Personal injury accidents can result from a wide range of causes: from a car crash to a medical mistake, or even a slip and fall accident. While it is obvious that such accidents result in physical injury, an often overlooked area is that these injuries may also result in mental health effects, which can be devastating to the individual experiencing them as well as their caretakers or loved ones.
How Does Mental Health Effect Occur in a Personal Accident?
Not every victim involved in a personal injury accident will suffer struggles with their mental health. However, it is quite common for those involved in a traumatic experience resulting in severe physical injury to face mental health challenges as a result. These individuals may find themselves battling intense mental health issues, which may even outlast the effects of their sustained physical injuries.
Types of Mental Injuries Developed After Personal Accidents
While there are a variety of mental illnesses that can creep up as a result of a personal injury accident, the three most common are Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
After a serious accident, the victim might develop a condition called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, characterized by a failure to recover from the trauma related to the accident. It may also be accompanied by triggers that can bring back the memories of the trauma. Some of the signs and Symptoms include:
- Lack of sleep
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks to the traumatic experience
- Fear of experiencing the same trauma again
Depression
A tragic accident can also cause depression, putting the victim in a state of hopelessness as the reality of the new life sinks in. This can be especially common for those who had their physical abilities drastically altered as a result of their accident. These conditions can worsen up to the point of having suicidal thoughts. Some of the signs and symptoms include:
- Oversleeping or not sleeping enough
- Loss of hope
- Loss of appetite (or overeating in some cases)
- Loss of interest in typical activities
- Feeling sad or numb
- Suicidal thoughts
Anxiety
Anxiety is the third most common mental disorder that can develop from a tragic accident and may go hand-in-hand with PTSD symptoms. Anxiety is a feeling of worry and unease due to certain issues or outcomes. If it gets too intense, it can interfere with daily life and could include the following:
- Fear of leaving home or participating in certain activities
- Nausea
- Panic Attacks
- Fear of doing activities similar to those occurring when the accident happened (e.g., Driving, riding, or being in a similar setting as to where the personal injury accident occurred)
Proving Mental Injuries & The Need for a Competent Personal Injury Attorney
Unlike physical injuries, mental health damage can be difficult to prove following a personal injury accident due to the lack of objective evidence. A good number of personal injury victims fail to seek treatment for psychological damages and thus such damages are not factored into their case. However, with a skilled personal injury lawyer, a victim is more likely to be accurately represented for both the physical and mental damages resulting from their accident.
The personal injury attorney may advise their client to seek medical attention for mental injuries to link with the accident. They will also make sure that the proper documents and evidence are procured and contain the necessary information to present the case for mental effects resulting from the victim’s injury.
If you or a member of your family has been the victim of mental health challenges resulting from a personal injury accident, contact Rep Law for free consultation. Our professional lawyers will listen to you and give you adequate information on your legal options
For a free consultation, reach us at (623) 404-7844.
