Our Nebraska Car Accident Lawyers Offer These Tips for Managing Stress and Anxiety
The toll of a car wreck goes far beyond property damage and physical injuries. The mental and emotional harm can be extremely damaging and have a major impact on your life—especially if the incident happened because of another driver’s negligence.
At Beck & Beck, we understand that an auto accident can have a serious impact on your mental as well as physical well-being, and we’re dedicated to putting in the hard work to try to recover economic and non-economic damages for all you’ve suffered. Our skilled car accident lawyers strive for fair compensation, and we’ll do everything we can to help you so that you can focus on your health. Fortunately, there are some things you can do and resources you can turn to help manage stress and anxiety after a Nebraska car accident.
The Significant Impact of Stress and Anxiety After a Car Accident
It’s common for people to experience high levels of mental and emotional distress following a crash. The aftermath of dealing with a sudden crash, as well as the complications of recovering from physical injuries, is frightening, frustrating, and even devastating at times.
According to the Mayo Clinic, acute stress response (ASR) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common after events like these—and the severity of the accident doesn’t necessarily correlate to the traumatic response. In other words, even a seemingly minor collision has a major impact on how stressed you feel.
Common Stress and Anxiety Concerns
Health status. Medical bills. An inability to work, care for loved ones, or do daily tasks. Lost wages. Fear of driving. These and other issues are a lot to handle all at once, so it’s only natural to develop ASR and PTSD. So while your immediate physical stability is critical, it’s also important to not pass off how you think and feel as no big deal. Be diligent and watch for emotional and mental symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Exaggerated startle response
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Changes in thoughts and moods
- Avoidance of anything that reminds the person of the accident
- Changes in emotional reactions, including intense fear or sadness, or angry outbursts
- Physical symptoms as a result of the emotional distress
- Impact on a person’s relationships and social isolation
- Difficulty concentrating
What You Can Do to Manage Stress and Anxiety After a Nebraska Car Crash
Without question, this is a challenging process. You may experience different emotional stages, including denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and eventually acceptance. Yet there are some steps you can take to work through the process and reduce the toll stress and anxiety can have on your mental health.
First, remember that you’re not alone in this process. If someone else is responsible for your collision and you need to file a claim for damages, hiring the experienced Nebraska car accident attorneys at Beck & Beck provides peace of mind about the legal aspects of your case. It’s our job to provide trusted advice and help you fight for a fair settlement that includes paying for the professional mental help you deserve after the incident. Here are other steps we recommend:
- Seek help from a mental health professional. This individual assesses the severity of your stress and anxiety and shares options for counseling and, if necessary, medication. Make sure to keep all appointments during your recovery process.
- Join a support group or take courses on managing your stress or anxiety. Gaining mutual aid help and knowledge is a proactive approach to mental and emotional recovery after the accident.
- Focus on self-care. Be gentle with yourself and know that your anxiety and stress is real. Take time to care for yourself mentally and physically after the accident.
- Talk to trusted family or friends. Open up to individuals who understand how this time is challenging for you and provide you with much-needed reassurance.
- Journal or reflect on your experience. All emotions you experience after the accident are valid. Identifying and processing those feelings through writing or reflecting may help you move forward.
How to Get Back on the Road With Confidence
Experiencing stress and anxiety about driving again is a tangible side effect of a car crash. To help with this, consider:
- Enrolling in a defensive driving course before getting behind the wheel again.
- Bringing a friend or family member with you when you start driving again.
- Starting with short, simple outings until you’re more comfortable.
- Driving in a safe, low-traffic area to avoid close contact with other motorists.
How Beck & Beck Can Help After a Nebraska Car Crash
One thing you shouldn’t have to be concerned about is how to file a car accident claim. You also shouldn’t have to worry about investigating the crash, gathering evidence, talking with insurance adjusters, or negotiating for proper compensation. At Beck & Beck, all we focus on is auto accident law—so concentrate on your physical and mental health, and we’ll build a case to pursue the justice you deserve.