The Road to Recovery: Navigating Personal Injuries and Reclaiming Your Life
Personal injury, no matter what type, can greatly alter your life physically, financially, mentally, and emotionally. The road to recovery can seem overwhelming and impossible. Below are a few of the things that can aid you in navigating your injuries and reclaiming the life you had pre-accident.
Understanding The Effects Of Your Personal Injury
There are several ways and places that personal injury can occur, but some of the most common causes are motor vehicle accidents. The injuries you sustain in a car, truck, bus, rideshare, and other accidents can affect your life in several different ways. Not only can injuries physically limit you, but you’ll likely have to cover many medical expenses in addition to your everyday utilities. It’s also likely that your injuries will require you to take days, weeks, months, and sometimes an infinite amount of time off of work. You might be required to use up your saved sick days or vacation time, or you may not be compensated at all, creating even greater financial difficulty.
Because of your physical limitations, you might also have to refrain from your normal routines, workouts, hobbies, and other leisurely activities. Pushing your body during a period of recovery can set the clock back or potentially worsen your injuries.
Seeking Medical Attention & Treatment
It is important that you seek help from a medical professional after you’ve been injured in an accident. Not only can they address the visible injuries, but they can ensure that there aren’t any invisible injuries like traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, and more. No matter what type of injuries you’ve obtained, a medical professional can recommend treatment, possible surgery, physical therapy, or rehabilitation. It is important to heed their directions with caution and ensure you’re following their guidance so that you cover fully and properly.
A doctor might also be able to diagnose PTSD, depression, or anxiety after an accident and recommend a method of treatment.
Unfortunately, the majority of these costs won’t be covered by your health insurance policy, so you might want to consider taking legal action to recover damages for the cost of your injuries. It is important to remember that visiting a doctor will provide you with medical evidence if needed for legal purposes.
Taking Legal Action
If the accident you were injured in wasn’t your fault, you’re entitled to take legal action. However, filing personal injury claims can be tricky, so it is best to work with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can listen to your story, help you file a claim, and investigate the evidence surrounding the accident. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor after you’ve been injured so you can supply the documentation as medical evidence in your case. Unfortunately, most insurance companies (even your own) will try to deny and devalue your injury claims. A skilled personal injury attorney, however, can help you fight for maximum compensation so you get a settlement that is worth the value of your injuries.
Remember, there is a statute of limitations on filing a personal injury claim in Florida, so you shouldn’t waste time.
Emotional Repercussions Of Personal Injury
We’ve addressed the physical and financial repercussions of an accident, but what about the emotional ones? Often the emotional effects of an accident get overlooked because they aren’t necessarily visible. However, motor vehicle accidents can be extremely traumatic, even if your physical injuries weren’t severe. It is hard to put a price on something that can last a lifetime. You might need to seek help from a mental health professional which is completely normal. If you’re experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, PTSD, or more there are a few strategies and coping mechanisms you can try, including but not limited to the following:
- Seek professional help – talking with a licensed specialist can allow you to better process what you’re feeling and learn how to live without it limiting you.
- Meditate – meditation is a simple and free way to channel your energy into a relaxing state of mind, keeping your focus off of what stresses you.
- Relaxation techniques – Implementing deep breathing into your daily routine can relieve you of anxious feelings.
- Engage in new activities – trying a new hobby or skill can help you maintain positive thoughts and habits, while also learning something new that keeps your mind off other negative thoughts or feelings.
- And more!
Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation
Depending on the severity of your injuries, physical therapy or rehabilitation might be a necessary part of your road to recovery. Physical therapy is a form of treatment that can help develop a plan to improve your ability to move and reduce or manage your pain. While it might be difficult to commit to a physical therapist’s recommended plan, it is crucial to follow their guidance so that you can recover quickly and completely. If you’re struggling to get yourself motivated, set weekly goals for your sessions, and challenge yourself to meet these goals consistently.
Getting Back To Life
Lastly, don’t give up. Dealing with accident injuries can be devastating, but it doesn’t have to ruin your entire future. Don’t let your injuries get the best of you on your recovery journey. Set realistic goals for each stage of recovery, and celebrate when you reach them. If you maintain a positive mindset, you will be able to accomplish so much more than if you let your injuries rule your life. Find safe ways to still participate in the things you love while navigating your personal injuries.
About The Florida Law Group
The Florida Law Group is one of Florida’s oldest and most reputable firms. We’ve got over 100+ years of combined legal experience under our belts, and we’ve recovered over $1 billion in damages for accident victims over the last 40 years. If you’ve been injured in an accident, we can help you get maximum compensation for what you’ve suffered. Call today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you!
