The Emotional and Psychological Impact of Car Accidents in Chicago

recent study published by the National Library of Medicine revealed that more than one in five car accident survivors experiences post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sometimes for months or even years after the crash. If you are overwhelmed by emotional and psychological pain after a motor vehicle accident in Illinois, the experienced team at Salvi Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help you deal with these challenges and seek the compensation you need to begin the healing process. Contact us today to learn more in a free case review.

How Our Compassionate Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Salvi Schostok & Pritchard P.C., we understand the deep impact emotional and mental issues can have on your life following a car crash. We also know how challenging it can be to secure fair compensation for these injuries in a car accident claim. The mental health issues and emotional suffering car accident victims suffer often long outlast their underlying physical injuries. With over 40 years of experience handling collision cases and more than $2.5 billion recovered on behalf of our deserving clients, you can count on us to fight for the compensation you need to move forward.

Our car accident attorneys take the time to listen to your story, gather the necessary evidence, and build a strong case that acknowledges the full extent of your physical and emotional suffering. We work tirelessly to ensure that insurance companies and courts recognize the severity of your emotional and mental trauma. Our firm aims to secure the compensation you need for therapy, loss of enjoyment of life, and the pain and suffering you have endured. Don’t hesitate to contact our compassionate injury lawyers when you’re ready to demand the recovery you deserve.

What Types of Psychological Conditions Can Car Crashes Cause?

Many people grapple with various emotional, physical and psychological injuries in the aftermath of car crashes. Below, we explore some common injuries that can affect survivors’ well-being and quality of life after a car wreck:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after traumatic events like severe collisions. Individuals with PTSD might experience nightmares and flashbacks, reliving the event repeatedly. This can lead to intense psychological distress and physical reactions in response to reminders of the emotional trauma. Avoiding reminders of the crash, feeling numb, or being easily startled are common PTSD symptoms. This condition can make day to day life extremely challenging, as those with PTSD often struggle with intense fear and a sense of helplessness long after the traumatic car accident.
• Depression: Depression after a collision can manifest as a persistent feeling of sadness, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, and a general lack of energy. This mood disorder affects how someone feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. People with depression often experience changes in appetite, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and thoughts of death or suicide. The emotional stress of a car wreck, including the impact on the person’s physical abilities and financial situation, can contribute to the development of depression.
• Vehophobia: Vehophobia, or the fear of driving, is a specific phobia that can develop after being involved in a car crash. This intense fear of getting behind the wheel or into a passenger seat can lead to avoidance behaviors, severely limiting a person’s independence and affecting their daily life. Individuals with vehophobia commonly experience panic attacks, trembling, rapid heartbeat, or extreme anxiety at the thought of driving or being in a car.
• Anxiety: Anxiety is another common response to the stress of traffic accidents and can manifest in various ways, including constant worry, restlessness, and physical symptoms like dizziness, sweating, and heart palpitations. Anxiety can interfere with the ability to return to normal life, amplifying fears about driving, financial hardship, or the possibility of future crashes. It can persist as a chronic condition if not addressed, affecting various aspects of the person’s life.

These are just a few of the psychological issues that can arise after a crash caused by someone else’s negligence.

What Compensation Can I Recover for Mental Health Problems Caused by a Car Accident?

With a successful car accident claim, you can recover financial compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you suffer. Economic damages include the costs of any necessary medical treatment related to your mental health condition, such as:

• Visits with a mental health professional
• Psychiatric appointments
• Medications you need to manage your condition

You can also recover compensation for lost wages you suffer to seek medical care. If your emotional and mental health problems have made it impossible for you to work as you did before, you can also recover compensation for a reduction or loss of your earning capacity.

In some cases, you can also seek compensation for your pain and suffering, which refers to the emotional and psychological suffering you endure due to the collision. This includes anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life, which don’t have specific financial costs but significantly affect your well-being. Calculating pain and suffering compensation is challenging because this type of loss does not come with receipts or price tags. Instead, courts or insurance companies consider several factors, such as mental health care records, to determine fair compensation amounts.

To claim compensation for these non-physical injuries, you must prove that your mental health problems are directly linked to the car crash. This often involves presenting evidence such as psychiatric evaluations, therapy session records, and expert testimony that confirms the extent of your emotional and psychological suffering. A trusted car accident attorney can help you compile evidence and demand fair compensation for the mental and emotional stress you experience due to the incident.

Tips for Coping with the Emotional Effects of a Car Accident

The aftermath of a car crash can feel overwhelming, but there are many strategies you can use to manage the mental stress, anxiety, and other feelings you might be experiencing. Here’s a list of ways to cope with the emotional and psychological effects of a car crash:

• Seek professional help.
• Join a support group for crash survivors.
• Try meditation, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques.
• Maintain a regular exercise routine.
• Keep a journal about your feelings and mental health recovery.
• Set small, achievable goals for yourself.
• Spend time with supportive friends and family.
• Engage in hobbies and activities you enjoy.
• Limit your exposure to media coverage of car wrecks.
• Avoid using alcohol or drugs to cope.
• Tend to your physical health by eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of sleep.
• Practice positive self-talk and self-care.
• Work with a lawyer to manage any legal claims you have.

Contact Our Compassionate Auto Collision Lawyers for a Free Case Review

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the aftermath of a car crash? Let Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. lighten your load. Contact our compassionate team now for a free consultation and take the first step toward getting your life back on track.