Can A Claim Include Recovery Funds For Emotional Injuries?
People often think about broken bones, whiplash, or other physical harm when they picture someone hurt in an auto collision. But across Florida, many crash survivors face another type of injury. Emotional trauma can be harder to see but just as devastating.
For instance, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological condition that can develop after a serious collision, and it may affect every part of a person’s life. Recovery from emotional injuries like PTSD takes time, patience, and support. If you are struggling after a crash, know that Florida law allows you to seek compensation for these invisible but real injuries. With the right treatment and legal guidance from a Florida personal injury lawyer, healing is possible.
Understanding PTSD After a Crash
PTSD is more than feeling shaken after an accident. It is a recognized mental health condition that can arise after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms may include:
- Flashbacks or nightmares about the collision
- Anxiety or panic attacks while driving or riding in a vehicle
- Avoidance of places, people, or situations that trigger memories of the crash
- Mood swings, irritability, or depression
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
For some accident survivors, PTSD may appear immediately. For others, symptoms surface weeks or months later.
Recovering from PTSD often requires professional treatment, just like physical injuries. Common options include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and other methods that can help patients process trauma and develop coping skills. There are also situations where doctors prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication to help manage symptoms. Family, friends, and support groups can provide understanding and encouragement during recovery, too.
Just as physical rehabilitation takes time, emotional recovery from PTSD is often a gradual process. Some individuals may make progress in a few months, while others may need long-term treatment.
Proving Emotional Trauma
Florida personal injury law recognizes that accident victims may suffer both economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life).
If PTSD impacts your ability to work, enjoy daily activities, or maintain relationships, these losses can be part of your claim as well. However, insurance companies often challenge emotional injury claims because they are not as visible as physical wounds. That makes documentation and legal advocacy especially important.
To strengthen a claim for PTSD and other emotional injuries, it’s critical to seek attention from a healthcare provider, follow treatment plans, and obtain records from mental health professionals. Keeping a personal journal documenting symptoms and how they affect your life can also be helpful. A Florida personal injury lawyer can help you connect these pieces of evidence to show the full impact of the collision.
Were you surprised by the fees associated with the therapy and medication you need to cope with the daily challenges of living with PTSD? Emotional injuries deserve the same recognition and care as physical ones, but insurers may try to undervalue them. The attorneys at Spencer Morgan Law are available to help. Call 305-423-3800 to book a confidential consultation.