Recovering From Injury: A Victim’s Guide

Being a victim of injury is something that many of us have experienced, and that many more of us dread! The trauma of the incident itself, combined with the pain, and the rigors of treatment and surgery can be severe to bear! Then there is the money lost to days off work, and the extra cost of therapies that you never thought you would need to deal with as well. In fact, for someone people being involved in an accident can change their whole lives, and not for the better. Luckily, there is a way to remain strong and get through to the other side. A topic you can find out more about in the post below. 

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Coping in the moment 

In the split second when an injury occurs there is often nothing we can do to prevent it. However, the way we act in the direct aftermath can have a significant effect on both our experience and our recovery. 

In particular, ensuring our own safety is paramount, something that can be difficult when we are distracted by pain, or when we see another in danger. It's also crucial for us to seek out medical treatment as soon as possible. In fact, for many injuries, prompt treatment can make a considerable difference to the damage that is done, as well as reduce healing times. 

Knowing what to expect with medical treatment  

Once it is safe to do so, and if your injury is a serious one it's likely you will be taken to hospital for assessment and treatment. In an accident situation, this usually following a set number of steps, the first being when the ambulance people arrive to provide on the spot care, and often pain relief. It is also the ambulance crew that will work in tandem with the police and the fire service to ensure that the situation is made as safe as possible both for you the injured party and for everyone else involved as well. 

Once the ambulance crew has stabilized you, and assess your injuries, they will usually rush you back to the hospital for further treatment. This often involves being placed on a gurney in the back of the ambulance, frequently with one of the paramedics with you to keep an eye on your condition and administer any medication that you might need during the journey. 

Once you reach the hospital, you will be taken to the emergency department, where the seriousness of your injuries will be assessed once more so they can ensure the people that need treatment the most urgently are the first to receive it. Therefore, when your condition is more serious, you will be taken to a treatment room or operating theatre immediately. 

After any urgent issue have been treated, and you are considered stable, you will be given a bed in the main hospital to recover in. The length of time you may need to stay can vary depending on how quickly you make a recovery, and whether you encounter any complications with your treatment. Then once you have the go-ahead to go home, you will usually be asked to come back as an outpatient for regular check-ups to see how our injury is healing, as well as for any additional treatment sessions that are indeed. 

Of course, it's also worth bearing in mind that during your stay you can ask for a second opinion regarding the care that you received at any time. Something that many people forget until they have left the hospital building, and can be beneficial if you are unsure of the recommendations you are currently receiving. You may also be able to give a power of attorney to your relatives in case you are in a situation that requires an important decision, but you are unconscious, or not able to make it. 

Coping financially 

Of course, far from the struggle being over and done with as you leave the hospital, for many victims of injury it is only just beginning. This because the treatment that they received will be billed to them, something that may mean they need to take out medical credit to cover their bills. Add to this the fact that many people that are injured cannot return to work straight away, or even for an extended period of time and it's easy to see why so many people struggle financially after an accident has befallen them. 

To that end its vital to search for a legal advocate that has an impressive track record in personal injury cases. After all, claiming back compensation from those whose fault the injury was is the best way to cover the unexpected cost and the financial strain that an accident can cause. 

The psychological and emotional effects 

Sadly, when it comes to being involved in an accident, it's not all about coping in the moment, the aftermath, or even the financial burden. This because being injured can have an emotional and psychological effect as well. 

In particular, it can be widespread for injured parties to experience a condition known as PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder. This is when thoughts, images, and flashbacks of the incident intrude into their day to day life and traumatize them all over again. Something that can make it hugely difficult to function and have a good quality of life. 

Happily, there are some effective therapies for conditions such as PTSD such as trauma-focused CBT were the therapist will guide you through remembering the experience, and help you to manage your emotions. 

Alternatively, there is also EMDR which is a type of therapy that uses rapid eye movement along with bringing the particular incident to mind. The idea being that the distraction allows the brain to process and file away the experience correctly, so it is no longer lodged in the psyche and gets trigger over and over again, even in situations that aren't actually dangerous. It can, therefore, be a valuable tool for victims wishing to recover and get on with their lives, after being involved in an accident and falling victim to an injury.