Getting through an accident is rough, you try and do anything and everything to just try and keep yourself safe, but it still seems like it doesn’t matter too much, right? Well, even if you walk away without any serious injuries, there’s this weird cloud that hangs around afterward. Your body might be okay, but your brain’s still trying to figure out what just happened. And the thing most people don’t tell you? You don’t have to bounce back right away. In fact, you shouldn’t.
The same goes for dealing with a major injury, you need to take your time to just take it in, deal with the trauma. But in all seriousness, taking your time after something traumatic isn’t being dramatic. It’s being real. Accidents mess with more than bones and bruises; well, they mess with your routine, your emotions, and your confidence. So go slow. Like, painfully slow if you need to.
Your Brain Needs a Minute
Well, multiple minutes, but you get the idea. Okay, so it doesn’t matter if it was a car crash, a fall, or some freak accident that came out of nowhere. When something shakes you up, your brain tries to protect you. It replays things on a loop, makes you jumpy, and keeps you on edge. It’s exhausting, even if you’re not physically doing much.
Basically, one day you’re fine. Next, you’re scared to drive, or your chest tightens, walking into the same spot where it happened. That doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your brain is still catching up. Give it some time. You’re not on anyone else’s schedule.
You have your own life to deal with, especially with this accident (and sometimes these can be life-changing).
It’s Okay to Lean on People
By all means, handling the emotional stuff is already a lot. Besides, throw in paperwork, insurance calls, weird medical bills, and in all honesty, it’s too much. Like, it’s pretty overwhelming at that point, right? Well, that’s where having someone who knows the system makes a difference. Like, this makes such a massive difference, too!
Actually, an experienced accident lawyer can take some of that weight off your shoulders. They’ll deal with the back and forth, while you just focus on feeling like a person again. Believe it or not, but it’s not about being “sue-happy,” it’s about making sure you’re not stuck handling everything alone while also trying to heal. Again, this is all overwhelming, and why should you suffer from this accident?
There’s No Race to “Feel Normal”
Okay, so this one’s big. Some people are back at work in a few days. Others need weeks or months to feel like themselves again. Now, sure, both are fine. It’s not a competition. There’s no medal for pretending everything’s okay when it’s clearly not.
Alright, so some days you’ll feel totally fine. Other days, brushing your teeth might feel like a big achievement. That’s normal. But really, please just remember that healing isn’t a straight line, and you don’t have to explain that to anyone.