Trauma from a car accident may deter you from wanting to drive again. Regaining the confidence to start driving may take time and patience.
Allowing yourself space to process your emotions is essential to your ability to recover from the trauma. Relying on the support of your family and friends may help you as you attempt to drive again following a traumatic car accident.
Ask for help
Just like your physical injuries require medical care and customized treatment, your emotional health may also need additional support. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, one way to cope with the trauma from your experience is to go to therapy. You can feel the depth of your emotions and express your concerns in a controlled environment. Professionals have the tools to help you identify triggers. They can also provide you with resources to ease emotional distress, as well as tools to work through complex side effects of trauma.
Untreated emotional trauma may prevent you from having the confidence to drive again which can impact your independence. Mental illnesses including depression and anxiety may derive from ongoing distress caused by trauma. Drawing upon professional therapy may give you the chance to work through your emotions before they turn into something worse.
Take it slow
When you feel ready to try driving again, you will need to take things slow. Some suggestions include the following:
- Ask someone to accompany you in the car
- Familiarize yourself with the controls again
- Practice driving in a traffic-free area
You should also allow yourself ample time to get to your location so you do not feel rushed which can impact your nerves. If someone else caused an accident because of negligence and you experience ongoing emotional distress as a result, you may choose to take legal action to help offset the costs of your recovery.