According to the road safety charity Brake, over 1.35 million people die in road accidents around the world every year, and millions more experience serious injuries.
If you’re involved in a major collision, you could be injured in multiple ways, such as being thrown against the dashboard, being jerked sideways against the windshield, or being hit by loose objects or flying debris.
Such incidents can lead to injuries like traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, and spinal cord injury, to name just a few.
But major collisions can also cause you to suffer from any number of psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood swings, emotional distress, trouble sleeping, aggressive outbursts, and fear of getting back behind the wheel of your car.
However, with time, and by using the right methods, you can overcome the psychological trauma of being involved in a major collision.
Hold the Responsible Person to Account
Firstly, if the collision wasn’t your fault, you have the opportunity to claim compensation from the driver whose negligence or recklessness caused your injuries.
Not only does that enable you to claim financial damages to cover your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. It also allows you to hold the person who was responsible for the accident to account.
By taking such action, you can help to lessen your psychological trauma.
So, if you’re involved in a truck accident, for instance, in which the truck driver was to blame, you should contact an experienced and professional truck accident attorney, such as the award-winning Dolman Law’s team of lawyers, to help you obtain the compensation you deserve and hold the responsible party to account.
See a Counselor or a Therapist
To ease symptoms of psychological issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and hopefully conquer your traumatic feelings, it can be very useful to see a professional counselor or therapist.
For instance, you could get cognitive behavioral therapy to help you deal with and overcome your symptoms. Attending a support group for people with similar problems could also help you to get your life back on track.
Your first port of call should be to visit your doctor. He or she will be able to give you helpful advice regarding the types of counseling, therapy, and support services that are available in your local area.
These lifestyle hacks to defeat anxiety naturally and to beat depression naturally might also be useful.
Talk Things Through with a Loved One
Talking through your feelings and worries can be great for helping you to overcome your psychological trauma after a major collision.
In addition to attending counseling or support sessions, it’s a good idea to talk openly to a loved one.
Just having someone you’re close to listen to your thoughts and concerns can go a long way to helping you recover and regain your confidence.
Get Back Behind the Wheel of Your Car in Your Own Time
There’s no rush to start driving again. You’re sure to feel nervous about getting behind the wheel of your car after you’ve experienced a major collision that’s caused psychological problems. But as long as you take things slowly, there’s no reason why you can’t regain your confidence and start driving once more.
The key is to take things slowly.
Begin with a drive around the block and then work your way up to driving on busier roads and then highways.
It could be helpful to have someone else present in the car when you first venture back out onto the road.
It could also be beneficial to complete a driving course before you return to the road. There are some fantastic courses available for people who feel anxious and want to get their driving confidence back