Being involved in a car accident can have serious detrimental impacts on the victim’s life in every aspect. If they survive this potentially fatal incident, they may suffer severe injuries that will stop them from working, socializing, or taking care of their loved ones. As you can imagine, this can result in serious frustration for the injured party.
Evidently, if someone you know has been in a serious accident, this will cause some issues to you as well, you may become very worried about them and may take over their rehabilitation to support their recovery as soon as possible. In this article, we will advise you on how to effectively help someone recover after a serious road accident.
Make Sure They See a Doctor
Being injured in a car accident can cause serious injuries to those involved. Medical help should be on site of the accident soon after it occurs in order to check the wellbeing and health of the victims. However, there are so many emergency services that can check when on the side of the road, therefore it is important that people visit a doctor even if they do not believe they have any injuries. It is very common to sustain internal injuries from a road accident, which can result in more serious health issues. Convince your loved one to go to the doctor even if they are adamant that they are well.
Contact an Attorney
When there is a road accident there will always be a guilty party whose negligence and carelessness have caused this to happen. In such cases, it is important that you contact a law professional with expertise in personal injury so that your loved one, who has been injured in a car crash, can claim compensation. This compensation is often rewarded to the victims of accidents, to help their recovery. Victims of accidents should be focusing on their recovery fully, therefore if you want to help them you can make sure the legal process goes ahead by putting everything in place and leaving the victim to concentrate on their rehabilitation.
Seek Additional Professional Healthcare Support
As we mentioned previously, victims of car accidents may suffer from severe injuries that will affect every aspect of their life. You may want to help your loved one recover after a serious road accident, but when it comes to their health you may not be able to do this effectively if you are not sure of what you are doing. In these cases, it is okay to be aware that you cannot be of help and put the appropriate support in place. It is a good idea to hire a nurse or other healthcare professional to visit your loved one occasionally and even stay with them full-time to administer medication as necessary and deliver any treatment as required.
Ask Them What They Need From You
It can be easy for someone to want to take complete control over someone’s recovery, thinking this is helpful. However, it is important to remember that the victim has a say in what they want and all decisions should be made by them. Evidently, there will be times where victims do not accept that their recovery will require them to fully rest in order to get better, and in these cases, it is okay to intervene. However, make sure that you ask the victim what it is they need from you so that you can effectively help them.
Reassure Them
Depending on the magnitude of the injuries of your loved one, they may be very depressed at how their life has changed. This is particularly so if they have any children who depend on them. It is important that you are there to reassure them that things will be okay, even if their injuries will cause them to never resume their normal lives as before the accident. You can help them see the positives, including that they are alive and will adapt well, with your help. You can also reassure them that you will be there every step of the way.
Be Patient
This rehabilitation journey can be a very difficult one for the victim but also for you. There may be a lot of emotions involved, including anger. This is a normal part of the recovery, as the injured party feels as if their life was stolen from them. It is important that you are patient and understanding as you go through this with them. Do not feel pressured to be with your loved one constantly and do not forget to allow yourself free time, otherwise, your own emotions and poor wellbeing will prevent you from being of help.
Things That Can Help You Recover From a Car Accident Faster
If you or your loved one have been in a serious road car accident, you may not be able to return to your normal self as soon as you leave the hospital. Most likely, you will have sustained severe injuries that need to heal. If you want to recover from a car accident fast, you need to have a care plan that you follow for quick results. Here are a few things you can include in the care plan.
Drink a Lot of Water
After an accident, your body needs fluids to help with the inflammation, so you should drink at least six cups of water each day for a week after your accident. Vitamin C is also necessary for your diet as it is known to help in the tissue repair process greatly. This vitamin also helps produce electrolytes which can neutralize the free radicals causing increased inflammation.
Ensure you do not consume a lot of sodas and high-sugar foods after an accident. This is because high fructose corn syrup in high-sugar foods can interfere with your body’s collagen-making process. Since collagen is necessary for healing, you may be slowing down your recovery process.
Deep Breathing Exercises
The shock of a road accident can cause your diaphragm to tighten, meaning your lungs won’t be able to take in as much oxygen as before. So, if you are having trouble taking deep breaths, your ribcage may be slightly shifted towards your spine, not leaving enough room for your lungs to expand.
The best way to fix this issue is to perform deep breathing exercises daily. You can also sing at the top of your lungs as it helps compressed rib heads back to their original position.
Avoid Physical Activity
If you are someone who moves around a lot, staying still and relaxing may be difficult, but it is necessary if you want to recover fast. Most physicians recommend avoiding strenuous physical activities if you have been in a serious car accident. Additionally, physically demanding sports can worsen your injuries and prolong your recovery.
Conclusion
Helping someone rehabilitate from a serious road accident can be extremely difficult, depending on the gravity of the injuries. Make sure to follow the tips discussed above if you want to effectively help someone recover after a serious road accident.