When you are involved in a car accident, the physical damages are often visible, with bruises, cuts, or casts on broken bones. However, the emotional damages that can result from a car accident often go overlooked, leaving many accident victims suffering alone. If you have been involved in a crash due to a negligent driver, it’s not uncommon to endure emotional distress as a result. The following blog explores what you must know about recovering compensation for the harm you’ve suffered with the help of a Baltimore County auto accident attorney.
What Is Emotional Distress?
When you undergo a traumatic or stressful event, you may experience emotional distress as a result. Generally, this refers to the emotional response someone experiences from an event or the memory of an event. This is something many car accident victims endure.
For example, the emotional distress you endure because of a car crash can manifest in many different ways. It’s not uncommon for victims to suffer anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or insomnia. Victims may be anxious to get in the car, prohibiting them from working and enjoying a normal life. Additionally, they may be unable to sleep due to the pain or fear of nightmares, which can negatively impact many areas of their lives.
How Is This Proven?
Unlike physical injuries, which can be proven with an X-ray or MRI, emotional damages are often hard to prove because there is no visible injury to your mind. However, these damages can have severe impacts on those suffering, and there are ways to help establish emotional distress.
One way to prove the suffering you’ve endured is to speak to a professional. When you meet with a therapist or psychiatrist, they can accurately diagnose you, helping verify that the accident has led to emotional issues.
You can also use the physical injuries you’ve suffered to strengthen the claim that you are suffering emotionally. For example, if you suffer chronic migraines as a result of a severe concussion sustained in the accident, this can help support the claim.
Finally, testimony from friends and family can help show how you’ve changed following your accident. For example, your wife may speak to the fact that you’ve never missed your child’s soccer games before, but now that you are afraid to get in a car, it’s negatively impacting your life and your relationship with your child, causing further emotional injury.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Unfortunately, proving emotional distress following an accident can be difficult. It’s not always as simple as telling the court you’re anxious and receiving a positive outcome. This process can feel invasive, so it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney to discuss the best way to proceed. Having a lawyer on your side can help protect your best interest and rights during this process.
Not only can they help you feel more comfortable during this process, but your lawyer will also fight to help you recover the compensation you deserve when you’re suffering because of a negligent driver. At the Law Offices of Markey & Orsi, we know that car accidents can take a toll on those involved. That’s why our team is committed to fighting for you. Don’t suffer in silence; contact us today to learn how we can assist you.
