Recovering from a truck accident is one of the most challenging experiences a person can go through.
Not only are injuries severe but life changing. Emotionally it takes a toll on everyone involved. So what’s next? How do you begin to pick up the pieces?
Here’s the deal.
Making the right lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on an accident survivor’s recovery. Simple, logical tweaks to your day that are backed by science and will help you heal faster.
What you’ll learn:
- Why Truck Accident Injuries Are Unique
- Rehabilitative Lifestyle Habits
- How Physical Therapy Can Help
- Emotional and Mental Support for Recovery
- Creating a Recovery Support System
Why Truck Accident Injuries Are Unique
When we say truck accident, we mean it.
Unlike typical passenger vehicle accidents, semi trucks and 18-wheelers bring a whole new level of damage to the road.
Here are the facts: Trucks weigh 20-30 times more than an average passenger car. When they collide with another vehicle, the results are catastrophic. Injuries take longer to heal and often require extended medical care.
Accident survivors are left with more than just bruises and sore spots. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and serious soft tissue trauma are common. Working with an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney can help victims of truck accidents get the compensation they need to pay for costly medical treatments. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer knows how to navigate these situations and will fight to get you what you deserve to recover.
Point being, truck accident injuries need to be taken seriously and require a holistic recovery plan.
Rehabilitative Lifestyle Habits
Want to heal quicker?
The lifestyle habits you adopt after an accident are critical to your recovery. These habits lay the foundation for a successful recovery after an accident.
Start with sleep. When you’re sleeping is when your body works on repairing damaged cells. Make sure you get 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night and try to keep your sleep schedule consistent.
If you want to recover quicker from an accident, consider making these lifestyle changes:
- Get plenty of rest, but don’t become sedentary
- Follow doctors and medical professionals’ orders
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco use
- Take your medications as prescribed
- Attend all follow up appointments
Recovery is a commitment. It won’t happen overnight, but these small decisions each day add up to big changes.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
Physical therapy should be every accident survivors workout regimen.
Don’t skip this step. Research shows that 79% of physical therapy patients experience pain relief after starting physical therapy. What’s more? Physical therapy has been shown to decrease opioid use by 87%.
Decreasing the use of opioids while managing pain is a win-win for accident survivors.
Physical therapy can help with:
- Pain management
- Regain mobility
- Rebuild muscle tissue lost from being bedridden
- Improve your balance to prevent future accidents
- Return to your normal, everyday life quicker
Typically, soft tissue injuries can take 6-8 weeks to heal with routine physical therapy. More extreme injuries like broken bones and spinal damage can take months to upwards of a year to recover.
Bottom line. Get started with physical therapy as soon as you’re able. The longer you wait, the bigger chance your body has to set in stiffness and improper movement patterns.
Emotional and Mental Support for Recovery
Let’s talk about something we don’t usually mention…
Recovering from an accident takes a toll on your mental health as well. Dealing with the emotional trauma after a truck accident is hard on the mind and body. Survivors experience anxiety, depression, and sometimes PTSD.
This is normal. Your brain reacts to traumatic events by releasing stress hormones. These hormones don’t just disappear because you tell yourself too. Leaving these feelings untreated can lead to long-term depression.
But there is good news!
You don’t have to suffer in silence. Options for mental health support include:
- One on one therapy with a trauma focused therapist
- Trauma support groups with other accident survivors
- Practicing mindfulness with meditation and deep breathing exercises
- Journaling your thoughts and emotions
- Gradually exposing yourself to driving again when you’re ready
Physical recovery will take time. But making sure your mental health is looked after is just as important as your physical recovery.
Creating a Recovery Support System
You don’t have to go through recovery alone.
One of the best ways to set yourself up for long term recovery success is to build a support system. A group of people you know will have your back and assist you with your recovery.
Family and friends. Your immediate circle can help you with day-to-day tasks. Running errands, driving you to medical appointments, or even just spending time with you when you’re having a bad day.
Medical professionals. From your doctors to your physical therapist and occupational therapists. These are the professionals who will lead you through your recovery process.
Your lawyer. Recovering from an accident can take a toll on your bank account. Having legal help to fight for maximum compensation allows you to focus on your recovery without worrying about how you’re going to pay.
Remember…
Any accident can change your life in an instant. Don’t let your recovery do it alone. Ask for the help you need and accept it when its offered.
Putting It All Together
Life after an accident takes time, patience, and dedication.
Your body needs the right kind of fuel to heal. And that means more than just popping over-the-counter pain meds. Implementing healthy lifestyle habits, physical therapy, and getting your emotions in check are all important to your recovery.
By preforming daily habits that encourage healing, you can improve your recovery outcome
Remember:
1) Truck accidents cause serious injuries that take time to heal.
2) Nutrition and sleep play a huge role in recovery.
3) Physical therapy helps decrease your pain and reliance on medications.
4) Dealing with the mental trauma of your accident is just as important.
5) Build a support system that you can trust to help you recover.
Recovering from a serious accident is no walk in the park. But by putting positive daily habits into place you can get your life back on track.
One step at a time adds up to big improvements. Start today and remain consistent. You’ll be amazed at what your body can do.
