Can You Get Depression After a Car Accident?

There’s no doubt that car accidents are stressful events that seriously impact all aspects of your health. They can leave you with not only physical injuries but also emotional ones. So don’t ignore it if you now suffer from depression after a car accident. You can file a claim for financial compensation today.

The mental effects of a car accident, including depression, are genuine. You’ll want to pay attention to how the car accident has affected your mental health and daily life. If you weren’t at fault for your accident, you can include your depression as non-economic damages in your insurance claim.

Depression Is Common After a Car Accident

It’s normal to cycle through many emotions after a car accident. You might feel scared, shocked, angry, confused, anxious, or sad. You’re probably worried about how your injuries will impact your work, home, and financial life. You might be very angry at the other driver for causing the crash that has changed your life.

Sometimes, the emotions from a car accident don’t go away with time. If the sadness or anxiety persists, you may be experiencing depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the accident. Even if you feel okay for a while after the crash, symptoms can begin weeks or even months afterward.

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Understanding Feelings of Depression After a Car Accident

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), depression symptoms can include:

• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or guilt
• Feeling persistently sad, empty, or anxious
• Losing interest in activities or hobbies you used to enjoy
• Trouble concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
• Thoughts of suicide or death or attempting suicide
• Low energy, as if everything is “slowed down,” or fatigue
• Low or loss of appetite or weight loss
• Overeating or weight gain
• Insomnia or sleeping too much
• Irritability or feelings of restlessness
• Physical issues like pain, digestive problems, or headaches that don’t respond well to treatment or can’t be explained in another way

Car accident victims might have lasting memories or thoughts of the accident, constant or excessive worry or anxiety, a constant feeling of unease, or fear of seeing doctors or keeping medical tests done.

Depression or other mental health issues can also impact how you heal and recover after the accident. Research has shown psychological stress can mess with your body’s ability to heal physically. It can also contribute to chronic pain and keep your body in a constant “fight-or-flight” state that shouldn’t naturally persist.

Reasons for Depression After a Car Accident

Although we don’t have all the answers, many car accident victims experience depression or anxiety after the crash changes elements of their life. Life might look different for several reasons. For example:

• The car accident victim’s injuries might limit their work or participation in other activities after the accident.
• Socialization might be more complicated than it used to be, perhaps because of a concussion, brain injury, or others simply not understanding what it was like to be in an accident.
• The victim might fear the same type of accident happening again every time they get into a vehicle.
• If the car accident injuries change the victim’s appearance or physical abilities, they might feel embarrassment, fear, or isolation.

Anxiety, depression, or PTSD can also come on without a car accident victim understanding why. What’s essential is understanding they aren’t alone and that getting help is the number one priority. You can absolutely get depression after a car accident, and that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Contact your doctor if you were injured in a car accident and might have depression. They will recommend a physical and psychological evaluation so you can get the proper treatment for yourself. Also, if you have thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harm to others, contact a mental health provider or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right away.

Can You Get Depression After a Car Accident?

If you were not at fault for your accident, you’ll want to contact a trusted car accident lawyer, as well. They can help you seek a settlement for your car accident injuries, and that can include mental injuries. You have the right to compensation for pain and suffering damages, therapy, and other costs of treatment.

Don’t Let Insurance Companies Downplay Your Depression

Insurance companies are notorious for downplaying mental anguish and depression after car accidents. This is primarily due to psychological trauma not manifesting itself visibly. We believe that all of your physical or psychological injuries should get the compensation it deserves. 

Despite their claims otherwise, insurance companies are always looking for ways to settle your claim for way less than what its true value is. Therefore, you should never accept the initial settlement offer. Always review all of your legal options before signing or agreeing to anything with the insurance company.

Get Help from an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer

If you experience mental health issues like depression after a car accident, don’t suffer alone or try to avoid what you’re feeling. Instead, talk to a doctor about your symptoms, and contact an experienced car accident lawyer if you did not cause your accident. 

Even though the law doesn’t require that you hire a lawyer to assist you with your claim, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t seek legal assistance. Our lawyers will help you recover a settlement for your depression and other damages related to your car accident by: 

• Organizing and gathering evidence related to your car accident. 
• Talking to accident reconstruction experts and medical experts to show how your depression has affected your life negatively. 
• Negotiate for a settlement on your behalf. 
• Take your claim to court if necessary. 
• Ensure that the insurance company provides you with a fair settlement amount. 

Our lawyers do a lot to ensure that you get the best settlement possible. You don’t owe us anything for our services if we can’t recover compensation for your depression and other car accident damages.

Talk to a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today

Our car accident attorneys here at John Foy & Associates have been helping car accident victims win the compensation they need for over 20 years. We are skilled, compassionate, and here to listen to how the accident has impacted your life. Contact us today or contact us online for a free consultation to discuss your compensation options after the crash.