So you’ve been in a major accident. You’re in pain and unsure if you’ll be able to pay your medical bills, and you keep reliving the accident in your mind. To make your situation more bearable, separate your problems into three distinct categories: the past, present, and future.
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The Past
This is the area you have the least control over because it’s already happened. Maybe because of that, it can be the toughest thing to contend with. [pullquote]The mind often attempts to process trauma by reliving it, which can do a real number on you mentally.[/pullquote] You may have nightmares, assuming you can sleep at all. Your mind can feel like a VHS that keeps rewinding to the same spot. You’ll blame yourself, or you’ll blame others, or maybe you won’t know who to blame.
All of those reactions are well within the boundaries of what’s normal, and suppressing them or denying that they exist won’t get you very far. You don’t have to talk about it until you’re ready, but at some point, it’s better to get it all out than to keep it inside. If it stays inside, it’s going to boil up at the worst possible time.
If it was a car accident, you may find yourself having a panic attack the next time you’re at the intersection where another car T-boned you. Talk to a trusted friend. If you’re religious, look for a spiritual leader whom you can open up to. If none of those things work, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with seeing a therapist for a few sessions. You’re not “harping on it” or being weak; you’re doing everything you can to move forward and leave the past in the past.
The Present
Depending on how severe your injuries were, just getting up every day could mean putting yourself through the wringer. Your doctor can prescribe pain pills, but you may be scared of becoming too dependent on them. Oh, and the hospital collections department keeps calling and asking when you’re going to pay the rest of that emergency room bill. Meanwhile, your insurance company isn’t exactly being as helpful as you would like.
The good news is, most personal injury attorneys will offer you a free consultation and tell you if you have a case. [pullquote]It’s sad to say, but insurance companies will often give more respect to an attorney than they will to the person who was injured.[/pullquote] You shouldn’t have to go bankrupt just because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As far as pain goes, it’s important to communicate with your doctor. Don’t feel like you’re bothering them by telling them something isn’t working; they want you to speak up if something feels off. Some patients may also benefit from visiting a place that specializes in helping accident victims (a place like Charlotte Chiropractic). You do have options; you just may have to dig a bit deeper to find the best ones.
The Future
Once you’re well on the way to recovery, it’s time to start thinking about worst-case scenarios again, at least in one respect. With any luck, you’ll go through the rest of your life without falling off a ladder or getting hit by any falling pianos, but what if you don’t? In much the same way that buying a lottery ticket isn’t a retirement plan, crossing your fingers isn’t a life insurance plan. You need to look into obtaining the real thing from a place like OurLifeCovered.com.
You can’t be replaced, but the financial support you provide your family can be taken care of with a good policy. After the accident, it’s important to live life to the fullest extent possible without taking any unnecessary risks. And if you have a family, not carrying life insurance is both unnecessary and risky.
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The Past And Focusing On The Future After An Accident
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