A car accident can be life-changing. From causing you harm emotionally and physically, it can also result in financial losses.
Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, is no stranger to car accidents. Data from the 2022 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts state that Phoenix saw 38,331 crashes. Of this, there were 282 fatalities and over 10,000 suffered injuries.
Numbers like this make it important to hire the best car accident attorneys in Phoenix. These legal professionals help you secure compensation for all losses, including emotional ones.
List Of Tips To Overcome Emotional Trauma After A Car Accident
As per the Frontiers study, 46.5% of the participants had at least three severe symptoms of PTSD after they went through an RTA. Further, the study stated that nearly half of the survivors develop PTSD, which requires special attention.
Besides PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms are common among the survivors, leading to harmful coping strategies, like dependence on alcohol or other illegal drugs.
Here are 5 effective coping skills to deal with the emotional trauma after surviving a car accident.
Instead of Ignoring, Accept What You Feel
Traumatic stress can lead to shock, guilt, and anger-like emotions, especially if you try to ignore it and move on. Instead of this, let the emotions come and accept what you feel at the moment. Give yourself time to go through what you feel, and then let yourself heal.
Take Action To Prove Your Helplessness Wrong
To overcome your anxiety and helplessness, the best way is to take action. Your positive actions help you tackle your feelings; even small but constant actions can make a huge difference.
It is also important to be consistent with your actions, as it is easy to slip into a cycle of self-blame or depression.
Keep Moving
Even though it is the last thing you want to do, keep your body moving. This can be in the form of anything, whether it’s exercise, yoga, or a simple walk. These help release the feel-good endorphins; not to forget, they help burn some calories too.
Reach Out To People
Make sure you talk about how you feel instead of isolating yourself or bottling things up. You needn’t necessarily talk about the accident. It can be a casual conversation with friends and family. Consider joining sports groups, communities, and professionals who know the right way of dealing with emotions and triggers.
Focus On What You Consume
When you are recovering from such traumas, it’s crucial to pay attention to what you consume, whether it’s a diet or media. Focus on consuming what’s healthy for your body and mind. Limit media exposure regarding the accidents that might trigger memories of the incident. Also, avoid checking social media before you sleep.
Besides this, fresh vegetables, fruits, high protein, and healthy fats like omega-3 can help in coping with stress and recovering from the accident.
With these tips, you can get through tough times and move forward to a bright, healthier, and happier future!
Final Thoughts
Car accidents have the ability to completely transform a person’s life in the blink of an eye. We touched on emotional trauma, as it is one part of a car accident that many victims seem to take less seriously.
In addition to coping with emotional effects, it’s also important to look at the financial aspect. It’s not fair that you have to spend your hard-earned money due to someone else’s negligence. Luckily, a lawyer can help in this regard.
The expertise of a lawyer is beneficial in accident victims getting the compensation they deserve. They will also help deal with insurance adjusters and will represent you in court if the need arises.
