How Can You Help a Loved One Cope with the Emotional Impact of a Motorcycle Accident?

by | Jan 29, 2018 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motorcycles are the most dangerous type of vehicle to maneuver in traffic. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 29 times more motorcycle fatalities than car fatalities per mile traveled in 2015.
 

Sadly, catastrophic injuries are also common in motorcycle accidents. Riders who are fortunate enough to survive the force of impact may sustain debilitating injuries that have lifelong repercussions.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle crash, your family may be entitled to compensation for the resulting medical bills and lost wages. To determine if you have grounds for a claim, turn to The Downs Law Firm.

Ross Downs has been helping accident victims secure the settlements they deserve for more than 20 years. Call 318-284-8551 to schedule a free case evaluation with a motorcycle wreck lawyer in Bastrop.

How Can You Help a Loved One Cope with the Emotional Impact of a Motorcycle Accident?

Because motorcycles are inherently dangerous, it is reasonable to assume that people who ride them crave adventure in some way. As a result, the emotional impact of sustaining debilitating injures can be just as devastating to them as the physical impact.

If someone you love is struggling to cope with a serious and potentially life-changing injury, you cannot bear the burden for him or her, but you can lessen it to some degree. Read on to learn how you can help a loved one handle the aftermath of a motorcycle crash:

  1. Do Not Take Outbursts Personally

People who sustain serious or disabling injuries are likely to experience the five stages of grief as they gradually accept their new normal. After denial comes anger, and it is common for accident victims to take out this anger on those closest to them.

Try to remain calm when your loved one has an outburst, and resist the urge to lash out in return. Instead, remind yourself that the anger is part of the process and will eventually be followed by bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

  1. Ask Friends and Relatives to Visit

Regular visits with friends and relatives will boost your loved one’s morale and help maintain some sense of normalcy. At the end of the day, people who are bedridden are likely to feel isolated—which only worsens the emotional impact of their injuries—unless their caregivers arrange social visits for them.

  1. Get out of the House

Try to expand your loved one’s horizons a little more with every passing day. Even if the recovery is not progressing as fast as everyone would like, this will provide some sense of forward momentum.

For example, you can start by sitting in the backyard together before progressing to strolls around the neighborhood with the right mobility aids. Eventually, you can start going on outings together, venturing farther from home until it finally feels like there are no limitations whatsoever.

If your loved one was hurt in a crash, contact The Downs Law Firm today. Call 318-284-8551 to schedule a free consultation with a motorcycle wreck attorney in Bastrop. You can learn more about motorcycle claims in Louisiana by visiting the USAttorneys website.