After a bad motorcycle crash, it can be hard to imagine that you’ll ever feel the same way about riding. The event’s stress, fear, and anxiety can result in severe trauma that may last for several months or even years.
However, these traumatizing moments are not permanent conditions. With the right resources and support, you can conquer them and get back into the saddle with no lingering problems.
If you were recently involved in a bad motorcycle accident, here’s how to get your life back on track.
Speeding Up the Recovery Process
According to NHTSA, motorists are more likely to die from injuries sustained in a traffic crash, unlike vehicle occupants. So, you should consider yourself very lucky if you survived a crash and take good care of yourself no matter the severity of your injuries.
Following your doctor’s advice and attending all therapy sessions are among the most effective ways to speed up your recovery after a crash. You will also want to eat a balanced diet to give your body the nutrients needed to repair damaged tissues.
Moreover, get plenty of rest and give yourself time to heal before you resume your normal activities completely. Don’t forget to do light exercises as they help keep your muscles and joints strong.
Following Up Compensation for Injuries Sustained
Medical bills, lost wages, utility bills, poor quality of life, and mental distress may take a toll on you after a motorcycle accident. Luckily, you can file a personal injury claim and recover compensation, especially if the accident that caused your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence.
Even though you can file an injury claim yourself, things might become a bit complicated while recovering from your injuries.
That’s why you need to let a local personal injury lawyer handle your claim or lawsuit. A skilled lawyer will handle every aspect of your claim until you get the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on recovery.
Overcoming the Fear to Keep Riding
It’s natural for any rider who has been through a serious wreck to experience memories or flashbacks of the traumatic events. Luckily, sharing your accident experience with family and friends can help you make things less overwhelming.
If you find it hard to cope with support from loved ones, getting professional help might be a good idea. A therapist can help you develop healthy mechanisms to cope with your fears and PTSD symptoms.
Other ways to help you overcome the fear to keep riding after surviving a life-threatening accident include:
Disassociating
If you still have your old motorcycle or use the same route where the accident occurred, you might frequently experience memories of your crash. Therefore, try to acquire a new bike, change your mode of transport, or use a different route when riding to stop this from happening.
Going Back to Basics
It doesn’t matter whether you were a pro biker before the accident. A motorcycle crash can shake up your confidence and even make you feel like giving up on bikes forever.
However, returning to the basics can help you overcome your fears and regain control. Therefore, you might want to start learning how to ride again, with safety being your number one priority.
Face Your Fears
While feeling scared after a motorcycle crash is natural, you shouldn’t let your fear hold you back from doing what you love.
Rather than avoiding fear by sheer willpower, try to face it by acknowledging its existence. Identifying its cause can make it easy for you to face it head-on.
But, Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself.
Even after recovering physically, your body might take time to heal. So, don’t push yourself by signing up for demanding cross-country races or hitting the highway at top speed right away.
Instead, start slowly by taking short slow rides in your neighborhood until you build your confidence.