In many cases, victims of serious car accidents face substantial medical bills compounded by the fact that they are unable to work to repay the bills. While injured persons people feel frustrated over their increasing debts, both medical and otherwise, a rush to return to work in order to make their monthly payments and begin repaying their medical bills can be damaging to your recovery. If you were seriously injured in a car accident, returning to work too quickly could actually make your medical condition worse. Seeking alternative methods of compensation, such as short or long-term disability, a home equity loan or help from family may be a better course of action. Listen to your medical providers if they recommend that you take a substantial amount of time off from work following your accident to completely heal and to prevent any more physical damage or additional injuries.
Physical Health
Always make sure that you are focusing on your physical health following a serious car accident. Follow the advice of the medical professionals and doctors that are evaluating your injuries and treating your medical conditions. A doctor typically does not lightly advise that injured persons stay off of work following a car accident. If they do, it is necessary for the patient’s health and recovery. If you make the decision to ignore a physician’s orders or instructions to limit your activity, it could result in a substantially longer process of healing or even permanent damage.
For example, if you had any kind of internal injuries that required surgery, or life-threatening injuries such as aortic dissections from a seat belt or airbag, you will need time to heal. Additionally, some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, ultimately end up being permanent. Always take the recommendation of your doctor or medical professional regarding when it is appropriate to return to work.
Emotional Health
Catastrophic car accidents often result in severe emotional trauma for victims. Never discount the emotional toll the car accident can take on a person. Research shows that up to 10% of car accident victims are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Take the time you need to heal emotionally as well as physically following a violent and traumatic car accident. Visiting with a mental health professional or therapist can help you heal in this area.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you are concerned about your finances following a car accident, there are options available to you. Depending on the nature of your injuries, you may be able to file a social security disability claim or access other insurance options. You should turn your medical bills into your health insurance company to pay as much as possible of your medical expenses to minimize the huge pile of mounting debt. You can then seek reimbursement from the negligent party’s insurance company once a settlement amount is reached.
At the end of the day, your health is always the most important consideration, and you deserve to receive compensation for your injuries, and pain and suffering. If you suffered any kind of injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence on the roadways, contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Griggs Injury Law at (816) 474-0202 today to help you get the legal advice you need.
