A car accident can put you under a lot of stress, from the physical toll it can take on your body to the way the experience can be overwhelming and require you to speak with doctors, insurance companies, and more. It doesn’t matter whether you were in a small rear-end collision or a wreck that left your car totaled; the experience can have lasting effects that you might not even realize right away. When you find yourself searching for a “car accident doctor near me,” you want to find a caring team of highly knowledgeable and skilled doctors who can help support you through this whole process. Car accident doctors also understand more than most how much being involved in a wreck can end up causing negative effects that may last for a while.
Negative Effects of a Car Accident
The most obvious ways a car accident might affect you include scrapes, bruises, broken bones, or other obvious injuries. What is not as obvious includes how being involved in a car accident can take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being. Here are a few ways a car accident can negatively impact you.
Emotional Distress
A car accident can lead to emotional distress for anyone involved. Even if you weren’t at fault and you didn’t sustain a serious injury, you might still be traumatized from the event. A car accident can cause people to go into shock, or even trigger a fight or flight reaction due to the stress You might find yourself more irritable than usual in the hours and days after the accident. Some people even become wary of riding in a car again and try to avoid the same route where the accident took place.
Pain and Injury
You might not realize you were injured right after a car accident because your body is pumping with adrenaline as it reacts to this surprising situation. However, once your adrenaline starts to wear off you might start to experience some pain and discomfort that wasn’t there before. Many common car accident injuries are referred to as hidden injuries because it can take a while for all the signs and symptoms to show up after such a traumatic event.
Excessive Tiredness
The physical and emotional effects of being involved in a car accident can lead to excessive tiredness and fatigue afterward. Many times, this is your body’s way of telling you to slow down and give it time to recuperate. Making time for intentional rest can help give your body a chance to start the healing and recovery process. You might notice you are more easily tired or sleep for longer than normal in the days after a car accident.
Taking Care of Yourself After a Car Accident
The good news is there are plenty of ways to take care of yourself after a car accident so that you can fully heal and recover. Here are a few examples of how you can practice self-care and put your health and well-being first.
Rest and Relax
When you experience excessive tiredness and fatigue after an accident, then that is your body’s way of asking for rest. We live busy lives and it can be difficult to find the time to fully relax. However, rest and relaxation are often just what the body needs to fully recuperate after a stressful and painful experience like a car accident. While you might be tempted to go back to your regular routines as soon as possible, you want to be mindful of the signals your body is sending you and slow down for a bit.
Stay Hydrated
Your body needs water to function properly, and it is especially important to get enough to drink as you heal from a stressful experience like a car accident. Making time to regularly hydrate will help bring nutrients to any injured or damaged areas and support the healing process. In addition to keeping fluids in your body, you can also focus on healthy, nutritious meals to help support healthy habits and functioning.
See a Doctor
Don’t hesitate to look up a “car accident doctor near me” when you want to find comprehensive care and individualized treatment for any type of auto injury. Even if you don’t notice any pain or discomfort right away, a car accident doctor can give you a thorough examination and help ensure you are in good shape. Visit AICA Orthopedics in Atlanta to learn more about our highly skilled and supportive team of car accident doctors.