A bad motorcycle crash can result in serious injuries requiring days or even weeks in the hospital followed by a lengthy rehabilitation process. But it’s not just the physical injuries that will make you think long and hard before getting back on your motorcycle again. The psychological trauma you have experienced can leave you unable to ride for the rest of your life. If the crash was caused by another vehicle, then talk to reputable motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as you can.
You want to start riding again, but fear is stopping you. You do have the ability to overcome your fear, but it will take some effort and work. Here is how to get back on your motorcycle after a particularly bad crash.
Receiving Treatment for Your Injuries
The most important thing after you are injured in a crash is to get medical treatment. Even if the injuries do not look serious, go to the hospital and have a medical checkup because you may have sustained internal injuries. If you have one or more broken bones, then get them x-rayed and receive a plaster cast as soon as possible. If the doctor recommends a hospital stay, then get yourself admitted and stay there for as long as is necessary.
After you are discharged, the doctor may recommend a period of rehabilitation, which may include a stay in a rehabilitation center, physiotherapy, and other types of therapies to restore your health and mobility. The entire treatment process may take several months. However, it is important that you recover fully before trying to ride again.
Receiving Treatment for PTSD
If you were involved in a really bad motorcycle accident, then you may have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is a mental health problem that some people have after they have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as an accident, combat, or sexual assault.
The symptoms of PTSD include frequently reliving the event, recurring nightmares about the event, images of trauma that follow you wherever you go, inability to fall asleep, change in eating patterns, and the urge to avoid people, places, things, and situations that remind you of the event.
The most common treatment for PTSD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which includes cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and medication. CBT can last from three to six months.
In cognitive therapy, your therapists will help you understand how your trauma is causing stress, and teach you how to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. In exposure therapy, your therapist will talk about the trauma repeatedly and teach you to conquer your fear of the trauma. In EMDR, your therapist will help you change the way you react to the memories of your trauma. Medication may include serotonin, which can lessen your worries and sadness.
Getting Back on Your Motorcycle
Once you have fully recovered, both physically and psychologically, you can get back on your motorcycle. You may feel a little apprehensive the first time. Most experienced bikers will tell you that getting back sooner rather than later is better. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can immediately start riding like you used to before the crash. Take it slow and easy. Take only short rides for the first few days and then gradually increase the distance as your confidence builds up. Pretty soon, you will be riding like before.
Get Legal Representation from Qualified Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Now, while you are recovering from your physical injuries and psychological trauma, don’t forget one very important thing: to file a personal injury claim if another motorist was responsible for the accident. Medical bills, rehabilitation, and therapies can cost you a lot of money. You can recover the costs and other expenses with a fair settlement. So, talk to the skilled and experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Wilshire Law Firm as soon as you are able to.