Sleeping Tips After a Car Accident

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September 8, 2023

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Following these sleeping tips after a car accident can help you if you’re one of the many victims who have experienced sleeping troubles.

From whiplash to PTSD, a lack of sleep can lead to problems in the day. Fatigue and minimal sleep can lead to reduced concentration, health issues and problems at work or in relationships.

First of all, if this accident wasn’t your fault, then you can claim compensation for your damages. You can contact our Tampa car accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

Secondly, we urge you to discover if an injury is underlying the sleeping difficulties as it could be a severe risk to your health.

Table of Contents

Sleeping Tips After a Tampa Car Accident:

Visit a Doctor to Check for a Brain Injury

Insomnia is a common symptom in brain injury patients after car accidents. They are caused by the violent movement of the brain when the body is jolted back and forth in the crash, or from direct blows to the head.

Without medical attention, brain injuries can be fatal. We urge you to please visit an emergency room immediately after a car accident if you’ve experienced insomnia with any of the following symptoms:

Headache or “pressure” in the head.
Nausea or vomiting.
Balance problems or dizziness
Double or blurry vision.
Bothered by light or noise.
Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
Confusion and/or concentration or memory problems.
Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.

Getting Comfortable

Getting comfortable again after a car accident may mean adapting to your injuries. Some people struggle with this, as they are changing life-long habits.

Injuries such as Whiplash are especially common in causing sleeping troubles. The pains in the neck and shoulder won’t turn off at night, but there are ways you can mitigate their impact to help improve sleep quality:

Hot and Cold Compression

Temperature treatment for an injured area can help soothe and reduce pains and inflammation. This can help your injured muscles relax, so you can get to sleep better. This is especially useful for upper back and shoulder muscles in whiplash injuries. Once the muscles are relaxed, you should find it easier to rest in a comfortable position.

Foam Roller Stretches

Stretching your injured neck and upper back muscles before sleep can reduce stiffness that arises in the night. Whiplash is prone to causing pain from stiff muscles at night.

As a sleeping tip after a car accident, experts suggest using gentle therapeutic stretches with foam rollers. Studies show that foam rollers are great at decreasing tissue tensions and improving flexibility – so you can lie in a more comfortable position at night.

Support the Neck

You may find your regular pillow is uncomfortable, if so consider buying a pillow that addresses your comfort issue.

For example, if sleeping on your side or stomach is not reducing the pain then a neck pillow may provide support to allow you to sleep with stability both on your back and side.

These types of pillows have a groove for the head, that keeps the neck secure and your spine more naturally aligned. This is especially useful if any slight movement causes sharp pains.

Change Sleeping Positions

As a sleeping tip after a car accident, Experts suggest the following positions are the most successful in good sleep for whiplash victims:

Fetal position: You can stretch out your back and spine, allowing for more space between each vertebrae. This is achieved by following onto your side and tucking your knees towards your chest.
Reclined position: You can also consider sleeping in a recliner if the bed is proving impossible for any sleep. Chairs should never be your first option, but a reclining position provides an angle that supports the legs, back, neck and hips which may provide pain relief.
Neutral Spine Position: Sleeping in a ‘neutral spine position’ removes the pressure on the neck and upper back, to reduce pain. If you lay on your back, use a supportive pillow. If you’re on your side, then use a pillow between your knees to help hold that neutral spine position.

Sleeping with PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is sadly very common with car accident victims. Whether you are reliving the accident in your head, having nightmares or simply unable to relax due to the trauma, it’s not uncommon. In fact, 9 out of 10 PTSD victims report insomnia.

Time can often ease PTSD symptoms, but it is advised that you visit a therapist to help you manage the unsettling thoughts and emotions. You can also take the following steps to help you sleep better at night:

Feel Safe: PTSD is often triggered by a feeling of being unsafe. By creating a sleep environment that feels deeply safe, you may be able to shut your brain off from the outside world. For example, does your bedroom feel safe? Or are you more relaxed in a spare room? Perhaps having a light on helps, or locking the door? If you can’t find a safe place, then try to imagine a safe and positive memory while you close your eyes.
Distractions: Anyone who has experienced insomnia knows how wild the brain’s thoughts can go. By distracting yourself, you may find you start to relax into a sleep state, music, books, audiobooks and podcasts are great for this. TV and films is also an option, but be aware that the blue light emitted by screens may be counterproductive. You can also try ASMR, of which there are thousands of genres to choose from.
Exercise: Physical activity during the day can help you reduce your energy levels so that you find it easier to sleep. Obviously, this may be impossible if you have an injury.

Dealing with Anxiety over Finances and More

One of the worst parts about being a car accident victim is dealing with claims, finances and other admin.

You may have missed time off work, spent fortunes on medical bills or simply did not have the energy to file an insurance claim. This can all lead to sleeping difficulties and stressful thoughts at night.

That’s where we can help. As Tampa car accident injury lawyers, we can help you win the maximum possible settlement so you can recover.

We can help you relax by:

Filing your personal injury claim
Manage all communication with insurance companies and opposing parties
Gather evidence and build a strong case
Handle negotiations
Calculate the true value of your damages (including lost wages, suffering, medical bills and more).

Hire a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer in Tampa, FL

Free Consultations

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Tampa, Florida, please contact our experienced Tampa personal injury lawyers for a free consultation. We have decades of experience helping people who were injured by someone else. We hope that our actions can be the first step to better and longer nights of sleep.

Sean McQuaid and Jonathon Douglas are award-winning Personal Injury Lawyers with vast experience, a proven track record, a strong reputation and impressive resources. We believe we provide the strongest chance of winning the maximum possible settlement to help you move forward.