Psychological Effects After an Accident – What to Expect
When you are injured in an accident, whether it is a car accident, a slip and fall, a construction accident, or even medical malpractice, the physical injuries are usually not the only injuries you sustain. The psychological effects after an accident can sometimes be severe, and are often overlooked. Discussed below are some of the psychological effects after an accident that occur as a result of emotional trauma that many of our clients have experienced.
Types of Psychological Injuries
- Anxiety – common with car accidents, truck accidents and other motor vehicle crashes. Often times, victims are uneasy about driving again. Anxiety symptoms can range from mild to severe. In some cases, victims do not want to drive or even ride as a passenger in a vehicle. It can be extremely difficult for some people to get behind the wheel again, and when they do, they experience fear and nervousness, elevated heart rate and even perspiration. Some anxiety sufferers experience panic attacks, making it virtually impossible to drive or even get into a motor vehicle.
- Depression – many clients experience depression as a result of the physical injuries they have sustained. When a person is no longer capable of caring for him or herself, brushing his or her hair or walking up and down the stairs, cooking or playing with his or her children, a likely result is unfortunately depression. There are times when additional medication is required in order to treat the depression. In some cases, when the physical injury heals, the emotional injury is not far behind, and the depression eventually subsides. In cases of severe injury, the depression may last longer or become chronic.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – can happen when a person in in fear for his or her life. The inevitable fear of severe injury or death can create post traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, when victims distance themselves or avoid thinking about the accident, such behavior can trigger PTSD. PTSD symptoms include detachment from other people, nightmares, flashbacks, insomnia and avoiding things that remind them of the accident. For instance, some may avoid the scene or intersection of the accident, or songs, sounds or other stimuli that remind them of the accident.
Emotional trauma from an accident is part of your damages. To find out more about how to recover for emotional trauma from an accident, call our accident lawyers at 215-567-1900 or 855-822-6783 (toll free).
Rizio, Hamilton & Kane, P.C., serving accident victims since 1978.
