How to Cope With Survival Guilt of an Auto Accident

Auto accidents resulting in death are traumatic and heartbreaking for family members. A survivor of an auto accident may have extreme guilt over the death of someone in the other car or even a passenger in his own vehicle, especially if he was responsible for the accident. Feelings of guilt need to be addressed to live a happy and fulfilling life. There are a few things to keep in mind if you are trying to cope with the guilt of surviving an auto accident.

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize the type of guilt you are having. There are two types of guilt: You may have guilt over something that you can correct and you may have guilt over something that can't be fixed. Surviving an auto accident is unhealthy guilt because it is something you have no control over. Ask yourself why you are feeling guilty about the situation.

• 2

  Correct any mistakes that may have resulted in the car accident. For example, if you were driving recklessly, fix the problem so that it will not happen again. If you correct the mistake, you will have no reason to feel guilty over the same problem in the future.

• 3

  Apologize to the victim's family and forgive yourself for the accident. Write a letter apologizing for the death of the family's loved one or apologize in person if the family will see you. Bring closure to the situation.

• 4

  Record your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Write down exactly what you feel guilty about. Over a period of time, you can go back and notice any trends of guilt and be able to deal with it in a better manner.

• 5

  Seek a trusted counselor if you are unable to get past the guilt on your own. A counselor may be able to help you determine which strategies can help you deal with the guilt effectively.