Emotional And Mental Impact Of Auto Accidents

If you have been injured in an auto accident, your claim should not just be about physical injuries. Your damages should include every loss you have suffered as a result of the accident, and this includes even your emotional and mental injuries. Here are some of the specific emotional and mental injuries you may suffer after an accident:

Emotional Distress

Emotional distress is characterized by intense upset feelings that may manifest themselves in various ways. For example, you may find yourself getting angry most of the time, feeling crying a lot and losing interest in things that previously made you happy.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that you may experience after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event such as a car accident. If you have PTSD, then you will have disturbing thoughts and feelings about the traumatic accident that you experienced or witnessed. These strong feelings and thoughts may involve constant and involuntary memories of the event, emotional distress, and avoidance of things or activities associated with the event. For example, you may find yourself avoiding the type of car in which you had the accident or even avoiding all types of cars.

Depression

Lastly, you may also suffer depression, which is an intense feeling of sadness, after your car accident. If you are depressed, then you may find yourself feeling hopeless and worthless most of the time, and the feelings can last a few days or even years. Depression can even trigger physical symptoms; for example, you may find yourself feeling tired and exhausted most of the time.

Proving Your Claim

Unfortunately, the judge or jury cannot know you have suffered or you are suffering from psychological injuries just by looking at you. This means you have your work cut out for you to prove your invincible injuries. Here are some of the tips to help you with the proof:

  • Get medical treatment for your condition, for example, by seeing a psychiatrist so that the injuries are detailed in your medical reports
  • Get an expert in the type of psychological or mental injury you have suffered to act as your expert witness and explain your injuries to the court
  • Get eyewitness testimony, for example, from colleagues and neighbors, to testify about your symptoms that point to psychological injuries

Hopefully, you will be compensated for all your injuries including the non-physical ones. Consult a car accident attorney to ensure this is the case.


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