Every day in the UK, thousands of people are involved in an accident that occurred due to no fault of their own. There were an estimated 1,558 reported road deaths in 2021.
Such accidents can result in personal injury, which may be small or large but potentially have a profound, long-term impact on your life.
In this post, we’ll look at how a personal injury can impact on your quality of life, while asking how you can effectively cope with such challenges.
Table of Contents
1. The Financial Impact
You may feel the financial impact of personal injury more profoundly than others, especially if the accident results in you being unable to work and facing an extended loss of earnings.
This can place an extreme burden on you and your family, especially at a time when the cost-of-living continues to rise in the UK and inflation peaked at 10.1% in September.
To cope with this financial burden, you may want to consider pursuing a compensation claim. So long as you can demonstrate at least partial fault on behalf of a third party, you may be able to make a viable claim and provide some much-needed financial relief when you need it the most.
Speak to a qualified personal injury lawyer to determine whether you can make a viable claim for compensation, while remembering that you’ll have three years from the date of the incident to act.
2. Physical Dependency
Depending on the extent of your personal injury, you may change your body permanently and create a physical dependency that requires significant assistance.
You may be left unable to walk, for instance, and rely on frequent care and attention from qualified nurses or medical professionals.
This would represent a major physical and mental transition, especially if you were previously active and enjoyed playing sports at a high level.
In this case, we’d recommend seeking the support of your family and trying to adopt a proactive approach, especially when it comes to making the necessary changes to your home and making it accessible.
3. The Emotional Impact
In instances where you intend to experience significant physical changes, you may also suffer emotionally as you transition to your new reality.
This can have a huge impact on your feeling and mindset, while it’s not unusual to experience huge psychological problems in the wake of a physical injury.
Such ailments will also require proactive treatment, as you look to take a holistic approach to resort your body and mind to optimal health over time.
4. Loss of Ability to Do Everyday Things
Personal injury can have a profound impact on your life, not just in the short term but also in the long term. One of the most common effects is the loss of the ability to do everyday things.
This can be anything from having to give up work to be unable to do the housework or even go for a walk. The loss of the ability to do these things can have a massive impact on your life, both financially and emotionally.
5. Affect the Quality of Your Life
Another common effect of personal injury is the impact it can have on the quality of your life. Besides the physical pain and suffering that you will experience, you may also find it difficult to enjoy your life in the same way as you did before the accident. This is particularly true if you have suffered a serious injury that has left you with a disability.
6. Can Lead to Depression and Anxiety
Personal injury can also lead to depression and anxiety. When you are injured, you may be in pain and unable to do the things you love. You may also feel like your life is out of control and that you will never be able to return to your previous level of activity.
Depression and anxiety can both make it difficult to concentrate, make decisions, and stick to a treatment plan. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety after a personal injury, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional.
7. Can Impact Your Family Relationship
A personal injury can also impact your family relationships. This is because your family may have to take on more responsibility for you if you are injured. For example, they may have to help you with your daily activities or care for you if you are in the hospital.
Your family may also feel guilty or responsible for your injury. They may feel like they could have done something to prevent it. They may also feel like they should have been there to protect you.
It is important to talk to your family about how your injury has impacted them. This can help them understand what you are going through and how they can help you.
8. Can Be Life-Changing
A personal injury can change the way you live your life. For example, if you are injured in a car accident, you may no longer be able to drive. If you are injured at work, you may no longer be able to work.
An injury can also cause physical changes. For example, if you lose a limb, you will have to learn how to live without it. If you suffer a brain injury, you may have to relearn how to walk or talk.
You may no longer be able to spend time with your family or friends the way you used to. You may also have to rely on them more for help and support.
