When a family member gets into a car accident, there are a lot of worries swirling around your head. You may wonder how your loved one will recover emotionally, physically and financially. It can be difficult to know what to say or do in these circumstances, but it is important for you to help.
You can take some steps to help your family member get back to normal and deal with the aftermath of an auto crash. Here are some guidelines for how to support a loved one after a wreck:
1. Be compassionate
Focus on providing care and being a listening ear. You may want to share a lot of information about previous accidents you have been in or tell your family member what he or she should do, but you should concentrate on letting him or her vent and complain. Simply let your family member know that you are there for whatever he or she needs.
2. Help with chores
Whether your family member has minor whiplash or a serious brain injury, it is important for you to help around the house. Some of the best things you can do to assist your loved one after a collision include:
- Doing laundry
- Running errands for groceries or supplies
- Walking the dog
- Watering plants
- Collecting mail
Of course, bringing meals over is also a great thing to do for someone who is recovering.
3. Assist with paperwork
Your family member will receive a lot of documents after a crash. Help keep track of crucial documents, including health insurance claims and medical bills. It can be overwhelming for the victim of the accident to handle all this paperwork while trying to simply get better. Help your family member organize these documents in a folder with sticky notes.
