According to a Philadelphia car accident lawyer, motor vehicle accidents can be devastating both physically and emotionally. Many people suffer from mental health challenges for months or years after a car crash. Feelings of shock, anger, guilt, or intense fear are all common following an accident. This article will examine the aftermath of car accidents on mental health and discuss how a Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help seek reimbursement for physical and psychological injuries.
There are millions of car accidents each year in the United States. It’s quite common for accident victims to have lingering emotional impacts from an accident. While sometimes these emotions are mild or short-lived, many times it takes psychological counseling for an individual to address the mental health impacts of an accident. A Philadelphia car accident lawyer has seen many instances of victims suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following an accident.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, post-traumatic stress after a car accident may include symptoms such as:
- Enduring thoughts or memories of the accident that you can’t control or stop
- Trouble sleeping or having intense nightmares
- Anxiety about driving or riding as a passenger
- General, ongoing uneasiness
- Hesitation about follow-up medical care
- Irritability or anger
- Excessive or constant worry
Seeking Help After a Car Accident
Talk with your family doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. In addition to addressing the physical impacts of the crash, your family doctor can make recommendations about your mental health care, including referrals to therapists or psychiatrists, as needed. Effective treatments exist for PTSD and other stress-related trauma. A doctor or mental health professional can help develop a treatment plan to help you regain control after a traumatic event.
In the aftermath of a car accident, many people find that the costs of health care can be extreme. When the accident was caused by another person’s negligence, a Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help clients seek compensation for the medical costs, including mental health costs, following an accident. Filing a claim against a negligent party can also help the accident victim to feel empowered by taking proactive steps to help themselves after a car accident. A personal injury attorney can represent and advocate for an accident victim in a car accident lawsuit.
Compensation for Car Accident Victims
An experienced personal injury attorney can help clients purse the best possible outcome for their claim. Many times, insurance companies try to short-change clients by providing only minimal compensation for their injuries. By working with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer, clients can seek compensation for damages that include:
- Hospital and surgical expenses
- Doctor office visits
- Physical therapy
- Counseling appointments
- Psychiatry appointments
- Medications for physical or mental health care
- Lost Income
- Compensation for pain and suffering
Just as physical impacts of an accident can take months or years to recover, mental health scars can also take a long recovery period. It’s important to maintain records of your medical and psychological health expenses, so that a Philadelphia car accident lawyer can present this information during your case.
Contact the Wieand Law Firm Today!
The Philadelphia car accident lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm work on a contingency basis. This means that you never pay a fee unless we win money for your case. This allows US to focus on your case, while YOU focus on healing. Our biggest victories are watching our clients recover – both physically and emotionally – and knowing that we did everything we could to support them during this time. Call 215-666-7777 or send us a message via the online form for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney.
