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What To Do If A Family Member Gets Into A Car Accident

August 30, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

For anyone, hearing that their family member has been in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience. It’s important to understand the best way to deal with such news, so you can be there for your family member and support them in the best way possible. It won’t be solved overnight, and may require a fair amount of time to sort out.

Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do if your family member gets into a car accident.

Stay calm and collected

Both you and your family member should stay calm and collected. Focus on your breathing, and get it back on track by taking deep breaths in and out.

Once you are more level headed, think about what just happened. If your family member is calling you and letting you know that they were in an accident, things could always be worse. You’ve heard about collisions where people wound up in comas, or worse, and your loved ones are speaking to you on the phone.

Check for injuries

The chances are that you will be driving to the scene of the accident as soon as you receive the phone call. Once you arrive, you should check for any apparent injuries.

Even if the accident was minor and you don’t notice anything right away, you should still visit your doctor for a check-up after the fact, as an extra safety measure.

Take action and contact the right authorities

The police should be contacted right away when you arrive at the scene of the car accident. They can draft a legal report about what happened, and your family member will need this when they are sending a claim to their insurance company.

Your loved ones should also use this opportunity to get the contact information and vehicle registration details from the other party.

Talk to your family member about the accident

An accident of any form can also cause people trauma, and you must demonstrate to your family member that you are there for them during this time. Even if they don’t show it, they are likely still in shock over what happened.

Communication between family members can reduce stress and increase happiness. You will even walk away from this situation having formed stronger bonds with one another.

Contact a lawyer

If your loved one became severely injured as a result of an accident that wasn’t their fault, and they now have to pay hefty hospital bills, it’s time to contact a lawyer. A lawyer can ensure you get the appropriate compensation for your injuries.

Your bank account shouldn’t have to suffer, and you shouldn’t go into debt because of a car accident that wasn’t your family’s fault.

No one wants to be in a car accident, but it may happen to you or someone you know at one point in your lifespan. The key is to be adequately prepared when you are faced with this situation.

Helping Your Child Cope After an Accident

May 17, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Car accidents are traumatic for anyone involved, but particularly for children. Not only will they have their own injuries to cope with, but they’ve also got to experience their caregivers being injured. Children need their parents for safety and security and seeing them injured can make them feel insecure. If your child is involved in a car accident, they’re going to need your help to recover. Here are a few ways you can help them get back on track.

Look Out for Signs of Trauma

Not all children react to such an experience in the same way. Some will be able to shrug it off quite quickly, while others may take a long time to recover. As a parent, you need to be vigilant for signs that your child is not recovering from the trauma. For younger children, it can be a return to more infantile behavior such as bed-wetting and sucking their thumb. If your children are older symptoms can include nightmares, headaches, behavior problems and symptoms of depression.

Be a Good Listener

It’s important for you to offer support by being a good listener. You might think your child doesn’t understand what’s happening to them, but if you take the time to listen to their concerns, they might surprise you. By talking about what happened and how they’re feeling, you will be helping their recovery.

Watch for Signs of PTSD

PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is something your child can develop following an accident, so it’s important you look out for the signs. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares or anxiety. Let them know it’s nothing to worry about and is a normal reaction to trauma while at the same time encouraging them to get back to their normal routine. It’s also important for you to understand that they might not recover without additional therapy and you can make sure they receive it.

Get Legal Help

Your child may need professional counseling or therapy, and they may also need medical care to help them recover from their injuries, all of which are very expensive. You might be entitled to claim for compensation, in which case you’re going to need legal help. If you want to know more about making a compensation claim for whiplash or any other injury visit www.the-compensation-experts.co.uk.

Look After Yourself

Your child may be feeling distressed after the accident, but you’re going to be feeling it too. You’re going to be better prepared to help your child’s recovery if you pay attention to your own feelings and reactions. Take positive steps to take care of yourself such as seeking support from friends, family, and professionals. Find time to relax, exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and make sure you’re getting enough sleep.

It is possible for children to recover from the trauma of an accident as long as they’ve got the love and support of those around them. Sometimes all that’s required is for someone to listen. There are, however, instances when a little more support is required in the form of mental health therapy. Don’t be afraid to reach out for external help when your child has been involved in an accident. Getting help from outside the family can speed up recovery times.

Tips to Help You Recover After a Car Accident

January 22, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Thousands of people around the world are injured every day in car accidents. The injuries suffered can range from a few minor scrapes and bruises to far more serious injuries. It’s not just the body that gets injured either. Thousands of people suffer severe mental trauma following an accident. The recovery process can be very long, however, every situation is different. It is possible to help the recovery process along and here are some tips to help.

Get the Best Care

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’re going to need the best medical attention for your recovery. Things aren’t going to get better on their own, and you’re going to need medical care. Get yourself checked out as soon as possible after a car accident as ongoing medical treatment may be required.

Get Plenty of Rest

Rest plays an important role in the healing process, and you’re not going to help yourself if you push yourself too hard. For the first couple of days after the accident you can spend time in bed, but after that, it’s important you get yourself moving. The simple act of moving around plays a crucial part when you’re recovering from injuries or surgery.

Find a Respected Lawyer

Finding a reputable lawyer will mean you can concentrate on healing and recovering while they get on with making a claim for spinal injury, broken limbs and damage to your vehicle. The insurance company will be handling your claim, but a lawyer is be able to help you negotiate the process, help with communications and represent you throughout the proceedings.

When to Start Driving Again

For many people, getting back into a car for the first time can be very traumatic. The symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can last much longer than any physical injuries. There are various coping strategies you can use, but you should take it slow. At least for a while, you should avoid circumstances that will trigger your emotions. Remember that your emotional wounds will heal in time, but you have to take things slowly.

Take it Slow and Steady

You can’t rush the recovery process and may be doing more harm than good if you try to do it. It’s vital that you take things slow and listen to people who are offering their advice. This might include your doctors, lawyers, and people who are close to you. Take each small step one at a time and you’ll make much better progress.

When to Seek Additional Help

If, after 3 months, your life has not returned to normal then you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. It doesn’t happen to everyone, but if it happens to you it can be very worrying. You might be experiencing extreme anxiety and disturbing irrational thoughts and fears. Some people have flashbacks, dreams about the accident or feel like they’re in a daze. If you’re experiencing any of these feelings, you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You may be referred to a psychologist, social worker, counselor or psychiatrist for additional support.