When someone in our lives experiences something traumatic like a personal injury, figuring out how we can help them navigate this situation is at the top of our to-do lists. But how exactly do we support a friend or family member during this difficult time? How much can we actually help them? If someone close to you has been injured due to another’s negligence, let’s dive into a few tips you can use to help them deal with their trauma.

Look out for warning signs, and help them reach out for support

Trauma has the potential to lead to mental health issues if it’s left untreated. This may manifest itself in the form of anxiety disorders, panic disorder and panic attacks, depression, and substance abuse. As the symptoms of these disorders and the person’s behavior continue to worsen, it can lead to serious developments like suicidal behavior (if someone is exhibiting this behavior, get them to help immediately to ensure they don’t cause serious injury to themselves). To give them the support they need, it’s important that you look out for these warning signs as they navigate life after their personal injury.

If they’re handling their trauma rather well, simply being there to listen to them can be enough. However, if they’re experiencing any of the symptoms of a serious mental illness, helping them find individual therapy can be the type of support they need to move forward successfully. A therapist with years of experience practicing will employ treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to evaluate the mind of the accident victim and provide them with effective treatment. (DBT therapy is often used for those with poor emotional regulation and self-injurious behavior). Whether they’re dealing with intense emotions and impulsive behavior, substance use disorder, or suicidal ideation, help is out there to guide them through this difficult time.

Find them the proper representation for their personal injury claim

If your friend or a family member has experienced a catastrophic injury as a result of a car accident or other avoidable accident, reaching out to an attorney will give them the support they need to tackle a personal injury case. Pursuing a lawsuit helps individuals receive much-needed financial compensation to cover high medical bills and other costs of living that they otherwise may not be able to afford because they’re out of work and healing.

But where do you find the right personal injury lawyer for a personal injury lawsuit? All you have to do is conduct a quick Google search for personal injury attorneys in your area (for example, “New York City personal injury attorneys“), find a law firm that’s experienced in this area, and have them begin working with your friend. Knowing that someone is working to get you justice can be a major source of stress relief for those who have experienced a traumatic personal injury.

Learn more about their trauma, its effects, and how you can help

Taking the time to learn more about what someone is dealing with can give you greater insight into how you can support them. For example, let’s imagine that your friend has developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their injuries. Learning more about PTSD and what the triggers are can give you a better idea of what to avoid when talking to your friend or family member to help them stay at ease. Of course, there are some obvious ways to help as well, such as assisting them with things they may not be able to do on their own. The more research you do, the better equipped you will be to help someone else.

Personal injuries can be quite traumatic, but the good news is that someone who has dealt with this trauma doesn’t have to cope alone. If you know someone close to you who has been injured, use the guide above to learn more about what you can do to offer your full support during this difficult time in their life.