As a parent, your first instinct is to protect your family in any situation, including a dreaded car accident. Every 16 minutes, a fatal car accident occurs on the roadways. This is only a small percent of car crashes that happen to drivers and their families every year. Even without any grievous harm or fatalities, experiencing a car accident with your family can leave lasting impressions, including emotional and financial consequences.
Every year, car crashes cost families $242 billion. Individually, this means a cost of $784 for every American or as much as $78,900 for car crashes without any fatalities. While they are sadly common, car crashes can also also be incredibly traumatic for you and anyone involved.
Life after an accident can look different, and may take some adjusting to. However, if you and your family have been in a car crash recently, the good news is there are ways you can support each other as you try to return to normalcy, and a good car accident attorney can help.
Speak To A Personal Injury Lawyer To Assert A Case For Damages And Medical Support
There is no question that a car accident can be devastating for both your health and your finances.
The impacts of the accident are also often aggravated by the worry of how to pay for the repairs or cover medical bills for injuries from the crash. In addition to filing an insurance claim after the accident, consider whether you will need an attorney. The best way to know this is to contact one for a quick talk about your case and its specifics.
Many of them offer free consultations and can provide valuable information on the process of filing a personal injury case or the timeline for a car accident lawsuit. For instance, according to Lopez Law Group, the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Texas is two years.
However, in New York, the statute of limitations is three years. You may also want to speak to several attorneys before choosing one. Some law firms offer a no win, no fee promise, which can help you if you are cash strapped.
Turn To Professional Help To Deal With Trauma And Anxiety If Needed
According to the National Institute of Health, almost 40 percent of crash survivors go on to experience post-accident phobias like the fear of getting in a car again, anxiety, or panic attacks.
They also say that moderate or high levels of anxiety are not uncommon for up to several months after a car accident. Similarly, millions of car accident victims go on to experience PTSD or Acute Stress Disorder in the weeks following the accident. While they may not immediately present themselves, it is always helpful to know the warning signs of mental trauma and when you may need to get help.
If it does get to the point where you think a family member may need professional help dealing with trauma from the accident, it may be time to speak to a therapist that specializes in trauma or car crashes.
Resources like The American Psychological Association’s Psychologist Locator Tool can help you find a professional near you and that matches your needs (such as someone who works with children after traumatic events).
Based on the initial consultation with your counselor, they will recommend an appropriate course of treatment, such as cognitive processing therapy, self-hypnosis, or relaxation therapy.
Encourage Your Family To Speak About The Experience
Lastly, try to get your family members to open up about their car accident experience.
It is common – and understandable – why many car crash survivors choose to keep their experiences to themselves and push them down. However, talking about it may help you deal with the accident as a family. If you have children, this can be particularly helpful so that you can support them as they move on from the incident.
Make the occasion a low pressured and casual one so that everyone feels calm. It may also help if you share your feelings about the accident, so you can all heal from it as a family.
Don’t forget self-care.
You must not forget to address your needs, even if you were not in the car with your family at the time. Find pockets of time to get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and practice stress relief techniques regularly, such as exercise or meditation. After all, you cannot pour from an empty cup.
