After a traumatizing car accident, you have many feelings you must face. You might feel guilty and nervous, or perhaps a little apprehensive about getting behind the wheel again.
There is no shame in admitting that you need time to recover after a severe motor vehicle accident. There are a few simple ways that you can work to regain your driving confidence at your own pace.
1. Come to terms with the accident
There is a part of you that wants to get back to a normal daily life, and a part that is hesitant to get back on the road. Reconciling the two can be a long process, but you can smooth things over by talking to supportive people in your personal life. It might even help to revisit the scene of the accident to get some closure.
2. Give yourself a break from driving
Until you feel ready to start driving again, take advantage of public transportation or carpooling opportunities for your commute. Spending time in a moving vehicle with a trusted driver could even help rebuild your confidence over time.
3. Learn defensive driving techniques
Defensive driving is a methodology that anyone can benefit from, especially those who have prior experience with car accidents. Knowing how to actively avoid collisions in the future can be just what you need to feel good about operating a vehicle again.
Sustaining costly damage or injuries can dramatically alter the way people think about driving. It can be difficult to establish a new routine when you are nervous about getting behind the wheel, but you can find an improved sense of normalcy when you stick to a recovery plan that works for you.