After a car accident, the key focus is to get better as soon as possible and return to normal life. This can be a tough period considering the loss, pain, anxiety and complicated claim processes. Consider the following three tips for successfully getting through and caring for oneself after a car accident.
Go To the Doctor
This is the first thing you should do after an accident, even where you feel like your injuries are minimal. This is because some injuries are not evident to the naked eye. At times you will not feel the pain until after a few days. Thus, take even the small scratches to the hospital. The doctor will examine you and give you some recommendations. Follow through with these recommendations. If you are told to stay at the hospital for some days or go home and take a rest, don’t dispute or do the opposite. If you get back to work when you should be on bed rest, you will only prolong your healing period.
What about my medical bills? This is a common question many people ask after an accident. Health insurance coverage or auto insurance with medical payments coverage can help in paying for your bills. Once you get a settlement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you will then inform your health insurance company so they can get a reimbursement.
If you don’t have any health or medical coverage, you may have to pay for bills out of pocket. This is because the settlement is not made immediately after the accident. Not to worry though; there are a couple of health care providers who are lenient enough to negotiate payment plans and even defer payment until the settlement is done.
If you are confused about the payments, contact a car accident lawyer for help. A good lawyer can also advise you on the best action to take to ensure you get the compensation you deserve fast.
Exercise, Eat Right and Drink Enough of Water
These three can help you feel better sooner rather than later. Exercise is good as it strengthens the muscles and it can help ease the pain and swelling. And if you will be spending a lot of time at home, exercising can keep you in a good mood and feeling energized, and promote better sleep at night. However, don’t start exercising before you speak to your doctor.
A healthy diet rich in healthy fats, proteins and vitamins will help your body in repairing the damaged tissues.
Mental Health Check
What’s on your mind after the accident? Anxiety about the future? Fear of driving again? Stress? If you start having some intense negative emotions after an accident, talk to someone about it. This could be a friend or a counselor. Talk to someone who can encourage you and help you in facing your fears.
The key is to allow yourself enough time to get better while seeking help from the right people for your health and settlement claim processing.