What Emotional Effects Can Car Accident Victims Suffer?
When many people think about the effects of a car accident, they imagine physical injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. While vehicle crashes can certainly result in these types of injuries, they can also lead to severe emotional distress. If you have been struggling with your mental health after a car crash, it is important to speak to a mental health specialist right away.
Common Emotional Injuries That Result from Car Accidents
A vehicle collision is a traumatic event that can cause victims to suffer long-term emotional consequences. Mental health issues that may result from car accidents include:
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Post-traumatic stress disorder - It is not uncommon for car accident victims to experience shock, fear and anger following a vehicle collision. However, these feelings should subside over time. If they do not, post-traumatic stress disorder can develop. Common signs of this condition include recurring thoughts about the accident, trouble sleeping, and uneasiness about riding in vehicles.
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Depression - Crash victims may also develop major depressive disorder after an accident. They may be saddened about the physical injuries they sustained and how these injuries keep them from participating in their favorite activities. Some victims may also feel worried about the financial effects of a vehicle collision, which may lead to depression symptoms like hopelessness, irritability and fatigue.
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Anxiety - Some people may suffer from anxiety after a vehicle collision, which can cause nervousness, rapid breathing, nausea, trouble concentrating, and other unpleasant symptoms.
Pursuing Compensation for Emotional Injuries
If you have suffered emotional distress from a car accident caused by another driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation. However, emotional injuries are not as obvious as physical injuries, so they can be more difficult to prove. That is why it is essential to have an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer on your side. A lawyer will help you pursue compensation for therapy and medications you need for your emotional injuries. He or she will handle negotiations with insurance adjusters and protect your legal rights. If a settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit and fight for compensation through the court system.
Contact an Elmhurst, IL Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are dealing with emotional injuries following a vehicle collision, the Cook County car crash attorneys from Kaiser Law can help. We understand how devastating it can be to suffer emotional distress after a vehicle accident and want to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation by calling 630-233-9946.
Source:
https://familydoctor.org/post-traumatic-stress-after-a-traffic-accident/