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After a car accident, it's only natural to experience some hesitation when getting back behind the wheel for the first time. In some cases, that hesitation can produce full-blown anxiety about driving. Once collision repair has been completed, start preparing for your return to the driver's seat using the following tips.

How to Overcome Driving-Related Anxiety After a Car Accident

1. Be a Passenger

Gradually reacclimate yourself to what it's like to be inside a vehicle again. This means starting small. Take a ride in the car as a passenger. Let someone you trust drive you on a short trip around the neighborhood. Then slowly work your way up to longer excursions where the roads may not be as familiar. Do this as many times as necessary until you feel comfortable being in the car and on the road.

2. Write Down What Happened

collision repairRevisiting the accident in your head may be hard at first but writing down what happened can help you process the trauma. This is a crucial step toward safely and confidently getting back behind the wheel. Simply jot down what transpired in chronological order from the moments leading up to the accident to the moment the car was taken in for collision repair. Then take a break. When you feel ready, come back and write out the same chronology again. The more you do this, the less disturbing the emotional effects of the accident will be. Eventually you'll see the crash for what it was: an accident, and nothing more.

3. Don't Avoid Places Related to the Incident

Avoidance feeds anxiety. Don't rearrange your life to the extent that you no longer drive. And when you do feel ready to get back in the driver's seat, don't avoid places associated with the accident. The more frequently you drive by locations like the crash site, the collision repair shop, or the hospital that treated your injuries, the less scary or anxiety-provoking they—and the entire accident experience—becomes.

 

Following these tips will help you return to driving after an accident. For any collision repair question, ask the professionals at Tracy's Collision Center. For nearly five decades, they have been the auto body shop of choice for the Lincoln, NE, area. Arrange a free estimate by calling (402) 441-4820 or visiting them online today.

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