If you have ever experienced a car accident, you understand the impact it can have on your life. Typically, there are physical injuries associated with the collision, such as broken bones, burn injuries, spinal cord injuries, head trauma, and nerve damage.
These challenges alone are enough to change an injured victim’s life. However, there are also implications for the mental health of the person involved in the car accident.
Many car accident victims deal with depression. Their mental state could be affected because of the trauma of the accident, the injuries they suffered, or their new lifestyle after the wreck. This article will discuss the psychological impact of car accidents and how it may play a role in a personal injury lawsuit.
The Psychological Impact of Car Accidents
Only those who have been involved in car accidents can speak to the trauma that comes with them. These frightening experiences show us how vulnerable we are whenever we take our vehicles on the road.
Even a minor car accident can be scary enough to affect your mindset for years. If your life has been altered due to the nature of the injuries, this can have a psychological impact.
Car accident trauma is not easy to overcome, especially if it is a severe collision. The emotional and psychological impact will diminish your quality of life. Developing depression could be a consequence of your motor vehicle accident that will seriously hurt your long-term mental health.
The Development of Depression
Depression after a car accident could develop for numerous reasons. First, there is the emotional trauma of the accident that could cause ongoing fear, stress, and anxiety. These issues could trigger depression.
If you have significant physical injuries that are causing ongoing pain or disfigurement, this could also lead to depression. Many car accident injuries lead to an altered lifestyle, and if you can no longer participate in beloved activities, this could make you depressed.
Major depression is a severe problem that could escalate to other mental health disorders. Car accident survivors may contemplate suicide if they are struggling with overwhelming depression. It is crucial to recognize the signs of depression in yourself or a loved one so you can address it as early as possible.
Common Symptoms of Depression
There are numerous depression symptoms that you should be wary of following a car accident. Even if the car crash was minor, it could have a more significant impact on your mental health than you expect. Most symptoms of depression are related to emotions and behaviors. You might experience persistent sadness after the traumatic event.
Losing interest in hobbies is another sign of depression. If you experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, panic attacks, sudden changes in your appetite, difficulty concentrating, feelings of hopelessness, or feelings of worthlessness, then you may be suffering from depression.
When you recognize these signs in yourself or a loved one who was involved in a car accident, it is essential to take steps toward improving your mental health. You or your loved one should speak to a mental health professional as soon as possible to discuss solutions.
Physical Symptoms
Depression after a car accident can cause physical symptoms. A person may not share their mental health struggles after this traumatic event, but they could be displaying physical signs they need care.
Headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension, aching, low sex drive, and slow movement or speech could indicate that the individual is depressed. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may have undiagnosed depression.
Factors That May Contribute to Depression After a Car Accident
The mental trauma from a car accident can be affected by numerous factors. Whether you are facing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or major depression, its impact on your life may depend on the following elements.
Severity of the Accident and Injuries
The severity of the car accident will play a massive role in whether you suffer from depression. A devastating collision, such as a rollover accident or head-on crash, is more frightening and life-threatening, so the psychological trauma is more significant. Although a minor accident may not lead to severe depression, it could still cause post-accident trauma that leads to depression.
The extent of your injuries will affect your emotional trauma. If you have suffered a lot of bodily damage, you face a greater risk of depression. The more devastating your injuries are, the more severe your mental health challenges could be.
For example, a traumatic brain injury could alter the course of your life, resulting in severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you have been involved in a serious car accident that resulted in serious injuries, you must be vigilant for signs of depression.
Pain and Discomfort
Physical injuries from a car accident can cause pain and discomfort. The longer this pain continues, the more likely you are to become depressed while dealing with it. Additionally, if the pain is very severe, it could also increase your chances of developing depression.
Those suffering from chronic pain may become frustrated over time as their condition fails to improve, so ongoing discomfort often leads to adverse mental effects.
Negative emotions may develop because of your pain and discomfort, so if you have been hurt in a significant car accident and your injuries are painful, you are at a greater risk of depression.
