How to get back on the road after an accident
**A contributed post as written for The Safe Driver .
When we talk of accidents on the road, it’s usually in terms of the physical damage, both to the people involved and the vehicles. If the person walks away relatively unscathed – that is, only minor injuries – then the accident is assumed to be inconsequential. But there’s another side to car accidents, and that is the mental scars that can carry a person around. It should never be taken for granted that just because a person is still alive after a car accident that they’ll want to get in the car again. They might not. But they may have to. If you find yourself in this position, take a read of our tips below, and ease yourself back onto the road.
Talk it Out
You’ll have a lot of people coming up to you to say “so happy to hear you’re well after the accident.” But the truth is, you might not be entirely well under the surface. If that’s the case, then don’t smile and nod along – that won’t lead to anywhere good. Instead, talk it out with your friends and family members. If the issue is serious, then you might want to consider talking with a professional therapist. Keeping things bottled up inside won’t make anything better!
Get Closure
To move on from an accident, you need to put it behind you. But that’ll be difficult to do if you’re still dealing with the fallout; say, you’re continually spending money on hospital trips, car repairs, and so on. So work towards getting closure by making sure those people who were responsible for your accident are held accountable. To get the ball rolling, view page on how a law firm can help you to fight for your rights. It won’t undo the accident, but it’ll be an important step to putting it behind you.
Bring a Friend
There’ll come a time when you want to get back behind the wheel. However, be aware that it might not go as exactly as planned. You might feel nervous, or have some sort of flashback to the event. As such, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve got a friend sitting in the seat next to you. They’ll be there to reassure you that you’re doing everything right, and be a shoulder to lean on if you’re not quite ready and need to get out of the car.
Easy Drives
The other thing to remember when getting back in the car for the first time after an accident is that you should take it easy. Don’t go driving to work; there’ll be far too many other cars on the road. Instead, have a friend drive you out to a quiet neighbourhood, and practice your skills when there are no other cars on the road.
Work with an Expert
If you’re having great difficulty moving on, consider working with an expert, such as a driving instructor. They’ll be able to gently guide you through all the steps you need to take to find confidence on the roads.