People can suffer a range of injuries when they’re involved in car accidents, from minor injuries to more serious injuries. In some cases, the victims of car accidents might be left with permanent disabilities and a greatly reduced quality of life. In addition to physical injuries, many victims of serious car accidents also experience psychological and emotional trauma. If you have been injured, you might wonder, “How long does it take to recover from a serious car accident?” Scroll down to learn some important information about the recovery process.
How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Serious Car Accident?
Right after you’ve been involved in a crash, you’ll likely wonder, “How long does it take to recover from a serious car accident?” The length of your recovery will depend on multiple factors, including the severity and types of your injuries. People with minor injuries might recover from a crash within a matter of weeks. But unfortunately, people who suffer serious injuries might face a recovery process that lasts for months or years.
When people have been seriously injured in a catastrophic crash, psychological and emotional injuries are also common. The emotional fallout from a serious car crash can also take months or years to recover from, and the combined physical and emotional injuries a victim might suffer could result in substantial economic and non-economic losses.
Common Injuries in a Serious Car Accident
The types of injuries that you might suffer in a serious car accident depend on multiple factors, including whether you were wearing a seatbelt, the angle and area of impact, where you were seated, the speed of both vehicles, and more. The following are some of the most common injuries that result from serious car crashes:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Leg and arm fractures
- Thoracic injuries
- Skull fractures
- Serious lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Amputations
- Avulsions
- Internal bleeding
- Burns
- Death
Psychological injuries are also common. Many people develop anxiety disorders, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following serious car accidents. These psychological injuries might last long after the victim has recovered physically and require ongoing counseling, therapy, and medical attention.
What to Do to Shorten the Recovery Time
If you’re facing a lengthy recovery process, you likely want to know if there is anything you can do to help shorten it. The healing process for certain injuries will be lengthy no matter what you might do, but the following steps might help you recover as fast as you can:
- See a doctor immediately after your crash. Delaying treatment can allow your injuries to worsen rapidly.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations for follow-up care, and keep every appointment.
- If you receive advice for lifestyle changes or at-home exercises, follow through.
- Complete rehabilitation or physical therapy if recommended by your doctor.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Make sure to get enough sleep every night.
- Attend counseling for psychological symptoms.
- Consider complementary therapy to decrease stress, including meditation or yoga.
While these steps won’t guarantee you’ll fully recover, they can help you recover as much as possible and reduce the chances that your injuries will worsen.
Dealing With Medical Bills After a Serious Accident
Injuries from a serious car crash can leave you with a mountain of medical debt. You might also be unable to return to work for weeks or months, if not permanently. If your crash was the other driver’s fault, you should consider working with an experienced attorney to help you access the resources you need. An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company for you and handle all aspects of your claim while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
By filing a car accident claim, you might be able to recover the following damages:
- Compensation for your past and future medical expenses
- Past lost wages
- Future reduction in your earning capacity
- Physical therapy costs
- Assistive devices
- Vehicle repair/replacement costs
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of the ability to enjoy life
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer
If you are dealing with serious injuries after a car crash that you believe was someone else’s fault, you should reach out to the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave. Call us today to schedule a consultation at 417-322-2222 or contact us online.