Look After Your Emotional Well-Being After a Severe Injury

We’ve helped thousands of people recover from their injuries and get their lives back on track after accidents. Our job is to get the most compensation possible for their injuries, which can help them on the road to recovery. Accident victims can suffer emotionally due to a violent, traumatic accident that not only may injure them but family members and loved ones as well. The compensation for your emotional pain and trauma can be part of a negotiated settlement or jury award if your case isn’t resolved.

Orange County car accident attorney Aaron Hicks helps his clients cope with the severe harm that accident victims can suffer. He can be part of the team that puts your life back together. For comprehensive support and expert legal guidance, consider reaching out to a car accident law firm in California.

How Might an Accident Affect Me Emotionally?

A serious accident may cause profound effects on your well-being because of the physical trauma, the abrupt disruption to your life, and the accident’s psychological impact. The following are some ways a severe accident might affect you emotionally:

You may develop signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These symptoms may include recurring nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, insomnia, and avoidance behaviors related to the accident (like being unable to get into a car or go into a hospital)
Your fear of having another accident may show itself as a general anxiety about your safety and well-being
Feeling sad, hopeless, and losing interest in enjoyable activities may occur. You may become depressed because of physical limitations caused by your injuries, a less active or engaged lifestyle, or difficulties with coping with the accident and what’s happened since
You may feel guilt or shame, especially if others were injured or killed, or you may blame yourself for the accident. You may become obsessed with the accident, replaying it in your head countless times, trying to determine what you did wrong and what you should’ve done
You may be angry because of the changes in your life, physical pain or limitations, or what you see as injustices concerning the accident, leading to anger and irritability
Guilt, sadness, and shame due to your injuries and disabilities may impact your self-image and confidence, causing you to do less and become more isolated, making the situation worse
Severe accidents may strain relationships with family, friends, or partners because of your changed behavior, mood swings, or increased caregiving you receive
Due to the accident and injuries, you may have practical problems. Your finances may be strained, you must cope with healthcare and insurance bureaucracies and adjust to your new normal
Instead of feeling stressed, depressed, or angry, you may feel nothing. Emotional numbness or detachment can be one reaction to overwhelming feelings that come with dealing with a severe accident
You may turn to unhealthy behaviors to cope, including alcohol or drug abuse

Before you can improve, you must understand and accept that you have emotional problems caused by the accident and the aftermath. Denial will deepen your negative feelings and send your life in the wrong direction.

What Should I Do to Improve Emotionally After an Accident?

This process may gradually address your recovery's psychological and practical challenges. Here are steps that may help:

Acknowledge and accept your emotions, no matter what they are. It's normal to have mixed feelings after a traumatic event
Reach out to friends, family, or a support group who can offer camaraderie, empathy, understanding, and practical assistance. Discussing your feelings and experiences with others and helping them with their challenges can help lighten your emotional load
Consider getting help from a therapist or counselor with experience helping those coping with trauma or post-traumatic stress. They can provide you with coping strategies that may help you manage your anxiety and process the trauma
Don’t neglect your physical and emotional needs. Get enough rest, eat nutritious meals, and engage in activities bringing you comfort and relaxation. Physical well-being can significantly improve your emotional well-being
Set small, achievable goals each day or week. Accomplishing them can improve your self-confidence and boost your sense of control
Stay connected to the supportive people in your life. Don’t have conversations dominated by you and what you’re dealing with, talk about them and the issues they face. Given your situation, you may have valuable insight into what might help them
Identify things that may trigger accident-related anxiety or distress and avoid them until you’re better prepared to confront them
Be patient and understand that emotional healing takes time. Grieve your losses, adjust to changes in your life, and rebuild your life at your own pace

Everyone’s recovery is unique, and there’s no deadline to heal. Give yourself a break, be compassionate to yourself, and prioritize self-care as you navigate the journey of rebuilding your emotional well-being after your serious accident.

Orange County’s Aaron Hicks is a Car Accident Attorney You Can Trust

If you’re severely injured in a vehicle accident, Aaron Hicks and the Hicks Law Firm will help you in any way they can. He is an experienced car accident lawyer representing injured clients throughout Southern California and Orange County, including Costa Mesa, Irvine, Tustin, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach.

Aaron Hicks has represented many accident victims in Orange County and looks forward to helping you, too. Call us at 949-541-9944 or complete our online contact form so our team of Southern California car accident lawyers can discuss your case. For comprehensive legal support, consider reaching out to a California accident law firm.