Many people are fortunate enough to survive a car accident without a scratch or just very minor injuries. However, getting back on the road right away may have detrimental effects on the human psyche. A psychologist and author, Edward Hickling has written an entire book, " HYPERLINK "https://www.amazon.com/After-Crash-Novel-Michel-Bussi-ebook/dp/B00XIDJ2AU"After the Crash HYPERLINK "https://www.amazon.com/After-Crash-Novel-Michel-Bussi-ebook/dp/B00XIDJ2AU"", detailing just how much psychological damage an accident can cause.

As a result of their accident, many drivers choose to revert to overly cautious driving. Still more will slow down or avoid the original scene of the accident. Seeing the place where it happened can trigger bad memories that can directly impact driving. Professional psychologists agree that these coping mechanisms are perfectly normal, and in most instances, bad memories or defensive actions will ease up within a month. However, if your accident was caused by a reckless driver, getting a Georgia personal injury attorney can help you deal with the accident in a more proactive manner.

Get your confidence and comfort back behind the wheel with these tips from Brett Turnbull, Founder of Turnbull Law Firm, partner at The Law Center.

Write Down The Events

It may seem counterintuitive to dig up bad memories,but the only real way to heal from what happened is to write down the sequence of events from beginning to end. Creating a chronological narrative helps jog your memory and ultimately, make sense of the trauma that took place. Professionals agree that by using this method, you can gain a better understanding of your emotions and eventually, cope with events.

Share It With Others

In the case of a traumatic event, it can help to share your story with loved ones or anyone willing to listen. Getting the events off your chest can help you cope with what happened and cleanse the negativity from your mind. Having said that, you need to broach the subject with care. After all, you're not trying to traumatize other listeners, so place careful emphasis on how you survived and managed to get out unharmed.

Take Company With You

Perhaps the most traumatic of all is getting in a car for the first time after the accident. Instead of trying to shoulder everything on your own, take someone else with you that you can trust. This will help you feel safer, and if driving gets overwhelming again, your companion can take the wheel. For some drivers, this process may need repeating a few times before they feel okay again.

Keep The Stress At Bay

When you get back behind the wheel, choose an undemanding slow drive for your first outing. It's important that you don't feel pressured or stressed out while driving the car. This will help you settle back into your old routine.

Don't Avoid The Site Of The Accident

When we are faced with a traumatic event, we tend to fall back into the trap of avoiding the site of the event. In this case, do not avoid the place where your car accident took place. Slowing down when you come near the site or taking different routes will make the anxiety worse. If this fails, you can seek additional therapy.

Take A Defensive Driving Course

You often feed your fear when you don't feel too confident in your own driving skills. This means that taking a defensive driving course can help you not only become a better driver, but learn to gauge potential negative situations on the road and avoid them.