Receiving Compensation for Psychological Damages in a Car Accident

 Posted on May 12, 2016 in Personal Injury

pain and suffering, psychological injuries, DuPage County car accident lawyersOver the last several decades, advancements in science and human behavior have created entirely new standards for the way we look at mental health. Emotional and behavioral issues that were once ignored or written off have become increasingly recognized as legitimate medical concerns, often treatable with a combination of various types of therapy and medication regimens. When mental health or psychological issues are caused by a traumatic event, such as a car accident, however, there seems to be some hesitancy to recognize the injuries as medical in nature. In most cases, compensation for emotional or psychological injuries is possible, but the path to financial recovery is often more complicated.

Compensation for Medical Expenses

You probably realize that if you are physically injured in an auto accident caused by another person, he or she will typically be responsible for covering the costs of your necessary medical treatment. In most cases, this is handled through auto insurance companies, at least at first, but, depending on the severity of your injuries, may require litigation to secure full reimbursement. Proving that your injuries were the result of the accident is usually straightforward, with doctor’s notes and medical records providing reliable evidence.

Psychological and Emotional Impact

An event like a car accident can certainly affect a person’s mental health as well, and in several different ways. Of course, there is the accident itself, which could potentially contribute to the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Many victims also have trouble dealing with the effects of their physical injuries, as the inability to work or even just the pain can cause stress, anxiety, and depression. These conditions, however, are much more difficult to relate directly to an auto accident. Mental health, psychological, and psychiatric disorders are rarely the result of a single incident, as most involve a whole host of risk factors and biological predisposition.

Delayed Onset

Personal injury claims tend to classify damages for mental and emotional injuries as pain and suffering rather than including them as medical expenses. Most physical injuries are evident immediately following the accident or within a few days. Psychological issues may not develop for weeks or even months after the fact. This also makes proving causation even more difficult, yet critically important. If you hope to collect compensation for emotional damages, your treating providers must reliably show that the accident was a major contributing factor to your psychological injuries.

Get the Full Compensation You Deserve

When you have been injured in a car accident, you may feel the effects for the rest of your life. Contact an experience DuPage County personal injury lawyer to discuss your options for recovering all available damages, including those for pain and suffering. Call 630-920-8855 to schedule your free initial consultation today.

Sources:

http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/circuitcourt/civiljuryinstructions/30.00.pdf

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/causes/con-20022540

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