Three million people are injured or disabled from car accidents in the US each year. In these situations, it’s important to remember that you can always replace your car, but you can’t replace your body.
Before you fall down the rabbit hole of calling insurance companies and auto repair shops, you need to seek medical help. This guide will take you through the steps you should follow after your car accident, from visiting urgent care to a full medical recovery.
1. Seek Urgent Care Immediately
Unless you have major life-threatening injuries that require emergency care, visiting an urgent care center is your best option. You must do this immediately following your car crash. The longer you wait to seek medical help, the greater your chances of prolonging your time to recovery.
2. Follow the Prescribed Treatment Plan
Depending on the severity of your injury, it is going to take a while to heal. Following your prescribed treatment plan will help expedite the healing process. Your urgent care physician might instruct you to do anything from rest to physical therapy and pain management.
Rest:
This is a vital component of any recovery regimen. Resting allows both your mind and body time to process and heal. It may be tempting to jump back into normal life, but you will be doing your body a disservice in the end.
Physical Therapy:
Daily stretching and light exercise can help to loosen tension and strengthen injured muscles. Always consult your urgent care physician about the level of exercise you should be doing during your road process.
Advanced Medical Treatments:
If the injuries you sustained are of a more severe nature, you may have to see a specialist or undergo minor medical procedures. These could include anything from pain management to minor surgery. Your urgent care physician will be able to discuss treatment options with you at the time of your visit.
3. Be Patient
Recovery is not going to happen overnight. Understand that several factors contribute to car accident recovery time. Some of these include:
- Age
- Injury severity
- Pre-existing injuries and medical history
- Ability to follow clinician’s advice
- Adequate rest
- Diet and eating habits
Be patient with yourself and practice healthy habits that encourage your body to repair itself. Avoid over-exerting yourself on days when your body feels a bit better, as this could hinder your recovery. Your urgent care physician will be able to guide you on when you can return to your normal activity level.
Post Accident Urgent Care
Car accidents are stressful and harrowing experiences, but the road to recovery doesn’t have to be. By seeking urgent care immediately, following your physician’s advice, and practicing patience, you are giving your body its best chance at a full and speedy recovery.
Do you require medical treatment from a recent injury or car accident? Please contact us to find out more about our urgent care services.
