Addressing Emotional Trauma in a Car Accident Claim

While there is much discussion about physical injuries from a car accident, there is not a lot of information about the emotional trauma that many people deal with when they have been in a crash. Many people who have been in car accidents – especially serious ones – experience some type of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress syndrome after the crash. For example, it is not uncommon for a person to become filled with anxiety or even fear every time they have to get back behind the wheel or even as a passenger.

If you have been in a crash and are experiencing symptoms of emotional trauma, contact a Virginia car accident attorney to find out what type of legal recourse you may have.

What Are the Symptoms of Emotional Trauma?

Every car accident victim experiences mental or emotional trauma differently. While some vehicles may experience symptoms immediately following the event, other victims often develop trauma over time. One of the most common emotional issues that car accident victims suffer is PTSD. Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Emotional numbness
• Feeling on edge
• Feeling out of place
• Feelings of anxiety or hopelessness
• Flashbacks
• Inability to relax
• Inability to sleep
• Recurrent nightmares
• Sudden outbursts of anger

Who Will Develop PTSD After a Crash?

While anyone can develop PTSD after experiencing a car accident, the following factors may make someone more at risk for developing the disorder:

• The victim has a history of prior trauma
• The victim has prior issues with psychological adjustment
• There is a family history of psychopathology
• The victim has a perceived life threat to themselves or others
• The victim does not have the social support following the accident
• The victim has high levels of emotion (fear, guilt, helplessness, shame) during or immediately following the accident

What Type of Treatment Can Help a Victim Suffering from PTSD?

Any victim dealing with PTSD should seek the assistance of a licensed therapist who has experience working with people who have PTSD. Their primary care physician should be able to provide a recommendation.

It is also important that victims try to maintain their regular routine as much as possible, although this may be difficult if a victim has also suffered serious physical injuries in the car accident. Normal routines help alleviate emotional stress. If the physical and/or emotional injuries negatively impact the victim’s daily life, they may also be entitled to financial compensation in any car accident claim or lawsuit that may be filed against the at-fault party or parties.

Victims should also seek out legal counsel to help with any car accident claims. It is important for victims to document all of their physical and/or emotional symptoms, treatments, and expenses before they are able to speak with an attorney and continue while they are working on their case. This information can be used as evidence to help prove the damages the victim suffered because of the accident.

What Damages for Emotional Trauma Are Available in an Accident Claim?

If a person is suffering from emotional trauma as a result of a car accident, they may be entitled to various types of damages in their car accident claim. The trauma is considered a psychological injury, and the victim can seek financial compensation for the emotional, physical, and financial impact that the condition has on their life. This includes:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are intended to compensate the injured party for quantifiable financial losses resulting from the accident and their PTSD diagnosis. These may include medical expenses for the costs associated with medical treatment, including therapy, counseling, psychiatric care, medications, and hospitalizations. If the trauma requires long-term or specialized treatment, those future costs can also be included.

If the trauma affects their ability to work (e.g., taking time off for therapy or because they cannot focus at work), they may be entitled to compensation for lost wages during this period. If it causes long-term impairment that prevents the individual from working at all, they may also be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intended to compensate for the emotional and psychological pain and suffering caused by the trauma. These are harder to quantify but can be significant in cases involving mental health disorders. Types of non-economic damages include pain and suffering for the victim’s emotional distress, nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and a general reduction in quality of life. Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the emotional and mental anguish the individual endures as a result of the disorder.

The victim may also be entitled to loss of enjoyment of life. Trauma often limits the individual’s ability to engage in activities they once enjoyed, such as hobbies, socializing, or spending time with family; they may be entitled to compensation for this loss. Trauma can also severely impact relationships and cause the individual to withdraw from loved ones, leading to a diminished quality of life.

They may also struggle with emotional distress, including intense feelings of fear, helplessness, anxiety, and emotional trauma the person may experience as a result of the accident.

In some cases, a spouse or partner may also seek damages for the loss of companionship and intimacy due to the person’s trauma if it significantly impacted their relationship.

Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm Today

The legal team from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp has been advocating for injured clients since 1985 and will do all we can to ensure you receive the best possible outcome under the circumstances of your case. Contact our office today to schedule a free case evaluation and find out how we can help. We are committed to getting our clients the financial compensation they are entitled to, as evidenced by the more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts our firm has obtained.

For your convenience, we have offices in Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

RELATED CONTENT

• Understanding What Economic Damages Are in Personal Injury Claims
• Understanding What Non-Economic Damages Are in Personal Injury Claims
• How Long Does It Take to Reach a Settlement Agreement?