Because of their increased size and weight, tanker truck accidents often lead to expensive and painful injuries. Recovery following a truck accident can take many months or even years. Taking certain steps following an accident can help you speed up the recovery process. We’ll review a few of these helpful tips.
Story Stages
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The faster you find out what’s wrong, the faster you can begin your path toward recovery. Don’t let the adrenaline and fear of being in a car accident prevent you from seeking immediate medical care. Some injuries may not show up until later, and putting off medical treatment can be dangerous.
Report the Accident
You’re not alone if you don’t know what to do after an accident with a tanker truck. Most people don’t, which can lead to common mistakes, like failing to report the accident or not gathering necessary evidence while still at the scene of the accident. It’s crucial to report the accident as soon as possible. Contacting the local police will dispatch an EMS to assist with any injuries. The police will also create an official police report, which may be important if you file a lawsuit against the responsible driver later.
Follow Your Physician’s Orders
It’s crucial to follow your physician’s orders as directed. Continue taking any medication they prescribe and get plenty of rest until cleared. Your physician may limit your activity for a few weeks following the injury, which may include work. Try to follow these orders as closely as possible to avoid worsening your injury. You may need to take some time off from work or find someone to help with home or childcare duties.
Be Ready To Work Hard When Cleared
Physical therapy is often an important part of recovery following an injury. You may find physical therapy difficult and uncomfortable during the first few appointments. Be clear with your therapist and follow their directions. They may request that you continue working on exercises when at home, and keeping up with these can help you speed up your recovery.
Eat and Drink a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet can also help aid your recovery. Certain foods can help you control inflammation, like tomatoes, olive oil, leafy vegetables, and nuts. Other foods, like salmon and sardines, contain nutrients essential to rebuilding damaged tissue. Of course, make sure you talk about your dietary needs and restrictions with your physician before making changes to your diet.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is important for recovery. When you’re sleeping, your body reduces cortisol, which helps your body recover faster. Try to get as much sleep as possible. If your injury prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep, talk with your physician. Making minor adjustments to your bed or changing your sleeping position could help you improve your sleep quality.
Know When To Talk to a Lawyer
Recovering from a truck accident isn’t just uncomfortable, but it can also be expensive. You may lose out on wages if you have to take time off from work. You may have to pay out of pocket for medical bills or copays. Temporary childcare or transportation costs can also be high. If a commercial truck driver was negligent and responsible for the accident, then they may owe you money. The best way to explore your legal options and eligibility is to talk with a truck accident lawyer. Try not to wait too long since Tennessee laws only allow you to seek compensation following a truck accident for a maximum of one year.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Being the victim of a tanker truck accident can be life-changing. Certain accident injuries can prevent you from working, which adds financial stress to the situation. Your injury may also prevent you from enjoying some of your favorite hobbies. Some injuries also have life-long consequences, meaning the accident will stay with you for the rest of your life. If you’re struggling to accept and overcome the accident or injury, talking with a counselor could also be helpful. Ask your physician for recommendations for counselors who work with accident victims.
Learn to Recognize Improvement
Recovering from a truck accident, you can expect both improvement and setbacks. Recognizing improvement and how far you have come can help you handle setbacks better. For some, keeping a journal with progress may be helpful so you can track your journey.
Recovering from any accident can be lengthy, painful, and expensive. It can challenge your mental health and even affect your sleep. It’s important to keep in mind that recovery is a long process, and many people can expect setbacks. Certain steps can help you speed up recovery and begin your life post-accident, like working closely with your physician and staying positive.
