Trouble Sleeping After a Car Accident: Pain, Stress and How to Rest Again
It is two in the morning. Your neck hurts no matter how you lie, and when you finally doze off, you see the other car again and jump awake. In the morning you are more tired than when you went to bed.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. After a car accident, pain and stress very often get in the way of sleep. And it is not a small detail: sleep is when the body does much of its repair work, and poor sleep can make pain feel worse.
Get medical care soon if:
You hit your head and are unusually drowsy, hard to wake, confused or vomiting · pain wakes you up every night and keeps getting worse · you have numbness or weakness in your arms or legs · you feel hopeless or have thoughts of hurting yourself.
If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24 hours, in English and Spanish.
Why you cannot sleep after a crash
- Pain and stiffness. Whiplash, back pain or a shoulder injury make it hard to find a comfortable position, and every turn in bed wakes you up.
- A nervous system on alert. After a scare, the body can stay in “alarm mode” for days or weeks: your heart races, you replay the crash and you cannot switch off.
- Concussion. A head injury can change sleep: you may sleep much more, much less or at different times. Read more about concussion after a car accident.
- Daytime changes. Less activity, more naps, more screens and more worry about bills and work all disrupt the internal clock.
Positions that usually help
| If it hurts here | Try |
|---|---|
| Neck | On your back or your side, with a pillow that keeps your head level with your spine, not too high. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. |
| Lower back | On your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your knees. |
| Shoulder | On the opposite side or on your back, hugging a pillow to support the injured arm. |
| Ribs or chest | Slightly upright for the first few nights, with several pillows or in a recliner. |
Your provider may also suggest heat or cold before bed, or gentle stretches to relax the muscles. Follow their specific instructions for your injury.
Habits that help you rest again
Sleep habits (CDC)
- Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including weekends.
- Keep the room dark, quiet, cool and comfortable.
- Turn off the TV, phone and computer before bed.
- Avoid large meals, alcohol and caffeine in the hours before bed.
- Be physically active during the day, within what your provider allows.
- If you nap, keep it short and early in the afternoon.
Do not self-medicate. Before taking sleep aids, including over-the-counter ones, talk to your doctor: some interact with pain medicines or can mask symptoms of a head injury.
When the problem is the scare, not the pain
It is normal to have bad dreams or think a lot about the crash in the first few weeks. But if nightmares, flashbacks, constant alertness or avoiding driving last more than a month or interfere with your life, the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) recommends talking to a professional. These reactions have effective treatment. If you are also afraid to get back in the car, read fear of driving after a car accident.
For insomnia that lasts, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a first-line treatment recommended by medical guidelines. Ask your doctor about it.
It also belongs in your record
Tell your provider how you are sleeping: how many hours, how many times you wake up and why. Sleep problems are part of how the accident affects your daily life, and they should be documented along with your injuries. See how to document your injuries.
The short version
Sleeping badly after a crash is common: pain, stress and sometimes a concussion get in the way. Find a position that protects your injury, keep a fixed routine and tell your provider. If nightmares or anxiety last more than a month, ask for help: it is treatable.
Sources
- CDC — About sleep (recommended hours and healthy sleep habits).
- NIMH — Post-traumatic stress disorder.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
This article is informational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. If you were in a car accident in the Salt Lake City area, Car Injury Clinic (Taylorsville, UT) offers same-day evaluation, free transportation and coordination with your attorney. Call 385-242-8571 or book an appointment.
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