Is It Possible To Sue For Emotional Problems From A Car Accident?
Injuries from a car accident are not limited to the physical. Emotional damages can also occur. Unfortunately, many people overlook the emotional damages in favor of pursuing compensation for physical damages. However, it is possible to file a claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for emotional problems. If you suffered from emotional injuries, here is what you need to know.
What Emotional Problems Can Result?
There are several emotional problems that can result after a car accident, including depression and anxiety. Depending on the circumstances of your car accident, post traumatic stress disorder could even develop. Emotional problems can often lead to other problems.
For instance, to cope with the effects of depression, some people turn to alcohol or drugs, which can have a direct impact on work, school, and relationships. Depression can make it challenging to work, which could have a negative impact on your financial situation.
Emotional damages can even lead to physical problems. For instance, stress has been linked with the development of migraines, acid reflux, and skin rashes. Stress can also have an impact on your cardiovascular health, which could mean you are at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
How Do You Prove the Link?
To receive compensation for the emotional problems, you must establish a link between the accident and your injuries. Simply claiming that you suffered emotionally after the accident is not enough. You need evidence to support your claims.
One method is to rely on your medical records. If you have received any treatment for emotional problems after the car accident, you can use those records as evidence. Ideally, you should have received treatment by a license psychologist or mental health therapist.
Your doctor can also detail the treatment and your condition in a written narrative. His or her narrative can even be used in court if the insurance company fails to settle with you.
If you have kept journals detailing your emotional problems since the accident, they can also be used as evidence. Witness statements that detail the changes to your emotional health can be useful, too. For instance, if your co-workers have noticed an increase in anxiety or anger, they can detail the behavior they have witnessed and whether it started after the accident.
An attorney, such as from The Jaklitsch Law Group, can help you determine what other evidence you can use to prove emotional damages. He or she can also help set the amount that you are requesting for those injuries.
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