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Did your life change forever after a South Dakota car accident?

Many South Dakota families have laid loved ones to rest. If an elderly person passes away of natural causes, you no doubt feel sorrow in saying goodbye to your beloved family member. However, it's an entirely different type of grief than you might experience if you lose a loved one in a fatal motor vehicle collision. Even if your family member survived the initial impact of the crash, if he or she later dies, you may have a difficult time coping with the shock and grief that hits you.

Maybe you were traveling in the same car as your loved one and struggle with thoughts about why you survived, but he or she did not. Then again, you might have been miles away from your loved one at the time of the accident but still feel like you should have been able to do something to prevent it. Others who have experienced similar loss have been better able to cope by putting certain ideas into practice. Knowing where to seek support is a key factor.

Don't be afraid to accept help

Part of you might want to be strong; especially if you have children and are trying to stay strong for their sake. However, allowing friends, family members or others to encourage and support you as you mourn your loss may not only help you persevere, but also makes others feel as though they are doing something worthwhile. The following list includes more ideas that may be helpful in your situation:

  • While it may be tempting to pull away and become introverted after losing a loved one in a fatal car accident, you may find it helpful to stay closely connected to other family members and friends you trust.
  • There are licensed counselors who specialize in helping those who have suffered unexpected, sudden loss of loved ones. Talking about your feelings in a private setting with someone experienced in sudden-death grief support may help you cope.
  • Many people also find it helpful to talk to personal injury attorneys, especially if another person's negligence caused your loved one's death.
  • Trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and routine in your daily life is often a good way to process grief; this is especially true for children.
  • You can also turn to your community faith leader to ask him or her to pray with you or just to provide a listening ear.
  • A community support group allows you to share your experiences with others who have suffered similar losses.

It's understandable that you'd feel angry and frustrated if your loved one's accident was preventable were it not for someone's negligence or reckless driving behavior. In such cases, many South Dakota families have found it therapeutic to seek justice on behalf of a deceased loved one through the civil justice system.

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Wilde Law Offices, Prof. LLC
210 West Grant Street
Spearfish, SD 57783
Local Phone: 605-717-2020
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