat Your Body Right
In addition to limiting normal activities, taking medication, and participating in physical therapy, make sure you’re treating your body right. This means getting plenty of rest (at least eight to nine hours per night), staying hydrated, and eating a fresh and balanced diet. This gives your body the fuel it needs to kick its recovery efforts into high gear.
5. Learn to Drive Again
Many people are surprised by the psychological hurdles that make it difficult to get behind the wheel of a vehicle again. Even in minor accidents, that first time back in a car can cause feelings of fear and anxiety to well up. You might even have flashbacks of the accident.
While these emotional responses are totally normal, you should deal with them as quickly as possible. This might look like bringing another driver along with you for emotional support. Or it could mean driving around in your neighborhood a few times before getting back on a busy road.
Putting it All Together
The road to recovery is often unpredictable. No two injuries are the same (and we all face unique circumstances that either help or hinder our recovery process). Having said that, following the tips outlined above will put you in a much better place. Put these tips into action and trust the process!