While the physical effects of a car wreck can cause untold suffering, the mental effects are somewhat more subtle and insidious. Together, the physical and mental damage to your life forms the full complement of what you are owed from the at-fault driver. Never allow yourself to discount the compensation you are owed for the ways your mental health has been negatively affected by an accident. Read on to learn more.
Two Types of Damages
Damages can be described as the way the accident has impacted you. Most of the time, your damages will be both economic and non-economic. Economic damages are things that can be priced in a forthright manner, like medical expenses, car repairs, and lost wages. For example, if you have proof that you lost 10 days of work due to the wreck, your economic damages are your usual daily pay rate multiplied by 10. Non-economic damages, however, are calculated differently. The way you are paid for these damages usually is based on a combination of your medical expenses and your proof of mental issues.
Proving Non-Economic Damages
When it comes to proving this category of damage, it's important to know the full variety of common problems associated with a car accident. Some of those include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Loss of consortium (the way your family has suffered as a result of the accident)
To prove the above forms of damage, begin keeping a journal as soon as possible after the wreck. Record your thoughts and feelings along with events like medical treatments. There is often a direct correlation between your physical problems and the emotional fallout, and there is a good reason for basing your non-economic damages, in part, on the dollar amount of your medical expenses. Additionally, seek treatment for your mental issues and follow all the practitioner's suggestions.
Watch For These Mental Disturbances
Accident victims tend to overlook this area of compensation. It's only natural to place your attention on healing from your physical injuries. Take a look at some common signs of mental problems from a wreck:
1. Anxiety – Can be connected to specific actions, like driving or riding in a car, or be free floating and non-specific.
2. Depression – A lack of interest in activities you previously enjoyed, sleeping or eating too much, feeling tired all the time, etc.
3. Feelings of anger, fear, irritability, etc.
4. And much more.
Speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to get started on the road to economic recovery.
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