Dealing With Post-Accident Emotional Trauma And How It Could Impact Your Case
We all like to think we’re safe drivers, but the reality is that over 37,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents every year in the United States. Sooner or later, you may need to seek out a personal injury lawyer for this purpose. But while it’s common to pursue treatment for physical injuries following an accident, you might not be so inclined to do the same for emotional trauma.
Post-accident trauma is actually quite common, but you may not recognize the signs right away. And if you do, you may be reluctant to get help. However, it’s actually within your best interest to do so, as your car accident attorney may be able to fight for emotional distress damages as part of your claim. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common signs of emotional trauma after a car accident and how it might impact the claim filed by your personal injury attorney.
What are the most common signs of emotional trauma?
Trauma will affect each person differently, so no two people experience the exact same symptoms. In addition, the severity of the symptoms you might experience will often depend on the severity of your accident or even your own medical history. However, some of the most prevalent emotional trauma symptoms include:
- Weight fluctuation
- Chronic fatigue, exhaustion, or sleep loss/disturbances
- Nightmares
- Moodiness and/or irritability
- Social withdrawal
- Feelings of isolation, embarrassment/shame, or being overwhelmed
- Obsessive or compulsive behaviors
How can emotional trauma impact a claim?
In many cases, you may be able to seek monetary damages to compensate you for your emotional stress. But keep in mind that your state may not allow this or may put a cap on the amount you can potentially cover for emotional/mental anguish. Your personal injury lawyers will be able to inform you as to whether seeking these damages will be possible in your area. To determine compensation for emotional trauma, your personal injury lawyer should supply evidence pertaining to the existence and severity of your injuries, any formal diagnoses of your trauma, the severity/frequency of your trauma symptoms, and whether or not your trauma can be treated.
What should I do if I think I may have emotional distress after my accident?
The best thing you can do is document everything. You should keep a journal that includes the symptoms you experience. You should also seek assistance from a medical professional and document your treatment experiences. If your symptoms are so severe that you are unable to work or go about your daily routine, this should be carefully documented as well. In case you do miss work, seek documentation from your employer that outlines your absences. All of this can help your lawyer fight for damages.
You may be right to be focused on the physical injuries you’ve sustained following an accident, but it’s important to remember the emotional side, too. If these symptoms sound familiar to you, be sure to talk with your lawyer and your doctor about the next steps in terms of both your claim and your recovery.
Get Help From A Portland Car Accident Attorney
At Mayor Law, it is our goal to help the victims of motor vehicle accidents achieve legal justice and recover the financial resources needed to help restore their lives. Portland car accident attorney Travis Mayor will build your case to maximize financial compensation, while removing the confusion and hassle of dealing with insurance companies and their legal tactics.
Travis Mayor has recovered millions of dollars for his serious motor vehicle accident clients. For every client, Travis offers personal service with proven results. Please review our clients’ personal accounts of working with attorney Travis Mayor: Google+, Yelp, and AVVO pages.
For additional information about personal injury cases, insurance, and maximizing your financial recovery, I recommend the following articles on my Blog:
Hit By A Drunk Driver? Why You Need A Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
What You Need To Know About About Wrong-Way Driver Car Accidents in Oregon