When you’ve been in a car accident, the physical effects are often at the forefront of your recovery. Treatment, medical bills, and rehabilitation are all extremely important aspects of your life post-car accident. But an often overlooked challenge is the psychological and emotional recovery you have to do after your car accident.
A car accident can be a traumatic experience, even if you or your passengers aren’t physically injured. Even experiencing a close call can have far-reaching implications for your emotional and psychological well-being. After being in one of these traumatic events, experiencing any type of anxiety is entirely understandable.
California Car Accident Lawyers Will Be There For You
The presence of fear and anxiety doesn’t have to stop you from ever driving again. While it may take time, you can eventually ease back into driving. Part of your recovery process can involve taking steps toward getting the benefits and support you are owed. In order to do this, our dedicated California car accident lawyers at Maison Law can help you.
We are proud to offer free consultations for car accident victims throughout California. Contact us today to get started.
Why Car Accidents Cause Anxiety
The reason you may need to ease back into driving after a car accident is that they frequently cause fear and anxiety. This is your body’s natural response to the trauma of the accident itself and is especially prevalent in accidents where you were seriously injured.
Another reason is that car accidents can be unpredictable and can happen suddenly, which can be unsettling. This can lead you to feeling a loss of control or extreme vulnerability in situations where you have to drive or be a passenger in a car.
In those cases, the anxiety may be related to fear of driving again or fear of being in a similar situation in the future. It is also common to feel anxious about dealing with insurance companies during the aftermath of the accident.
If your accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, that driver’s insurance company will be responsible for covering your losses. To achieve that, however, you will need to file a claim. The claims process can be difficult and anxiety-inducing because you will have to relive the incident.
How Can I Ease Back Into Driving After a Car Accident?
It’s understandable to feel anxious or nervous about getting back behind the wheel after a car accident, especially if the accident was severe. Here are a few steps you can take to ease back into driving.
- Take it slow – When you feel ready to drive solo again, start slow. A good way to do this is by driving short distances in familiar, low-traffic areas like an empty parking lot. Then, as you feel more confident, you can begin driving through a quiet neighborhood. If you still feel anxious about driving alone, consider asking a close friend or family member to ride along with you so that you so you’re not alone. This can also help you process feelings and any anxiety. As you work your way back into feeling more comfortable, you can begin driving in lower-traffic areas, and eventually busier roads and highways.
- Seek support – An extremely worthwhile endeavor after an accident is to seek the support of a therapist or a close friend or family member. A professional therapist can medically diagnose your anxiety and give you tools to work through any fears or concerns you may have about driving. Additionally, a close family member or friend can provide you with the emotional support you need to get behind the wheel.
- Consider taking a refresher driving course – Another worthwhile effort could be taking a refresher course for driving. These courses are very similar to driver’s education courses that are offered and can help you get back to the fundamentals of safe driving.
- Allow extra time for your trips – When trying to ease back into driving after an accident, it’s important to be patient. Don’t rush or feel pressured to get to your destination quickly. Allowing extra time can help reduce stress and give you more time to react to any unexpected situations.
Remember to take breaks and listen to your body. If you start to feel overwhelmed or unsafe, it’s okay to pull over and take a break. It’s important to take the time you need to feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel again.
How Much Is a Car Accident Injury Case Worth in California?
As with any claim for damages, a claim will need to be filed against the at-fault party to recover them. When dealing with the emotional distress and psychological fallout from a car accident, a specialist can determine just how extensive your damages are.
While a car accident can be very traumatic, everyone responds to this trauma differently. Still, there are some common markers for emotional distress from a car accident, such as:
- The development and diagnosis of depression or an anxiety disorder
- Difficulty sleeping
- Losing enjoyment of life and mental anguish
- Strained relationships with family or friends
Generally speaking, the more extensive your emotional and psychological damages, the more support you can receive from the at-fault party. The challenge here is determining just how extensive your emotional distress is. Usually, this is accomplished in the following ways:
- Testimony from you, your family, and your acquaintances to demonstrate how the car accident has taken an emotional toll on you.
- Having a doctor or mental health professional testify about the harm suffered in a clinical fashion.
Again, every car accident is unique. One constant that is present throughout each car accident, though, is a feeling of anxiety or emotional distress. This is a common response to trauma, and it’s perfectly understandable to feel this after an accident. The important thing, though, is to keep moving forward. One of the best ways to do that is to work on easing back into driving after the accident.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer Today
At Maison Law, we understand that the aftermath of an accident can feel just as traumatic as the accident itself. In these situations, you need all different types of support to get back on your feet. Whether it be physical, emotional, psychological, or financial, our team of experienced, dedicated California car accident lawyers will be there for you.
If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident in California, don’t hesitate to contact Maison Law to schedule a free consultation.
