Every year, between 20 and 50 million people across the globe experience a non-fatal injury as the result of a road traffic accident. Injuries can range from small cuts and scrapes to major ones like fractured or broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Sometimes, the medical issues caused by a road traffic accident can be long-term and can require years of therapy and rehabilitation. If someone you love is currently fighting to heal from such an injury, what steps can you take to ensure they receive the very best care possible?
Know Your Legal Rights
If you believe that any form of negligence or malice was involved in the crash that caused the injury, seeing a personal injury attorney early is important. Having sound advice from an experienced legal team will ensure you are informed of your rights and options so you can decide if you wish to file a case. Rehabilitation and therapy can be costly so receiving any compensation due will enable you to consider a wider gamut of treatment options and will significantly reduce the financial burden on your family.
Receiving Emotional Support
Your loved one may have emotional trauma following a road traffic accident. Watch out for signs of anxiety, depression, or PTSD and ensure that your loved one sees a professional therapist to receive a diagnosis and treatment if possible. You can start out by contacting groups and alliances that specialize in your family member’s injury or situation. The list of groups is vast and includes MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Coping with Injury, the PTSD Alliance, Trauma Survivors Network, Mental Health America, and more. There are also groups that support people who caused the accident, such as Accidental Impacts, EmpowHER, and The Phoenix Society. Some of the latter focus on survivor guilt and make suggestions of how to get over this and other emotional effects of trauma.
Dealing with Stress
After an accident, stress can become a big worry for not only the person who experienced the accident but also for all family members. Approach this issue proactively, taking part in natural healing activities such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, and controlled breathing. If your injured loved one is able to take a walk or would like to spend some time outside, take them to a green or blue area (such as a park or the seaside). Studies have shown that spending just a few minutes in a natural setting can significantly reduce levels of stress hormones. Nature can help in many more ways. As found in research conducted by scientists at the University of East Anglia, exposure to the Great Outdoors reduces the risk of high blood pressure, premature death, and cardiovascular disease.
When a loved one experiences a road traffic accident, it can throw a family’s routine out of whack. Recovery can be lengthy, with physical and mental rehabilitation and therapy sometimes being necessary. To ensure your loved one feels like they are moving forward, ensure their legal rights are met, get them help for their mental health or wellbeing if needed, and help them battle stress naturally and effectively.
Speak Your Mind