Collecting Damages for Psychological Injuries | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

The experience of being in a car accident can be a very traumatic one. Many victims do not realize this, but the emotional impact of being in a crash can be just as serious as the physical ones. It is not uncommon for car accident victims to experienced anxiety, depressions, flashbacks, nightmares, and other psychological issues following the accidents. These issues can have a significant effect on the victim’s ability to work or focus on their everyday responsibilities. If you have been involved in a car accident and are dealing with emotional and/or physical injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses you have suffered. A North Carolina car accident attorney can help.

Trauma Symptoms

One of the most common emotional issues that affect crash victims is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data from multiple studies show that approximately 40 percent of all car accident victims develop PTSD. This can happen even if the victim does not sustain physical injuries from the accident and is especially prevalent in vehicle accidents where the victim has witnessed another victim who was severely injured or killed in the accident or if they themselves came close to being killed. Some of the other mental health issues car accident victims can develop include:

  • Anxiety
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Compulsive or obsessive behaviors
  • Depressed mood
  • Flashbacks
  • Hypervigilance
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mood swings
  • Nightmares
  • Panic attacks
  • Phobias

Financial Compensation for Mental Anguish After Crash

In order to be able to pursue compensation for damages after a car accident, the victim must show that they have suffered losses as a result of the injuries the accident caused. This also includes emotional or mental anguish or injuries. This means that the victim will need to prove they have sustained those injuries, just as they would have to prove physical injuries. The best way to do this is to get evaluated and diagnosed by a medical professional and follow any treatment recommendations that the professional advises.

For example, if a car accident victim develops PTSD and is unable to work for a period of time, their North Carolina car accident attorney will use those medical records to show that the victim did indeed have the condition in order to recoup all of the lost wages and benefits the victim lost while they were unable to work.

Contact a Carolinas Accident Attorney for Assistance

If you have suffered physical or emotional injuries in a crash caused by another driver, contact a North Carolina car accident attorney to see what type of financial damages you may be entitled to. The legal team from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have 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. If you would like to meet with one of our skilled N.C. personal injury attorneys to find out how we can help, call us today at (833) 997-1774 for a free case evaluation.

 

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