The Psychological Impact of Car Accidents on Victims and Their Families

Physical wounds, broken bones, and spinal or head trauma are not the only injuries car accident victims suffer from. Psychological and emotional distress following a car accident can take a huge toll on victims and their families. In Georgia, personal injury victims can pursue financial compensation for the psychological effects following an accident. An experienced car accident attorney will make sure to evaluate all aspects of your damages, including psychological trauma to maximize financial recovery.

Damaging Effects of an Accident on the Human Mind

The human mind is made of a complex, grid-like network of neurons, hormones, and connections. This is similar to a busy street with stoplights and different automobiles. Everything goes smoothly until there is a disturbance. The stress hormone cortisol floods your body when you are in a car crash or any other traumatic event. This is true for your loved ones as well when they see you lying on the hospital bed.

The body enters a heightened state of panic in the initial few hours. This state usually disappears in a few hours or days. Based on this, if the anxiety doesn’t decrease even after a few days, it is necessary to visit a mental health counselor. Certain symptoms may take up to 30 days to manifest in some cases. These delayed reactions can have a significant impact on a person’s psychological well-being.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Car accidents account for 25% of psychological issues in men and 13% in women as per the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). In fact, 9% of car accident victims develop PTSD. This is a severe mental health condition that interferes with daily life. Accident survivors usually experience immense trauma, which impacts their mental health condition.

Statistics show that almost 9% of car accident survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder that impacts their daily life. These are a few common symptoms of PTSD:

• Nightmares
• Fear and anxiety
• Flashbacks
• Trouble sleeping
• Detachment
• Helplessness
• Depression
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating

PTSD symptoms can last days, weeks, or months depending on the situation and person. In some cases, PTSD can last even longer, especially when children are involved. The treatment for PTSD usually involves psychoanalysis and therapy for addressing underlying issues. Generally, the condition can be treated by discussing the incidents leading up to the accident and offering reassurance.

Taking this into account, there are times when accident survivors may need prescription medications and ongoing therapy. This can be expensive. Having a skilled car accident attorney on your side can help you get the compensation you deserve to pay these bills and more.

Anxiety and Depression After an Injury

Anxiety and depression are common in accident victims and their loved ones. This can be related or unrelated to post-traumatic stress disorder. The emotional impact of the accident can lead to isolation, withdrawal, feelings of hopelessness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Anxiety is usually prevalent in car accident survivors and their families regarding life’s uncertainty and future.

Many survivors experience immediate shock following the crash. This shock wears off after a few days when anxiety takes over. Family members experience anxiety and nervousness too. This is especially true where the physical consequences of the car accident are far-reaching. Anxiety usually leads to other symptoms, such as lethargy and trouble concentrating. It is a debilitating condition, which requires prescription medications and professional treatments.

You should speak with a qualified car accident attorney about including compensation for psychological trauma and maximizing your financial recovery.

Disability-Induced Loss of Quality of Life

You may experience a loss of enjoyment of life if your accident results in long-term physical injury. Paralysis, traumatic brain damage, scarring, amputation, and disfigurement are a few common permanent injuries that can occur during a car accident. You may end up dealing with lost enjoyment of life and quality of life indefinitely.

You may not be able to go to work, play with your children, participate in your favorite hobbies, take care of yourself, remain independent, or have sexual relations. This can also take a massive toll on your family. Your children may no longer have the parent they deserve. You may no longer be able to provide the same comfort to your spouse as before, leading to psychological trauma.

Compensation for Emotional and Mental Suffering

A seasoned car accident attorney will try and get you the fairest compensation for all your damages, including emotional distress as a result of the traumatic car accident. You will need to show the extent to which the accident has impacted your psychological health to receive maximum compensation.

You may need to provide evidence in the form of journals, eyewitness statements, and expert testimonials. Make sure that you keep all your doctor and therapist appointments. Insurance companies routinely blame victims for their condition. Your attorney will find evidence to show that you are unable to perform day-to-day life chores because of high anxiety levels.

Our Reputable Car Accident Lawyers are Ready to Fight for You

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident in Georgia, the experienced personal injury attorneys at the law firm of DuBose Miller are here to help you. Our attorneys diligently work towards maximizing compensation by including physical, emotional, and psychological components in our claim. To set up your complimentary consultation, call (404) 720-8111 or reach us online.