Understanding Trauma After a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can change any person’s life. A victim may suffer physical, financial and even emotional injuries. The trauma associated with vehicle accidents should never be taken lightly, as it can be difficult to overcome such an event especially if fatalities occurred. Understanding that it is normal to experience emotional and mental challenges after a car crash, can help people find their way to peace and acceptance. Here in this article, we have talked more about how to treat the internal and unseen injuries of the mind.
What types of symptoms may I experience if struggling mentally?
Car accidents can be tragic, painful and so distressing to the point that a person does not know how to process what happened in a healthy way. It is not abnormal for someone to have newly developed fears surrounding driving or even getting back into a car after a traumatic accident. Someone who is struggling mentally after a collision may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Difficulty sleeping, insomnia
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks of car accident
- Panic attacks, anxiety
- Depression, hopelessness
- Changes in appetite
- Avoiding places that remind person of crash
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- Anger, irritability
- Replaying accident in their mind
Should I tell my doctor about the symptoms I am having?
Absolutely, you should communicate with your doctor about all the symptoms you are having as a result of the car accident. This includes any aches and pains related to both your physical and mental well being. Your doctor can create a treatment plan which incorporates care for both your physical and emotional wounds. To help treat your mental struggles, your primary physician will likely forward you to a therapist or counselor.
What should I expect from a therapy session?
Therapy can be a great resource for people who are having trouble working through a traumatic event, and encourage healing in such a way that it no longer weighs heavy on their shoulders. Some people may be nervous to go to therapy, especially if they have never been before. It can seem intimidating to talk to someone you are not familiar with about your feelings, but your therapist is there as a non judgemental person who has your best of interest at heart.
Can I sue the driver who hit me in the accident?
Those who have suffered greatly may decide to meet with an attorney to learn more about their rights and legal options. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident, you may be entitled to receiving financial compensation from the driver at-fault for the car crash. If you have never met with an car accident lawyer Woodland Hills, CA before, you may want to consider bringing along the following documents/information for your consultation:
- Doctor’s physical exams
- Diagnostics (x-rays, blood work, CT scan, etc.)
- Estimates for vehicle repairs
- Receipts for medical costs paid out of pocket
- Hospital/emergency bills owed
- Therapy session costs
- Prescription medications
- Driver’s information
- Witness contacts (if any)
- Photographs taken of the crash and injuries
Thank you to our friends and contributors at Barry P. Goldberg for their insight into auto accidents.
