When you think about motor vehicle accidents, more likely than not, the first things that pop into your mind are physical injuries and insurance claims. These are very real and immediate problems facing those who have been in an automobile accident. It’s important to take care of yourself and your investments as soon as possible. But looking beyond the immediate harm, there’s something much deeper and potentially more damaging on the horizon.
Car accidents are a form of trauma, no matter how minor or insignificant the accident may have been. The victim is psychologically affected, regardless of the severity of the injuries or the cost of the damage. The key in these situations is that the person has changed. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is very real and can influence the way a person functions. This filters down from the individual to those closest to him, including friends and family.
Those suffering from PTSD have a wide range of negative emotions building inside them. Oftentimes, they don’t know how to handle them or how to make them go away. As the name implies, patients are subject to intense mental and emotional distress. This manifests in the form of depression, anxiety, crippling fear, and even insomnia. Patients may be unreasonably angry and irritable and lash out at friends or loved ones.
This can be difficult to be around, much less to live with. PTSD left untreated and ignored can spiral and become uncontrollable. It can cause undue stress, both for the patient and his family. This ultimately leads to more tension and more stress when family members aren’t getting along and don’t want to be around one another.
Maybe you’re feeling irrationally angry and irritable all the time. Maybe you’re having trouble sleeping at night because of recurring nightmares about the accident. Maybe you keep burning bridges left and right with people you care about, but you don’t know how to snap out of it. For those that have been in a car accident, it goes deeper than just the accident, and you should consult an attorney immediately.
The ramifications of automobile accidents are much deeper than physical injuries, and they can be much more expensive. If you or a loved one has suffered a motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team of expert attorneys here at Wayne Hardee Law would be glad to meet with you and discuss your case in greater detail. Contact us today if you’ve been in a car accident!
