Compensation for Psychological Trauma After a St. Louis Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident that caused physical injuries, it’s highly probable that you have also sustained psychological trauma.

Accidents occur suddenly, they have a great impact on your life, and recovery often takes a toll on victims. That’s why you should include mental injuries in your car accident claim too. 

However, it’s not always easy to quantify the mental damage a victim has suffered. A mental health specialist can help you in this regard and based on their findings, you can make a reasonable claim to the insurance company. Working with a good St. Louis car accident lawyer can help tremendously if your claim involves mental injuries. They know what kind of evidence will be taken into account and how to make it relevant in a legal context. 

Types of Mental Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

There are many possible psychological injuries that may occur after being involved in a car accident. They include:

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mood disorders
• Feelings of isolation and insecurity

It’s difficult to predict how a person will react to the change in their daily lives, medical investigations, and treatments they go through, having to isolate themselves at home, etc. Depending on how severe their physical injuries are and their predisposition to mental health issues, psychological trauma can vary from mild disturbances to impairing conditions. 

How to Calculate the Compensation for Mental Health Injuries

In order to launch a successful claim for mental injuries after a car accident, it’s crucial to get diagnosed by a mental health specialist, like a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Go to see a specialist as soon as you notice symptoms of mental health issues, and follow the recommendations they give you. Not following up with your treatment can harm your claim, and as can talking about your accident on social media. 

In fact, it’s wise to stay off your social media accounts altogether, as insurance companies often analyze your posts, comments, and even emoji reactions in order to find something that could be interpreted as a discrepancy in your statements. For example, something seemingly harmless can be used against you if you’re claiming that you are suffering from depression after the car accident you’ve had. It might sound ridiculous and irrelevant, but don’t be surprised if insurance adjusters add this to your case as counter-evidence for your claim.

Psychological trauma is quantified by looking into how your life has changed after the accident and how well you are coping with the changes. Medical reports from mental health specialists will serve as hard evidence, and statements from you and your close ones will be recorded. 

Speak With an Experienced St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer

If you have suffered from mental health issues after your car accident, speak with a St. Louis auto accident lawyer who can evaluate your claim. They can help you pursue compenation not only for economical damages, but also the pain and suffering you are going through.