The Unseen Effects of Auto Accidents: Trauma
Author: Auger Law | December 4th, 2020
Automobile accidents can cause more than physical damage to a person; the mental anguish experienced in the aftermath of a wreck can easily outweigh the pain of any bodily injuries incurred in a collision. This lasting impairment is often an unexpected and deeply frustrating hurdle to overcome.
In the wake of any kind of accident or injury, it is prudent that you seek mental health care, in addition, to care for your physical well-being. You can also assert your legal right to seek compensation by obtaining representation from an experienced attorney. You want a car accident lawyer who is ready to fight for you and seek the best possible outcome when your pain, suffering, and financial future is on the line due to the negligence of another driver.
If you’ve been involved in a collision in North or South Carolina, the professionals at Auger and Auger are here to help you manage the financial and mental consequences of emotional trauma caused by your experience. Contact us online or by telephone at 800-559-5741 for a free consultation.
Symptoms of Trauma After Your Accident
Trauma lurks in the lives of those who have lived through a deeply disturbing event or series of events, affecting their mental, physical, and emotional health. We may not think of automobile accidents as traumatic experiences due to the unfortunate frequency of their occurrence, but make no mistake, even a car wreck without injuries has the potential to traumatize those who experienced or witnessed the event.
Trauma manifests differently for everyone and has a wide scope of symptoms.
Symptoms Of Trauma Include:
- Anxiety (fearfulness, reactivity, negative thought loops)
- Depression (lack of motivation, crying fits, neglecting self-care)
- Flashbacks to the event
- Nightmares and night terrors
- Insomnia
- Avoidance of environments similar to the one in which the traumatic event occurred
- Self-isolation
- Detachment
Lasting Effects
Trauma affects everyone differently; what is manageable for one person may be detrimental to another. For many survivors, the impact of their trauma is deep and lasting, robbing them of the quality of life they once enjoyed. When trauma is extreme or goes untreated, it can wreak havoc and change the course of once vibrant life.
The Long Term Impacts of Trauma:
- Erosion of important relationships
- Loss of employment due to poor performance
- Memory issues
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic stress
- Addictions and compulsive behaviors
- Anger and inappropriate reactivity
Getting Support
Professional counseling and medication are often needed in order to heal from the effects of trauma. Just like someone might have a lingering, undiagnosed physical injury after an accident, lingering mental health injuries can persist, especially if left untreated. After your accident and injury, make sure to reach out to a mental health professional who can support your recovery.
You can request a referral from your treating emergency room physician, urgent care clinician, or primary care physician if you suspect you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or some other form of the trauma-related condition in the aftermath of your accident. Free or sliding scale services may be available in your areas, such as through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) or the South Carolina Department of Mental Health (SCDMH).
When seeking mental health services following a traumatic car accident, know that you may be eligible to claim the costs of your treatment through a personal injury insurance action or a lawsuit against the at-fault parties.
Covering Treatment Costs
Even when physical injuries are not substantial in terms of medical costs, trauma recovery comes with a hefty price tag. The expense of professional counseling, psychiatric drugs, and mental health practitioner appointments can add up far beyond what the victim could have ever anticipated at the time in which the trauma occurred.
A personal injury settlement can help cover the cost of your treatment plan, and in some cases may also provide you with the extra financial help needed in order to take time off from work while you heal from your experience.
To increase the chances that you receive the needed treatments and are able to have them covered as part of your personal injury claim, exercise diligence in seeking care and documenting it. Seek prompt care in the first few days after your accident, and make sure that your mental symptoms are listed alongside your physical ones during your exam. You can obtain a referral from your treating physician, or you can seek out services on your own.
Be sure that your documentation mentions the relationship between your need for services and the recent accident. Also, save all billing information and other incidental costs related to your treatment so that you can seek the maximum amount of compensation for your personal injury losses.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late — Seek Mental Health Support and Legal Support Today
Trauma often has a delayed onset and is only realized by the individual when they find themselves dealing with unwanted emotional pain, reliving their auto accident all over again.
Seek the care you need, and then contact Auger and Auger today to discuss the details of your case and begin the first steps toward reclaiming your stability, wellbeing, and happiness. Reach us online or by telephone at 800-559-5741 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