Lifestyle Changes and Limitations
The effects of a bad car accident are often felt via lifestyle changes. You may not be experiencing consistent pain or permanent disability, but the injuries could still result in significant lifestyle changes.
For example, you may no longer be able to perform the duties of a job you enjoyed, forcing you to find other work. Daily activities like exercising, going to the bathroom, or leaving the house may become more complicated if your mobility is affected.
Over time, this changed lifestyle will cause more frustration. A reduction in your social life could cause feelings of isolation and, eventually, depression.
New limitations because of car accident trauma can have devastating emotional effects. Not only is your lifestyle changed after the accident, but you may never have those same experiences if your injuries have a permanent impact.
If you suspect your injuries have caused a permanent lifestyle change, you should consider seeking mental health treatment in case you develop depression.
Financial Stress
Motor vehicle accidents often lead to financial struggles for injured victims. You must pay for your medical treatment; insurance doesn’t always cover all those expenses. Missed time at work during your recovery results in lost wages. Property repair or replacement costs will also factor into your financial concerns if your vehicle was damaged in the accident.
This financial stress can easily result in depression. As you deal with your physical recovery and worry about your future, the stress can be overwhelming and harm your mental health. Consider how your new financial situation could cause ongoing frustration and fear, eventually leading to depression, and take steps to speak with mental health professionals.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression are often linked after car accidents. PTSD is an anxiety disorder, while depression is considered an illness. A traumatic accident could trigger both conditions, especially if they weren’t life-threatening. People with PTSD from a car accident are more likely to develop depression.
Seeking Treatment and Support
Seeking treatment for emotional trauma is just as important as treatment for a physical injury such as brain trauma. Even if you are physically healed, your mental health could be suffering. Here are a few tips to receive treatment and support if you are suffering from PTSD or depression.
Importance of Professional Help
Professional help is essential for car crash victims struggling with depression. Consider attending therapy or counseling with a licensed medical professional who can help you navigate your emotional state.
In some cases, medication can help with depression, but it’s important to discuss this with a licensed professional to ensure you receive the best treatment for your situation.
Support Groups and Resources
It is essential to seek support from others who have been through similar experiences. While you could join a support group for people suffering from depression, it might be more helpful if the group is designed for those coping with car accident trauma.
Other resources that could help you in the aftermath of the accident include the National Center for PTSD and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. A strong support system could play an essential role in your path to recovery from mental trauma after an auto accident.
Depression and Your Personal Injury Claim
If your car accident was the fault of the other driver or a separate party, you could file a personal injury lawsuit to recover financial compensation for legal damages. This process holds the negligent party accountable for their actions and compensates the victim for their suffering. Compensation may increase because of your depression.
Compensating for Emotional Distress
Depression and PTSD fall under the category of emotional distress. Emotional distress is a non-economic damage that can be included in a serious injury claim. Although mental anguish is challenging to quantify, an experienced lawyer can use this psychological disorder to push for greater compensation from the insurance company or defendant.
Documenting Your Symptoms
As you focus on the recovery process after your car accident, you must document everything about your depression symptoms and treatment. This includes medical records, medications, doctor’s notes, tests, stress management techniques, and more.
You should also document the impact that depression is having on your daily life, whether that includes persistent anxiety, difficulty performing specific tasks, or loss of enjoyment. This information will serve as evidence when you seek compensation.
The Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can make all the difference in your pursuit of justice. This legal professional understands the nuances of the claims process, how to protect your rights, and what type of evidence will best support your claim.
They also know how to assess all your damages, including non-economic losses like emotional distress, to include in your compensation claim. A personal injury lawyer will level the playing field when you file a claim, especially when you come up against the defendant, their lawyers, and their insurance company.
Secure Expert Legal Assistance!
Your best chance of obtaining fair compensation for damages after a car accident is with Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. Our team has decades of experience defending the rights of car accident victims, especially those suffering from depression.
We know what it takes to support your claim with evidence and win maximum compensation from the defendant and their insurance company. Our experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer team will handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on physical and emotional recovery.
Call us today at 888-424-5757 or complete the contact form to book a free case review with a Chicago auto accident attorney.