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Categories5 Tips on Recovering From a Personal Injury
Every year in Missouri, hundreds of thousands of people are hurt in car crashes, slips and falls, and other personal injury incidents. In 2020, car accidents alone caused 47,894 people to be injured.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury incident, the way you manage your physical and emotional recovery can affect not only your long-term health but also your compensation claim. Being proactive can speed up the healing process and improve your likelihood of receiving greater compensation from the at-fault party.
Learn how to track your recovery process and win a fair settlement with the help of the Missouri car accident lawyers at Cofman Townsley.
1. Recognize the Severity of Your Injuries
The first step in your recovery should be understanding the scope of your injuries. This means visiting a medical professional as soon as possible after the accident for an evaluation and diagnosis. They’ll address visible wounds and use X-rays or MRIs to identify potentially dangerous injuries that aren’t immediately apparent.
Your healthcare provider will then create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. This ensures a customized recovery process and creates an essential medical record. This documentation can link your injuries to the accident, which will be crucial for insurance or legal claims.
2. Follow Your Healthcare Provider’s Advice
Follow your doctor’s advice and work closely with healthcare professionals throughout your recovery. For instance, your doctor may suggest seeing a physical therapist to help you improve strength and mobility. These professionals might meet with you a few times a week—make sure to attend all recommended appointments.
Doctors might also recommend talking to a counselor to help you with the emotional aspects of your injuries. A therapist can use techniques like Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) to address PTSD symptoms after the accident, or implement other treatments for anxiety and depression.
Make sure to keep all records and receipts related to your appointments. These appointments can underscore the severity of your injuries, demonstrate your commitment to healing, and improve your long-term well-being.
3. Balance Exercise and Rest
Balancing exercise and rest is essential to recovery. Your healthcare provider may advise you to start with low-impact exercises, like walking or swimming, to keep your muscles active without overstressing them.
You should also prioritize rest to give yourself time to heal. For example, after a 30-minute walk, take some time to recline or engage in a quiet, relaxing activity. Adjust this balance based on your body’s response and doctor’s recommendations to help you recover without causing excess fatigue or discomfort and pain.
4. Gradually Return to Activities
After an accident, gradually ease into your daily activities per your healthcare provider’s directions. If you’re returning to work, you may start with part-time hours, light-duty tasks, or an alternate job assignment.
For household tasks, begin with light chores and gradually take on more as your strength and stamina improve. You may need help from friends or family until you can return to performing tasks like cooking and cleaning on your own.
You should also take a longer break from intense exercise or sports to give your body more time to heal. This approach helps you transition back into your routine without overexertion or aggravating your injuries.
5. Document Your Symptoms and Track Your Progress
If you’re injured in an accident and it’s someone else’s fault, you may be dealing with insurance or legal issues alongside your physical recovery. Keeping track of your healing process can help you prove your case and secure a fair settlement. Take the following steps to strengthen your claim:
- Keep a Journal: In a daily journal, document your recovery. Record your symptoms, pain levels, and physical or mental conditions. A personal record can prove how the injury affects your quality of life and your daily struggles.
- Save All Medical Documents: Keep every medical bill, prescription receipt, therapy session note, and other healthcare-related documents. These provide a clear record of your medical expenses and treatments, helping us calculate your current and future needs.
- Photograph Your Injuries: Photograph your injuries regularly to create a visual timeline of your recovery. These images can serve as decisive proof of the extent and effect of your injuries.
- Log Missed Work: Keep a detailed log of any work missed due to your injuries. Include dates and notes on any lost wages or benefits, with pay stubs or letters from your employer.
- Collect Personal Statements: Ask family members or friends to write down what they’ve noticed about your recovery and how your injuries have impacted your daily life. These additional observations can offer valuable insights into the impact of your injuries on your daily life.
Following these steps will help you face the insurance and legal challenges that come with recovery, especially as some injuries may worsen over time. It also prepares you for any investigative measures taken by the at-fault party’s legal or insurance team.
For example, they might hire a private investigator to scrutinize your social media or observe your daily routines to try to minimize your claim. Thoroughly documenting every part of your recovery process protects your rights and helps secure the compensation you deserve following your accident.
Let Cofman Townsley Help You Recover After a Personal Injury Accident
Part of your recovery from a personal injury accident is receiving necessary medical care and financial support. Expenses for follow-up appointments, rehabilitation, and therapy quickly add up, and if you’re missing work, it can be hard to pay for these services.
The legal team at Cofman Townsley lets you focus on recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your case. We fight to get you a fair settlement so you can get the help you need to heal. Contact us today for a free consultation.