The capital city of the US is no stranger to car accidents. There are reports that say that Washington saw approximately 6,000 traffic-related injuries in 2023.
Car accidents result in a lot of damage, including damage to property, physical injuries, and even the loss of life in some cases. It can be difficult for a car accident survivor to deal with these damages, and it can take them a while to overcome them.
If you have the unfortunate experience of being in a car accident, it is important that you contact the best car accident lawyers in Washington, D.C. They can help you navigate your car accident claims.
This article will go over 5 psychological issues that survivors of car accidents often have to deal with.
5 Psychological Issues a Car Accident Survivor Has to Deal With
Psychological issues are not uncommon among survivors of car accidents, and there are a host of issues that people can be affected by. Here is a list of 5 of these issues.
1. Depression
Survivors of car accidents are known to experience symptoms of depression. This can include feeling sad, losing interest in life, or feeling numb. These feelings can last for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, affecting a person’s ability to work effectively or socialize with loved ones.
Treatment usually involves medication or therapy, and it can often take time for people to feel better. In some cases, it can take a couple of months for the survivor to overcome these symptoms, which can lead to loss of income or grades dropping for students. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issue, searching for “depression counseling near me” can be a crucial first step toward finding professional support and guidance.
2. Anxiety
The next common mental health condition that survivors of car accidents can face is anxiety. This is characterized by feelings of worry, panic, or other troubling thoughts. Anxiety can make everyday situations hard to deal with, affecting people’s ability to associate with others or venture out of their homes.
It is typically treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of both. This kind of emotional distress can be compensated under the pain and suffering of a personal injury claim.
3. PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is another common mental health disorder that survivors of traumatic events can suffer from. Some of the symptoms of this disorder include nightmares, stress, a constant feeling of danger, and so on.
PTSD can be treated through trauma-focused therapy that focuses on helping people process their experiences. However, the symptoms may not disappear completely, and some people may be left with some form of anxiety for the rest of their lives.
4. Phobias
It is also possible for survivors of car accidents to develop phobias or extreme fear of things they were previously unafraid of, like driving or cars. This can significantly impact a person’s ability to live a normal life or enjoy activities they used to love doing before.
For example, a person who loves taking road trips may be unable to even drive after a car accident due to their fear of getting into an accident again. Due to the impact of the accident, a survivor can claim compensation for this loss in a personal injury claim.
5. Substance Use Disorder
Survivors may also develop substance use disorder in an attempt to cope with the trauma of the car accident. They may use copious amounts of drugs or alcohol to numb their pain or prevent themselves from reliving the experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the emotional trauma resulting from car accidents, while common, can be serious and should not be taken lightly. Common psychological issues that survivors can deal with include depression, anxiety, and PTSD, among others. With the right kind of help, survivors can overcome these issues. The role of professional assistance in such matters shouldn’t be taken lightly.
It is also important for survivors to remember that they are entitled to compensation for any emotional distress they have faced due to a car accident and should get the right legal assistance immediately.
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