- July 27, 2021
When you file a personal injury claim, it is important to be thorough. Accidents can affect more than just your physical health.
Accidents are jarring. They are impossible to anticipate and are often completely out of our control. When you get injured in an accident, your whole world might feel like it’s upside down.
It can be difficult to emotionally recover from an event like that. It is even more difficult if you are also recovering from significant physical injuries.
Keep reading, and we’ll tell you how a personal injury attorney can help you get compensated for the mental and emotional distress caused by an accident.
Emotional Distress After an Accident
Your brain and nervous system go through a lot when you endure an accident. You might experience several conflicting emotional states practically all at once. You might also have lasting anxiety months or years after the event.
Let’s say, for example, that you are a pedestrian who was struck by a moving vehicle. After your accident, you might feel terrified of crossing the street or even leaving your home.
About 20% of car accident survivors develop acute stress disorder, and a significant portion of those survivors end up with PTSD as well.
Is It Worth It?
You might be wondering: can my car accident lawyer really help me get more compensation for emotional distress? Well, the answer is yes.
In fact, ignoring the emotional and mental effects of an accident is one of the most common personal injury claim mistakes.
Even if your physical injuries heal quickly, there’s no telling how long the emotional impact of your accident might linger. Your lawyer for personal injury can factor in emotional distress to get you all of the compensation you deserve.
How to Claim Emotional Distress
To make a sound emotional distress claim, you should have proof. If you already have a therapist or a psychiatrist, they can write a letter explaining the emotional impact your accident had on you.
If you do not see a mental health professional, ask your personal injury lawyer for help. They can point you to a professional who can evaluate you and write a letter for your case.
Make sure you share everything with your lawyer. Sometimes the emotional effects of an accident are indirect or seem unrelated. Any unusual anxiety, depression, or agitation that you are feeling could be a result of your accident.
If your mental state is making it difficult or impossible to function normally, you need to include that in your personal injury claim.
Make sure you explain to your lawyer which parts of your life have been impacted by your mental state, and how. Always be specific.
Get the Most From Your Personal Injury Claim
Now that you know more about emotional distress and personal injury claims, take the next step. If you or someone you know has been in an emotionally distressing accident, contact a personal injury law firm.
Just because the damage is invisible, that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
Get the compensation you deserve today!
