Even a small car wreck, which results only in minor personal injuries, can cause short-term psychological and emotional turmoil for both the victim and the driver who is at fault. But car wrecks that result in serious personal injuries, such as amputations, paralysis, and even death, can result in long-term emotional toil that can affect not only the victim but also the victim’s loved ones.
One thing is for certain, if you’re the victim of a personal injury due to a car wreck that wasn’t your fault, you need to find the best personal injury attorney who specializes in auto accidents that you can find. Says the professionals at Willie D. Powells III & Associates, a Houston personal injury lawyer, if you’ve suffered a serious injury by a reckless or negligent driver, you will require the services of a personal injury lawyer who doesn’t just say he or she will get results. You need one who possesses a track record of wins and major settlements that prove they will get results.
You also need a lawyer who is going to treat you with all the kindness and compassion you deserve since it’s likely you are not only suffering financially and physically but psychologically too. In fact, no matter how bad your physical injuries are due to a car wreck, it will be the emotional issues that can plague you for many years to come. How can we go about better understanding the emotional toil suffered after a vehicular accident?
According to a recent report by Psychreg, the answer lies in the trauma that a bad accident causes. Auto accidents, especially serious ones, are, at base, traumatic events that can have long-term effects on a person’s life. Here are just some of the psychological effects of vehicular wrecks and the different ways they affect the people who are involved in them. Can these victims eventually learn to become happier and healthier people? That’s the million-dollar question that remains to be seen.
The Psychological and Emotional Effects of Car Wrecks
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car wrecks are one of the leading causes of injury and death in both children and adults alike. The emotional and psychological effects of these accidents are often severe, especially if they involve serious physical trauma to the body or the death of a loved one. This is one of the major reasons why it’s so important to understand the psychological effects of automobile wrecks so that they can be prevented.
One of the first detrimental effects an auto accident can have on a person’s life is posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Known primarily as a battlefield psychological disorder, PTSD can also occur when someone experiences trauma on the domestic front, such as constant emotional stress, physical injury, or trauma due to events and occurrences that are beyond their control.
In all these situations, it’s only natural for people who suffer from PTSD to place their obsessive focus on situations they feel are dangerous and away from those that they feel are safe. These could include simple things like driving a car, for instance. This is said to make sense, especially when you take into account how many auto accidents occur on an annual basis.
In a word, people who suffer from PTSD are crippled with fear of the unknown. While they realize getting behind the wheel of a car can be a safe experience, they also obsess over the many dangers that could be lurking on the roads. When they least expect it, they could be T-boned by a drunk driver who runs a red light, for example.
Finding a Reliable Attorney After an Accident
Again, if you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident, it’s important to find the best personal injury lawyer who will represent you to the best of his or her ability. A reputable personal injury lawyer who also specializes in auto accidents will not only assist you with cutting your out-of-pocket medical expenses but also provide you with the much-needed emotional support and guidance you will need throughout the legal proceedings.
Just about all reputable personal injury attorneys will offer you and those closest to you a free consultation so they can educate you on the legal process and how much they will charge you. Some lawyers won’t charge anything unless they win your case.
Don’t just choose the first lawyer that comes along. Look into multiple options and opinions before choosing the lawyer you feel best understands you and your situation. Only then will you feel emotionally and financially protected.
What You Should Expect After an Accident
Immediately after a bad car wreck, the survivors usually experience anger, sadness, or a combination of both. By choosing to drive responsibly, you are electing to avoid bad accidents. Failing to do so can have an adverse effect on your overall mental health.
When the time comes to move forward after you’ve been involved in a bad car wreck, you should think about speaking with someone who has professional experience in dealing with this variety of physical and psychological trauma, such as a psychologist or a therapist. There’s no reason to go through the process of moving on all alone.
There are more than enough mental health professionals out there who can help. If you’re having trouble finding the right professional, consult with your general practitioner, who can recommend a reputable therapist.
Coping with the Aftermath of a Bad Car Wreck car
Says Psychreg, a car wreck is a difficult situation to deal with. However, it’s not impossible to deal with. There are said to be many ways you can cope with the aftermath of an accident without having to spend too much cash or time on seeking professional treatment for your emotional trauma.
Just a few of these “coping mechanisms” include the following:
–Jot down your true feelings in a journal.
–Talk openly about your feelings with close friends and trusted family members.
–Take care of your physical health by getting back in shape via jogging, yoga, weightlifting, boxing, etc.
–Meditate for 20 to 40 minutes every day (midday is usually the best time for this healing activity).
Keep in mind that taking care of your physical and emotional needs after surviving a bad car wreck should take precedence above all other aspects of your life, including your work obligations. Remember, you can’t help anyone else if you can’t help yourself first. A bad car wreck can be debilitating physically and emotionally, but it doesn’t need to destroy your life altogether.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
