Sometimes, after an auto accident, the physical injuries may pale in comparison to the psychological trauma the accident victims suffer. While very serious car wrecks are likely to cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even relatively minor collisions can leave the injured parties with lingering issues.
Learning more about the psychological effects of accidents can be beneficial in the aftermath of a wreck.
Fearing getting behind the wheel again
It is fairly common for drivers to be wary of resuming driving after getting into an accident. But even passengers can be nervous about riding in a vehicle if they were in a car when the collision occurred. Fortunately, as one psychiatrist who co-authored After the Crash: Psychological Assessment and Treatment of Survivors of Motor Vehicle Accidents noted, there are various therapeutic tools to employ to negate the mental effects of an accident.
Don’t bottle up your emotions
Talking it out with friends, family and medical professionals is one way to process your anxiety after a wreck. You will need to resolve your issues if you are ever to feel comfortable driving or riding in vehicles. When that occurs, don’t take a solo ride. Ask someone you trust to accompany you to help you get over the lingering mental blocks.
Include your psychological trauma in claims for damages
Just like a broken leg or whiplash, your anxiety and fear of driving or just riding in vehicles are consequences of your auto accident. As such, the at-fault driver’s insurance company should be made aware of this damage just as physical injuries are reported.