Emotional Trauma: The Unseen Effects of a Car Accident

Unfortunately, Car accidents are common on California roads, resulting in physical injuries and monetary losses.

However, the impact of these types of accidents can go beyond physical losses and significantly affect the affected parties’ health and mental well-being. Although there is a tendency to downplay these, the psychological effects of an accident can be quite severe, so the legal protections you can obtain after an accident take them into account when seeking compensation.

Many car accident survivors experience some emotional trauma. These often bring brain injury symptoms that could permanently affect a person’s life.

Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Given the sudden nature of an accident, it is common for affected people to develop some trauma response. Some symptoms of this condition may include regressions at the time of the accident, nightmares, and severe anxiety. PTSD can interfere with daily life, making routine tasks challenging, especially those that may remind the victim of their accident.

Anxiety and depression: The fear and uncertainty associated with a collision can cause ongoing anxiety to the point where it can cause physical limitations and negative changes in the affected person’s lifestyle. The appearance of these conditions represents a challenge for the total recovery of the affected person, which is why they may require specialized medical attention and treatment.

Long-term emotional effects: The emotional impact of a car accident does not always disappear over time and can manifest itself in symptoms such as chronic anxiety, phobias related to driving, and a general decrease in the quality of life of the affected person.

When someone survives a traumatic accident or other event, it is difficult to predict its long-term effects, especially in terms of emotional damage. This is why it is best to be cautious and assume that any psychological injury will be severe enough to require professional medical treatment.

About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.