If you were driving to work in New York and a drunk driver veered across the center line of traffic, smashed into your car, and caused you to suffer injuries, including broken bones, lacerations, and contusions, anyone who would see you in the near aftermath of the accident would immediately notice your injuries. However, not all car accident injuries are so immediately apparent. If you were to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, for instance, many people may cross your path without realizing you were a recovering accident victim.
The emotional and psychological injuries associated with motor vehicle collisions can be devastating. Those who suffer often face tremendous challenges because their injuries are not visible. Your spouse, children, or others close to you would obviously know you were suffering, yet that wouldn’t necessarily make your recovery any easier.
Are you experiencing any of these problems?
You may not even realize you suffered an injury if you’re not already familiar with how emotional and psychological injuries often present themselves. The following list points out the common types of non-bodily injuries associated with car accidents:
- Short or long-term memory loss
- Trouble sleeping
- Chronic anxiety issues
- Irrational fears
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
One of the most important things you can do if you suffer these types of injuries is to remember you are not alone. There are various types of support resources you can access to seek help.
Assets to the emotional injury recovery process
Relying on others can be therapeutic, and you just might be able to help someone else who has gone through a similar experience by sharing your own story and offering encouragement as well. The following people are typically nearby if you want to reach out for support as you try to recover from psychological or emotional car accident injuries:
- Your spouse
- A local minister
- A licensed therapist or counselor
- A support group where accident victims talk and help one another
- A personal injury attorney
There’s no limit to the number of resources you can access to help you overcome the consequences of psychological and emotional injuries. If you can’t sleep at night, can’t stop focusing on and talking about the accident as you remember it, and suffer from sudden bouts of extreme fear and anxiety, you may need a little extra help from those who care in order to get your life back on track.
The last person on the list of resources provided here can assist you in many ways, including helping you file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver or another negligent party who caused you to suffer. Litigation may not provide immediate healing of your injuries, but it can bring about compensation that you can use to cover the expenses of any medical or professional counseling treatment you obtain.
