A traumatic accident can upend your life in an instant. One moment you’re going about your daily routine, the next finds you in the emergency room facing an uncertain future.
But having survived the initial trauma, how do you now move forward into recovery? Let us find out.
Analyzing Trends in Fatal Car Crashes by State
The summer season brings higher risks of fatal car accidents across many parts of the United States.
After reviewing the latest crash data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, it is evident that the overall number of deadly summer crashes has decreased nationwide. However, some states have witnessed concerning rises in fatal wrecks occurring in June, July, and August.
Key findings from the data show that Alaska, New Hampshire, and Wyoming experienced the greatest percentage increases in fatal summer accidents. Half of all U.S. states saw a growth in the number of lives lost on the roads during the warmer months.
Drivers can help protect themselves by minimizing distractions, controlling their emotions, ensuring proper insurance coverage, and obeying all traffic laws and regulations.
In terms of raw numbers, California unfortunately continued to lead the country, with over 1,000 individuals killed in crashes from June to August last year. However, even California managed to record a drop compared to the prior summer period. Overall, across America, summer traffic fatalities came down by a little over 3% between 2021 and 2022.
South Dakota stands out for posting the sharpest percentage reduction at 24%. Iowa and the states of South Carolina and Louisiana also made promising double-digit percentage decreases. Meanwhile, summertime driving deaths are still climbing year-on-year in as many as 25 states.
Alaska witnessed the biggest surge, up to a 44% rise, followed by increases of 42% in New Hampshire and 26% in Wyoming. Arkansas endured the biggest numerical change, with summer crash victims growing by 22 people, from 150 casualties to 172.
With these concerning trends in some regions, all motorists will need to stay extremely vigilant in the upcoming months.
How to Recover and Get Better After a Car Accident?
Seek Legal Help So That You can Focus on Your Health
After a car accident, it can be beneficial to hire a personal injury attorney to handle the complexities of a lawsuit while you concentrate on healing and recuperating. An expert attorney can look into the collision, get in touch with insurance providers, work out a just compensation plan, and figure out the losses you have sustained.
A serious injury can have a significant and devastating effect on the victim and their family, according to TorHoerman Law. Personal injuries often cause immense stress and overwhelm those affected. Attorneys understand the traumatic aftermath of accidents and fight tirelessly to protect the rights of accident victims, working to recover all financial losses resulting from the incident.
In addition to monetary compensation for their losses, victims are entitled to recompense for the emotional distress they have experienced.
Take, for example, a tragic incident in St. Louis. Nine-year-old Codi Walker and his twin brother Cori, along with their three siblings and mother, Antanette Jackson, had planned a fun day at Hickey Park. However, Jackson said they had been at the north St. Louis park for only 10 minutes before their day took a devastating turn.
According to witnesses, Kevin Johnson, 50, was driving a truck at high speed on North Broadway, close to Harlan Avenue. He collided with the rear of Jackson’s van, trapping her son between the two vehicles.
Jackson described the incident, saying it happened so quickly. She had just gotten her children out of the car, and there was no traffic on the road. Codi should have been able to go to the park and enjoy himself with his brothers. She knew he must have been scared. In such cases, a skilled St. Louis personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable assistance to fight for justice.
Managing Emotions Through Mindfulness
The period after an accident brings immense stress and a wide range of difficult emotions. Practicing mindfulness can help you cope healthily during recovery. Remind yourself that what you feel is natural, and strive for self-compassion through acceptance.
When anxiety strikes, bring awareness to your breathing and focus wholly on inhales and exhales. This grounds you in the present moment instead of spiraling thoughts about the past or future. Take time regularly to acknowledge inner experiences without judgment.
While aiming to resume daily activities, also prioritize inner well-being. Do small things each day that bring you calm or joy. Nourish your mental health as diligently as your physical health. Remember that healing is a process that deserves patience and kindness – especially self-love.
Coping with PTSD After an Accident
Suffering from PTSD following a traumatic car accident can make recovery feel overwhelmingly difficult. However, with the right professional support, people can effectively manage their symptoms. Seeking counseling from a therapist specializing in trauma-related conditions is highly recommended.
Common treatment approaches for PTSD aim to process the emotional and psychological impacts of the event.
Cognitive behavioral therapy assists patients in recognizing and addressing harmful thought patterns associated with their trauma. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing allow gradual exposure to distressing memories and emotions in a controlled manner. Supportive therapy creates a safe space to discuss feelings in detail and gain perspective.
Other effective strategies include acceptance and commitment therapy, which aids in facing avoidance behaviors, and dialectical behavior therapy, with its skills training to regulate emotions. The goal is to lessen unhelpful responses to triggers over time by altering underlying beliefs and learning new coping mechanisms.
While PTSD symptoms can feel permanent at the moment, recovery is possible with a combination of psychotherapy and, if appropriate, temporary medication.
Locating a caring trauma specialist and committing to regular sessions can make a significant difference in quality of life. With compassionate guidance, individuals learn to manage distress rather than let it control their daily activities and relationships.
Pursuing Safe Driving After an Accident
As you continue recovering physically and emotionally, resuming driving may bring anxiety. When you feel ready, strengthening defensive driving skills can help manage risk.
Stay focused, alert, and relaxed behind the wheel. Avoid distractions, drowsiness, and impaired judgment from substances. Buckle up, focus on repairs, and drive within limitations.
Defensive drivers practice proactive safety. They scan ahead for changing conditions, anticipate other drivers’ behaviors, and keep a following distance. This readies them to respond appropriately to potential hazards.
Many states offer defensive driving courses designed to refine such techniques. Completing one could qualify you for auto insurance discounts. However, the greatest benefits come from the consistent application of safe habits on every trip.
Over time, defensive mindsets become second nature. Road awareness and caution help circumvent accidents entirely.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to heal from trauma?
The typical healing process involves the body calming down from a state of heightened arousal. This means internal alarms deactivate, energy levels decrease, and the body returns to a balanced state. Generally, this process should be completed within about one month after the traumatic event.
2. How can I speed up trauma recovery?
Trauma survivors who practice excellent self-care can learn to prioritize their needs and concentrate on their rehabilitation. Self-care practices are based on compassion and self-love, albeit they differ for each individual. Examples involve watching an old favorite movie, having a nice meal, taking an unwinding bath, and listening to music.
3. Can someone fully recover from trauma?
Trauma can be emotional, mental, physical, or sexual and can happen once or repeatedly. Full recovery from any traumatic experience is possible, though it may take time. Ultimately, the effort to live free from trauma symptoms is worthwhile.
In conclusion, the road to recovery is long, but focusing each day on getting stronger physically and mentally will help ensure you can put this experience behind you. While the trauma may always stay with you in some way, prioritizing your health and happiness going forward will allow you to thrive despite what you’ve endured. Have faith in your resilience – you’ve already proved how tough you are by making it this far. Brighter days are ahead.
