An automobile accident can result in harm on many levels, not just physically. Returning to the life you once lived can take time. The recovery process has its ups and downs, and you may feel like you’re riding an emotional rollercoaster.
Believe it or not, that’s normal after a car accident.
More than 7,000 people are hurt in car accidents daily across the United States. Each crash victim’s experience is different. Similarly, each victim’s recovery will follow its own path.
Below, Brooks Law Group offers advice to those worrying about what life after a Tampa car accident may be like. If you need help, call or contact one of our car accident lawyers for a free consultation.
Will Life Be Normal Again After My Car Accident?
After your crash, it’s natural to feel confused and overwhelmed. Even if you are expected to make a full recovery from your injuries, you may find yourself reliving the experience and agonizing over how it has changed your life. You may feel a sense of guilt, even though the wreck was not your fault if the situation is causing inconvenience and loss of income for your family.
In short, how you approach everyday tasks and life, in general, may go through a progression. Ask your physician to estimate when you’re likely to feel normal again. If you feel depressed, make sure to seek help from a qualified mental health provider to discuss your feelings.
How Long Should I Take Off Work?
This is a difficult question with many variables. Much depends on the type of work you performed before the accident, the extent of your injuries, your employer’s benefits package, and how long you can afford to be out of work.
Questions like this are better posed to your physician, physical therapist, or another medical professional who is caring for you. Realize that sometimes symptoms don’t appear until days after a wreck, so taking it easy is often a good idea.
The following tips may give you some guidance after a crash:
- Keep all your doctor’s appointments.
- Document your symptoms and any complications.
- Draft your doctor’s note to return to work.
- Don’t go back to work too soon.
- Know what to do if you re-injure yourself at work.
- Talk to an experienced lawyer if you learn you can’t return to work at all.
Tips for Driving After a Tampa Car Accident
After a crash, you may find it difficult to get behind the wheel again. Doing so may make you feel anxious and downright fearful. Here are some tips to help you get back on the road:
- Write down your memories of how the crash occurred.
- Talk to family and friends about your worries and fears. Keeping those emotions to yourself can be detrimental to your mental and emotional health.
- Have another driver with you when you get behind the wheel again, in case you feel nervous.
- Keep your initial driving trips short and undemanding.
- Don’t avoid the scene of the accident.
- Take a defensive driving course to help you ease back into life on the road.
How Could Return to Normal Affect My Claim?
This is a frequently asked question. Victims of car accidents don’t need to change their normal behaviors out of concerns that they will jeopardize their accident claim. It’s a common misconception.
If your doctor clears you to return to the typical activities you enjoy, you should feel comfortable doing so. It should not reduce your payout.
Contact Brooks Law Group Today
A serious car accident can change your life in an instant. But with the right legal help, you can secure the compensation you need to return to daily life — even if it’s not exactly the way it was before.
Let a car accident attorney in Tampa at Brooks Law Group help you find your “new normal.” Call or contact us for a free consultation.
