While being injured in an accident can cause great physical pain and trauma, there is also the psychological toll such an injury can take. In fact, mentally and physically, it can take years of active recovery to feel like the person you did before the accident. In some cases, your abilities can be permanently altered and you must learn how to use new tools and techniques to manage everyday tasks. However, the trauma of a personal injury doesn’t end there; many people who have suffered extensive physical injuries, can also experience mental and emotional repercussions that can last for years. Untreated, this can lead to depression, anxiety, or even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Following are a few tips that may help you if you have been through a traumatic injury from an accident. The tips are not meant to serve as legal or psychological advice, but nonetheless may help you move on from a difficult phase of your life.
Continue Medical Treatments
You have already received treatment in a hospital emergency room, but that is usually just the beginning. You will need to schedule many follow up visits with your physician, different specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and other providers well versed in helping you heal. It is important to continue showing up to appointments with your general practitioner, specialists, physical therapists, and other medical professionals. These appointments will help you feel your best, even if it can be challenging to show up. Your personal injury settlement or lawsuit should partially or completely cover your medical expenses, so don’t avoid treatment due to its cost. Further, you may have medical benefits from your own automobile insurer or health insurer available that you may not be aware of so make sure to ask an attorney about these benefits. Make a commitment to not just go to your appointments, but also commit to doing any home exercises or other treatment plans prescribed for you.
Hire a Mendota Heights Personal Injury Attorney
You may have heard how important it is to work with a Minnesota personal injury lawyer when pursuing a lawsuit, but it’s equally valuable to have hired an attorney before you speak to any insurance company. Insurance companies and their legal teams are in the business of making personal injury cases disappear. They will often try to settle your case out of court by offering a sum that might initially seem adequate, however, upon closer inspection, can be inadequate to cover your losses.
A Minnesota personal injury lawyer for car accidents and other incidents can help you think about the long-term implications of your injury, including how much ongoing medical treatment and lost wages will affect you. We’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to ensure a settlement actually covers the necessary expenses. In Minnesota, mediation or alternative dispute resolution is mandatory when attempting to settle a personal injury case. If the case cannot be settled at meditation, we are always prepared to pursue your case in court.
Attend Therapy to Overcome Fears
It’s common for personal injury victims to develop fears or phobias related to the cause of their injury. If you were injured in a car accident, you may fear driving. If your accident happened at night, it may affect your confidence driving at night. Victims of dog attacks often develop a persistent fear of canines, even if they used to be dog lovers.
Fear is a normal human response to pain and tragedy, but it shouldn’t dictate your life. If it’s left untreated, a fear can quickly turn into serious avoidant behavior. A therapist or counselor can help you use proven therapeutic techniques to overcome your fears over time. We just want you to know that many physical injuries also carry the emotional strain of remembering your accident.
Take Time to Heal from Your Trauma
Those around you may encourage you to move on, or – more bluntly – to “get over” your injury and get on with your life. If you’re still working through physical pain or intense emotions about your injury, don’t pay them any mind. It can be difficult for many people to understand just how life-altering a car accident, workplace accident, or violent crime can be if they haven’t experienced it firsthand. Experts know that it can take time to heal from these traumatic events. You aren’t required to justify your healing process to anyone; just focus on yourself and those people in your life who are positive influences.
If you recently experienced an injury due to another party’s carelessness, whether in a motor vehicle, as a pedestrian, at work, or in your day to day life, consider contacting the personal injury attorneys at Sieben Edmunds Miller. Our Minnesota personal injury law firm is committed to helping victims obtain fair compensation for their injuries, and our attorneys would be happy to discuss whether you have a potentially successful case. We’re dedicated to obtaining favorable outcomes for our personal injury clients. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
