It can happen in the blink of an eye. An individual is on his way to work when all of a sudden he’s hit by another driver. In the aftermath of the crash, he might struggle to recover his physical, emotional, and financial health. Many car accident victims are fortunate enough to escape with minimal harm, but others suffer catastrophic injuries that reshape the way they live their lives.

Take, for example, those who suffer a spinal cord injury. These individuals are often paralyzed to a certain extent, which limits their ability to live what they once considered a normal life. Daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and grooming can become difficult or impossible, and working may be out of the picture. Making matters worse is the fact that those with the worse spinal cord injuries can face millions of dollars in medical expenses and rehabilitative costs, not to mention the financial harm caused by lost wages and reduced earning capacity. Taken together, these damages can leave an individual fearful of the future.

If you find yourself in this position, you shouldn’t despair. Instead, you should take this into consideration:

• You’re not alone: You have loved one’s who are ready to help you. Whether family, friends, or co-workers, take note of those in your life who you can call on when needed.
• You’re not weak for asking for help: Your loved ones understand your limitations. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially as your relearning how to live your life with your disability. Accepting help won’t make you less worthy of love or assistance, and it certainly won’t make you incapable of reclaiming your life.
• Be open to new ideas: There are a number of medical treatments, medications, and technologies available to those with disabilities. Any of these could be critically important to your recovery and make your life exponentially easier.
• Fight for what you deserve: Covering the costs of your medical treatment and rehabilitation, recouping your lost wages, and securing the financial stability you need moving forward is crucial to your future success. This means that you’ll need resources. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of another, such as a driver who was distracted, drowsy, or drunk, then you may be able to successfully pursue a personal injury lawsuit.

Coping with everything that hits you in the aftermath of a car accident can be challenging to say the least. But help is available. Take control of your life with the supports in place around you. A legal advocate can be part of that support.