In the UK, around sixteen million people qualify as disabled. This includes around a quarter of working-age adults, and almost half of pensioners. In some cases, a disability can be present from birth; in others, it can slowly emerge over a period of months and years. In a minority of cases, however, a disability can arrive suddenly, as a result of an accident.

Where the cause of a disability is an accident, the transition can be jarring, and difficult to cope with. But what steps should you take if you’ve been disabled by an accident?

Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Rehabilitation

It’s important that you get the medical support you need to rehabilitate yourself. This might mean building your strength back up through physiotherapy, or adjusting to your new state of being through counselling.

Understand Your Legal Rights and Options

In some cases, you might be entitled to compensation. This is typically the case when the accident is the result of another party’s negligence. This might be your employer, a business owner, or even a government body.

A specialist solicitor might help you to file the necessary claims, and to extract compensation for your injury. The amount you’re paid will be proportional to the amount of harm you’ve suffered. For example, amputation claims tend to extract the largest payouts, because the long-term consequences of a lost limb can be so significant.

Accessing Disability Benefits and Financial Assistance

It might be that your disability is severe enough to impact your earning potential. Or, you might face costs that able-bodied people do not. You can offset these problems with the help of the right disability benefits. The benefits you receive will vary depending on your circumstances, but might include Universal Credit, the Personal Independence Payment, or Disability Living Allowance.

Adapting Your Home and Lifestyle for Accessibility

It might be that changes to your home can make a significant difference to your quality of life. The installation of extra handrails on the stairs, for example, might reduce your risk of a fall – and help you to get around with confidence. Think about which modifications make sense in your case, and invest accordingly.

Exploring Employment Opportunities and Workplace Adjustments

Your return to work might represent a challenge. But it’s a challenge that your employer might help you to surmount, if you let them know exactly what you need from them. The installation of ramps, modification to your desk, and extra parking space might all make a difference. To stay on the right side of the Equalities Act, your employer is legally required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate you.

Building a Support Network: Family, Friends, and Professionals

Whatever financial and professional support you have in place, this is sure to be a testing time. You’ll want to be able to lean into the emotional support provided by friends, family, and any professional counsellors you might be seeing. Make sure that you have that network available, and don’t be afraid to clearly state your boundaries. Let those close to you know how they can help – but also, let them know what they should avoid doing.