Life changes in an instant when you’re in a car crash.
You first think about all the physical injuries. Broken bones, whiplash, medical bills. However…
Traumatic brain injuries from a car accident can affect your mental health just as much as your body. Often times, they linger much longer too.
Cars play a huge role in our everyday lives. So it only makes sense that millions of Americans are impacted by car accidents every year.
The National Safety Council estimates there were 5.1 million injuries that required medical attention from motor vehicle incidents in 2023.
That means millions of families who have been affected by a car crash.
And for many accident survivors…
The stress and emotional trauma doesn’t go away with a few physical therapy sessions.
If you’re wondering how stress affects your health after a collision, this guide can help.
Partnering with a Car Accident Lawyer in Denver can help you recover compensation to cover both physical and psychological treatment.
What you need to know:
- The Mental Health Impact of Car Crashes
- Common Psychological Conditions After a Collision
- How Trauma Impacts Your Everyday Life
- Recovering Medical Expenses for Mental Health Treatment
The Mental Health Impact of Car Crashes
A car accident is easily one of the most traumatic things you can go through.
Whether you’re behind the wheel or riding as a passenger, vehicle collisions bring loss of control and the fear of death.
They leave a lasting impression on your brain.
Studies from the National Institute of Mental Health found that more than 39% of people involved in a crash go on to develop PTSD. That’s almost 4 in 10 people that will develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
Car crashes also lead to depression, anxiety, and phobias.
What’s worse is that a lot of survivors experience trauma but never seek help. They believe the emotional pain will simply “heal” over time.
The truth is…
Emotional trauma rarely gets better on its own. These problems often worsen if left untreated. They can also make it more difficult to recover medical expenses.
Common Psychological Conditions After a Collision
Everyone reacts differently to a car accident.
But there are some common psychological conditions you should be aware of as a crash survivor.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is the most common psychological condition associated with car accidents.
If you have PTSD after a collision, you may experience:
- Flashbacks and intrusive thoughts of the accident
- Nightmares and extreme difficulty sleeping
- Heightened anxiety when riding in a car or driving yourself
- Emotional numbness and avoidance tactics
PTSD symptoms can appear immediately after a crash. However, they don’t always show up right away.
Post-traumatic stress can develop days, weeks, or even months after the accident. Which is why a lot of people don’t connect PTSD symptoms to their collision.
Anxiety and Depression
In addition to PTSD, car accidents can cause anxiety disorders and depression.
Feelings of anxiety can appear as panic attacks, an inability to focus, and constantly worrying about every detail.
When you develop depression after a car crash, you may experience:
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Slowed thinking
- Persistent feelings of sadness
Physical injuries can compound these symptoms. Dealing with physical pain after an accident can increase your likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder or depression.
Driving Phobia
Head injuries from a car accident are also known to cause phobias.
Perhaps the most underrated effect of a collision is the fear of driving.
Some accident survivors cannot drive without feeling intense panic or having a full-blown panic attack.
Others avoid driving altogether.
Consider how driving plays a role in your daily life.
Whether it’s commuting to work, driving your kids to school, or running errands… Not being able to get behind the wheel can cripple your day-to-day activities.
How Trauma Impacts Your Everyday Life
Your mental health does not live in a bubble.
Sure, you may experience stress or trauma after your collision. But how that trauma affects your mental health reaches far beyond the accident itself.
Here are some ways a car accident can change your life:
- You become less productive at work. Mental trauma can cause extreme difficulty concentrating. Some accident survivors can no longer maintain their productivity at work and choose to seek extended leave or change professions.
- Your personal relationships begin to weaken. Emotional trauma can cause you to withdraw from your spouse, children, and friends. Many people experience irritability and mood swings after an accident.
- Your overall health begins to decline. Trauma can lead to a host of physical problems. Headaches, muscle tension, and sleep disorders are very common after a crash.
- You feel the financial strain. Therapy sessions, psychiatrist visits, and medications are expensive. The stress of mounting treatment costs and lost wages only compound your stress.
Injury victims often don’t realise they can recover compensation to cover mental health treatment.
Seeing a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist is considered a “medical expense.”
That makes therapy appointments, psychiatry visits, and medication recoverable damages.
Recovering Medical Expenses for Mental Health Treatment
You deserve to get better after a car accident.
But did you know that seeing a therapist or counselor is covered under your claim?
With a personal injury lawyer, you can recover compensation to cover mental health treatment.
Treating your mental trauma is just as important as treating your physical injuries.
However, there are certain things you can do to recover these costs.
In order to recover compensation for medical expenses related to mental health, you need to:
- Receive an official diagnosis from a licensed therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist.
- Visit your therapist regularly to help build a timeline of your condition.
- Keep detailed notes on how your mental health affects your daily life.
- Hold on to any receipts and bills that relate to mental health treatment.
- Keep a journal of your symptoms and use it to track progress.
A lot of people reject the idea of stress and trauma from a car crash affecting your mental health. But it happens more often than you think.
Insurance companies will try to downplay mental health injuries because they’re “invisible.”
You have to prove that your condition was caused by the accident. That’s why maintaining extensive documentation can make or break your case.
Partnering with a personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process and fight for your right to recovery.
The Bottom Line
Pressure and trauma from a car accident can take a serious toll on your mental well-being.
PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias are serious conditions that require immediate attention.
Don’t ignore the symptoms.
Contacting your insurance company and seeking professional help as soon as possible can help you both physically and financially recover from your accident.
