Hidden Costs to Recovery

By San Diego Attorney on June 19, 2020

The long-term costs of recovering from a car accident can be far higher than expected. In addition to physical injuries that can have a long-lasting impact and may require months or years of treatment, it is not uncommon for a victim to suffer mental and emotional trauma, with effects that can last a year or more after the accident.

What Are the Long-Term Physical Effects of Car Accidents?

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of spinal cord injuries, as reported by the National Spinal Cord Statistical Center, and the second leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both of these events are catastrophic injuries with life-altering consequences for victims and their families, including changes in lifestyles. Amputations suffered in car accidents also cause permanent disability.

But even soft tissue injuries affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons may require long-term recovery. The same applies to whiplash, neck injuries, and injuries to the back or spine, including fractures, sprains, strains, or damage to the vertebral discs. To fully recover from these injuries, you may need treatment for months or years to come.

What Are the Long-Term Mental and Emotional Effects of Car Accidents?

In addition to the physical effects, car accidents can have a mental and emotional impact on a person’s overall well-being. Car accident victims may experience a range of psychological effects, including:

• Shock
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Fear
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Humiliation
• Loss of appetite
• Weight fluctuations
• Crying episodes
• Lack of energy
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood swings
• Sexual dysfunction
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Depression

Victims of nonfatal car accidents may continue to experience emotional trauma for months or even a year after the crash. Long-term recovery from psychological injuries must be calculated into car accident pain and suffering damages.

Recovering from a Car Accident

If you have been the victim of a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you are entitled to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include your past and future medical expenses, property damage, and past and future loss of earnings. Non-economic damages include your pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and other less easily quantifiable losses. While this money may not completely remove the mental and physical trauma following an accident, it can go a long way towards alleviating the overwhelming stress of medical and therapy bills, as well as any changes to your home and lifestyle.

Recovering compensation after a serious car accident can be a daunting task and should not be approached without strong legal counsel. At jD LAW, P.C., our lead attorney has provided sound legal advice to victims of car accidents in San Diego while also being a strong advocate for full compensation during settlement negotiations and court trials. Contact us (760) 630-2000 to schedule a free consultation and begin your path to recovery.