Mark Casto | April 10, 2025 | Car Accident Lawyer Near Columbus Georgia
Car accident injuries run the gamut from mild whiplash to paralysis. It might be easy to discuss an accident with a friend who has suffered mild injuries. But if you know someone who has just survived a horrible accident, it can be hard to know what to say.
Do you talk about the crash? Do you talk about their injuries? How can you offer support? Here’s a look at how to connect with and support a friend or family member after a serious car crash.
What To Say to Someone After an Accident
After a car accident, you may feel helpless — nothing you say or do can change what happened. Don’t let that feeling stop you from reaching out. Your loved one is probably feeling a similar helplessness, and communicating the fact that you care and you’re there for them can be incredibly meaningful. Here are some things to say:
“I’m Glad You Survived”
If someone is in immense pain or facing life-altering catastrophic injuries, they might not feel lucky to have survived. Although they are still alive, they may be dealing with symptoms of PTSD as well as serious physical effects. Sometimes, just voicing the fact that you’re thankful they’re still here makes a difference.
“How Are You Feeling?”
Right after an accident, there’s a lot of focus on what happened, so your loved one might appreciate the fact that someone is asking about how they feel. Don’t be surprised if they are angry, confused, or depressed. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries can have intense emotional effects, so your loved one’s mental state can be impacted by more than the crash itself.
Checking in with an injured loved one periodically lets them know you care and that you aren’t going anywhere. However, try to avoid saying, “Are you doing better?” when you check in with them. Instead, say, “How are you doing today?” If you only ask if they’re doing better, it may seem like you’re expecting them to get back to “normal.”
“How Can I Help?”
The aftermath of a terrible car accident can be extremely disorienting, and it’s not unusual for someone to not know what they need. If you’re comfortable doing so, you might consider offering to do something to help. These are some suggestions:
- Making them dinner and bringing it over
- Babysitting their kids while they go to a doctor’s appointment
- Helping them clean or do laundry
- Walking their dogs or helping them care for other pets
- Visiting them in the hospital and bringing them games, puzzles, or other fun things to do
Recovering from major injuries can be lonely. Sometimes, just visiting an injured person and talking to them about everyday things makes a difference.
What Should You Avoid Saying?
Even said by people who mean well, some phrases can end up making an injured person feel worse. Try to avoid saying things like this:
- “You’re lucky to be alive”
- “I know how you feel”
- “It could have been worse”
Statements like these can come off as dismissive. Your loved one might not feel very lucky at the moment, and even if you’ve been through a similar circumstance, it’s impossible to know exactly how another person feels about it. Technically, any car accident could have been worse — but that doesn’t make dealing with its aftermath any easier.
You Can Make a Difference in an Injured Friend’s Recovery
After a major car accident, many people talk about the importance of promptly receiving fair compensation for medical bills and other expenses. Financial support is important, but so is social support.
You might not be able to undo a loved one’s accident or shoulder all of their expenses yourself, but even a kind word or thoughtful gesture can make their recovery a little smoother.
Contact the Columbus Car Accident Lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you were injured in an accident in Columbus, GA, and need legal help, contact our Columbus car accident lawyers at Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free case review today.
Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm
233 12th St #808
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 940-4030
