Mental Trauma from a Car Crash

Monday, September 27, 2021

Mental Trauma from a Car Crash

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

In addition to suffering physical injuries, victims of serious car accidents can also suffer mental trauma, including emotional distress, mental anguish, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In those instances, the accident victim may be able to make mental distress a part of his or her personal injury claim. 

When drivers and passengers are involved in a serious car crash, they can suffer debilitating physical injuries, including fractures, soft tissue injuries, and head injuries that require prompt medical attention and rehabilitation. By the same token, accident victims can also suffer mental trauma as a result of their accident and everything that they went through because of it. In some instances, this psychological damage and mental trauma are compensable as part of a personal injury case. 

The knowledgeable team of Chicago car accident lawyers at Malman Law could help you pursue monetary compensation for the mental anguish and distress that you experienced as a result of your car accident injuries. Please call us today to discover more about how we could help with handling every aspect of your car accident claim or lawsuit.  

Types of Mental Trauma that a Car Accident Victim Might Suffer

As a result of a car accident that occurred in or around Chicago, an accident victim could suffer various types of mental trauma. That mental trauma might take the form of emotional distress or mental anguish. In addition, the accident victim might suffer a diagnosable mental condition, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, often called PTSD, include fear of operating a motor vehicle, frequent dreams about the car crash, and a general anxiousness or nervousness – especially when getting into a car.

If you are experiencing mental trauma after a motor vehicle collision, it is important that you speak with a mental health provider, such as a psychiatrist or a psychologist, who can diagnose your medical condition and determine your options for further treatment.

How to Obtain Monetary Compensation for Mental Trauma

In some instances following a serious car crash, you might be eligible to pursue and recover monetary compensation for the mental trauma that you endured following your accident. In order for mental trauma from a car crash to be compensable, a healthcare provider must causally relate it to the motor vehicle collision in which you were involved. In other words, there must be a healthcare provider who is willing to state in writing, and to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, that you suffered mental trauma or post-traumatic stress as a result of your car crash. In that instance, you might be able to make your diagnosed mental health condition a part of your personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Call an Experienced Chicago Car Accident Lawyer About Your Legal Matter Today

The skilled legal team at Malman Law will work hard to protect your legal rights and obtain the monetary compensation that you deserve for your injuries. For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced Chicago car accident attorney, please call us today at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online for more information about how we could assist you.