The path to car accident recovery differs depending on the type and severity of your injuries. If you are experiencing car accident pain, it helps to know what you can expect and which steps to take expedite the recovery process.
In the following article, we’ll be discussing recovery tips at length. First, however, let’s examine the injuries you’re likely to face and what to expect.
Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Neck or back pain after a car accident is common with whiplash-type injuries. In fact, they cite whiplash in about two-thirds of all bodily injury accidents.
That said, there are other types of injuries for which you must be aware, from the obvious (cuts, scrapes, and bruises) to the more damaging:
- Internal bleeding
- Head injuries
- Broken bones
- Knee injuries
- Vertebrae trauma
How you respond largely depends on the injury itself. Some common items for what to expect physically after a car accident include pains in various places, soreness, and partial memory loss. Now that we’ve covered those bases, here are the seven steps you need to take for a speedier recovery.
1. Get Plenty of Rest
Rest allows the body to repair itself. To ensure you’re getting the rest you need, take all available time off from work or strenuous activities until you’re feeling back to normal. Don’t overexert or you could end up worse off than before.
2. Communicate All Aches and Pains Thoroughly
Remember that you are your best healthcare advocate. While your doctor knows a lot about anatomy and treatment of injuries, he or she will only know what to do if it’s properly communicated. Resist the urge to ignore aches and pains when describing your experience.
3. Take the Advice of Your Accident Doctor
Most of the time, your accident doctor will be able to make a proper prognosis based on patient interviews, X-rays, and other types of testing. Avoid Internet-based self-diagnosis and follow his or her advice to the letter.
4. Take Advantage of Therapy
If you can see a physical therapist for help with recovery, do so. They will give you some great knowledge about your injury as well as exercises you can do during therapy time and on your own to strengthen and heal affected areas.
5. Practice Exercises on Your Own
Don’t just do therapy during your scheduled therapy time either. Make time for it on your own. Repetition strengthens your musculoskeletal system.
6. Eat Well and Hydrate
While following your doctor’s advice, keep nutrition and hydration a priority. Eat plenty of fiber and protein and limit fats. Drink at least eight 8-ounce cups of water a day.
7. Be Patient
It’s easy to get frustrated on the road to recovery. Frustration can lead to making some unhealthy decisions or pushing yourself to do things before your body is ready for the load. Give your recovery the proper amount of time it demands.
Car Accident Recovery Takes Time and Effort
Unfortunately, how much time and effort is hard to pin down without knowing what you’re recovering from. However, car accident recovery goes quicker when you educate yourself, take proper action, and give your body the time it needs.