Anxiety After A Car Accident - Can I Sue My Insurance Company For Emotional Distress?
Car accidents in San Bernardino often leave victims grappling with more than just physical injuries. It’s not uncommon for those involved in car accidents to experience anxiety and other forms of emotional distress afterward. Emotional distress, including anxiety, can seep into every corner of your life, making even the simplest tasks overwhelming. Beyond the financial burdens that come with medical bills and vehicle repairs, many accident victims face the added challenge of managing emotional trauma.
A study from the National Library of Medicine highlights the serious emotional consequences faced by car accident survivors. It revealed that 32.3% of road traffic accident (RTA) survivors experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while 17.4% showed signs of depression. Anxiety was recorded as affecting 5.8% of RTA victims, underscoring the importance of addressing these invisible injuries alongside the physical ones.
At the Gold Firm, we understand the profound impact that anxiety and emotional distress can have. Our team is dedicated to helping you seek justice for the psychological toll that a car accident can leave behind.
What Is Emotional Distress After A San Bernardino Car Accident?
Emotional distress after a car accident is a type of psychological injury that can deeply impact an individual’s well-being, often as severely as physical injuries. Traumatic events like car accidents can be sudden and overwhelming, leaving victims feeling helpless or as though they should have prevented the accident. These experiences can trigger a range of stressors during the accident itself, including anxiety, which may evolve into lasting emotional and psychological consequences.
If you experience any of the following symptoms for more than a few weeks after being in a car accident in San Bernardino, and they interfere with your ability to function normally, you may be dealing with emotional distress:
- Uncontrollable intrusive thoughts about the accident
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Psychological distress when reminded of the accident
- Avoidance of driving or riding in a car
- Hypervigilance while in a car or being easily startled
- An altered sense of reality, where the world feels unreal or dreamlike
- Memory gaps regarding the accident
- Difficulty concentrating
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing
- Persistent fear, worry, or panic attacks
- Difficulty managing emotions
- Outbursts of anger or irritability
- Deep sadness or despair
- Feelings of guilt for surviving or burdening caregivers
- Intense loneliness or emotional pain
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Disconnection from family or friends
- Suicidal thoughts
These symptoms might be signs of PTSD, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or survivor’s guilt, which are all possible forms of emotional distress after being in a car accident.
The duration of these symptoms varies from person to person. Some people may find relief after a few weeks, while others might experience ongoing emotional distress for months or years. If you notice that these symptoms are not improving, it’s essential to reach out to a healthcare provider for guidance and support. This is not just important for receiving the help you need to overcome emotional distress, but also to have it on record that you are experiencing these symptoms when pursuing compensation. No one should have to navigate the aftermath of a traumatic car accident alone, and there are resources available to help you recover and regain a sense of normalcy.
Can I Pursue Emotional Distress Car Accident Compensation?
Yes, you can sue for anxiety and other forms of emotional distress after a car accident in San Bernardino. When you file a compensation lawsuit, you are entitled to seek damages for both economic and non-economic losses.
- Economic losses are straightforward to document and include costs such as:
- Medical bills
- Doctor consultations
- Prescriptions
- Assistive devices
- Physical therapy
- Surgical costs
- Loss of income due to missed work
- Non-economic losses are more challenging to quantify, but are just as significant. These include emotional damages such as:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Grief
- Anxiety
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
- Chronic fear
- Any loss of bodily function or ability
While economic losses can be easily demonstrated through bills and medical records, non-economic losses require a more nuanced approach. A San Bernardino car accident lawyer from our team will help you ensure that your anxiety and other emotional damages are properly valued and included in your lawsuit. They will work to demonstrate how the emotional impact of the accident has disrupted your life, allowing you to seek the full compensation you deserve.
If you need help pursuing a claim for anxiety after a car accident, our team at The Gold Firm is ready to assist you. We will fight to ensure that all your emotional and financial losses are acknowledged and compensated.
How To Prove Emotional Distress In A Car Accident Claim
Proving emotional distress, such as anxiety or PTSD, after a car accident is an important part of pursuing compensation. Emotional distress can be challenging to demonstrate since it often involves invisible injuries, but a strong case can be made with the right evidence. If you need assistance, our team at The Gold Firm is here to support you. A car accident lawyer in San Bernardino from our team will gather the necessary evidence to build a compelling case for your emotional distress.
One of the most important steps is obtaining a formal diagnosis from a mental health professional, as it provides a credible foundation for your claim. Beyond that, several types of evidence can strengthen your case, including:
- Daily journal entries documenting your emotional struggles and their impact on your day-to-day life.
- Sworn testimony from you, as well as from family members, friends, or colleagues who have observed changes in your behavior since the accident.
- Pictures or videos that capture shifts in your behavior or mannerisms, illustrating the emotional toll the accident has taken.
- Social media posts from you or others, which may reveal the extent of your emotional distress or changes in your activities.
- Prescription records that demonstrate any medications you have been prescribed for anxiety, PTSD, or other emotional conditions.
- Medical records that detail your psychological evaluation, therapy sessions, and any treatment you’ve received for emotional trauma.
At The Gold Firm, our experienced team of San Bernardino car accident lawyers knows how to gather and present this evidence effectively, ensuring that your emotional suffering is fully acknowledged and compensated. Let us help you get the justice and support you deserve.
Can I Sue My Insurance Company For Emotional Distress?
In California, car accident claims operate under an “at-fault” system. This means that if you are involved in a car accident and want to pursue compensation for your injuries and emotional distress, you must seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The insurance of the driver responsible for the accident should cover both your physical injuries and emotional damages, such as anxiety or PTSD.
However, not all drivers carry insurance, or they may have insufficient coverage to fully compensate you for your losses. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still have options. In these cases, you can turn to your own insurance policy if you have underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. This type of coverage is specifically designed to protect you when the other driver cannot pay for the damages they caused, including emotional distress.
If you’re unsure how to proceed with a claim or want to ensure that all avenues for compensation are explored, our team at The Gold Firm can help. We will guide you through the complexities of pursuing a car accident claim in an at-fault state like California, ensuring that you have the best chance to recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Need Help Pursuing Compensation For Anxiety After A Car Accident?
If you are experiencing anxiety or other forms of emotional distress after being in a car accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for the emotional impact of the accident. Emotional distress can significantly affect your quality of life, making everyday activities challenging and disrupting your well-being. At The Gold Firm, we understand the profound impact that emotional trauma can have after a car accident, and we are here to help you navigate this difficult time. Our experienced team of San Bernardino car accident lawyers will guide you through the legal process, gather the necessary evidence, and build a strong case to ensure we build a strong case for receiving the compensation you deserve for your emotional suffering. We are committed to fighting for your rights, helping you hold the responsible parties accountable, and securing the support you need to move forward with your life.
Other Sources: