A car accident is a major event in someone’s life; even a small fender-bender with no injuries can have a lasting emotional impact. You might find yourself afraid to drive after your accident or wrestling with nightmares. It’s important to take things one day at a time following an automotive accident, and this checklist will help you progress slowly and confidently as you recover.
Focus on Your Health
If you sustained any injuries in the accident, it’s important to focus entirely on your well-being right now. There are a lot of additional sources of stress, including when you can go back to work, how you’ll pay any medical bills and repair costs and what might happen legally as a result of the crash. Stress has a tremendous impact on the body, and it can delay the healing process and make pain more intense. Reducing your stress and prioritizing your health and recovery is essential to moving forward in a positive light.
Check-in With Your Emotions
It’s natural to feel anxious about driving again, but some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident. If you experience extreme anxiety attacks, feel on-edge and irritable throughout the day, have flashbacks or relive the events of the accident through nightmares, you should speak to a licensed mental health professional. Even people who don’t have PTSD can benefit from counseling after a major life event like a car accident. In therapy, you’ll be able to fully process all of your thoughts and feelings that you may not have had time to really consider since the accident.
Consider Speaking to a Lawyer
Whether you want to press charges or may face legal consequences yourself, consulting with an auto accident lawyer is a good idea. This can give you a peace of mind about the situation as well as prepare you for any future court cases you might have to deal with. Remember that consulting with a lawyer does not admit guilt or confirm any accusations, it’s a responsible move on your behalf that protects you and helps you prepare for the future.
Take Care of Necessities First
Repairs are expensive, and your car might have been significantly damaged. Focus on the most essential repairs first to avoid financial hardship. Talk to your insurance company before scheduling any repairs or replacements.
See what’s covered, what you’ll have to pay for out-of-pocket, and whether or not you have to work with a specific automotive garage for your insurance to take effect.
Author Information: Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing.
