Trauma is an individual’s unique response to a situation. This means that while two people may experience the same traumatic event, they may respond to the situation very differently.
After a car accident, people are often in shock. This is especially true in very severe auto accidents when there are serious or fatal injuries. A person can feel any number of different emotions and these feelings may continue even after the initial impact fades.
If you are struggling with emotional shock after a car accident, it is important to get help. According to the NCBI, individuals who experience a serious motor vehicle accident are at an increased risk for physiological issues, particularly PTSD.
What are the Symptoms of Shock?
Trauma is an individual’s unique response to a situation. This means that while two people may experience the same traumatic event, they may respond to the situation very differently. One person may develop psychological trauma and the other person may not. Therefore, each person will have their unique set of symptoms. However, the most common symptoms of shock or emotional trauma people experience include:
- Severe anxiety
- Feeling afraid or panicking
- Upset stomach
- Racing heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Muscles tension
- Unreasonably upset or agitated
- A headache or body aches
- Overwhelming exhaustion
The term “emotional shock” is not a clinical diagnosis. However, it is used to refer to general psychological trauma. Shock can last up to a month or more and can also be what is called delayed shock. Delayed shock means it may take a few days following a traumatic event before a person begins to feel any of the symptoms.
Compensation for Shock after a Car Accident
The majority of personal injury claims, such as car accident claims, are for physical injuries. However, it may be possible to claim compensation for psychological trauma. Just as with a physical injury, you have to be able to prove that your emotional injury was directly caused by the traumatic incident due to another person’s negligence.
In addition, the type of emotional trauma you experience and the effects it has on you either emotionally or physically, are taken into account. For instance, just being sad or distressed after experiencing a car accident is not enough to claim compensation for emotional trauma.
Because of the complex nature of such cases, these claims are much more complicated than physical injury claims. This is because a number of very specific criteria must be met in order to have a valid claim.
St. Louis Auto Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been in a serious car accident and are experiencing emotional shock or serious psychological trauma, contact our St. Louis auto injury attorneys for a free consultation. We can help you determine whether or not you have a claim for compensation.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!
Free Consultation (314) 361-4242