Car accidents often result in severe and devastating physical injuries, but they can also have a significant impact on your mental health and psyche. Psychological injuries are just as real as physical ailments and can be even more damaging over time, but documenting them can be difficult as they are not always easy to identify. It is important to understand how to document your psychological injuries after a car accident to ensure you can receive the care and compensation you deserve. To learn more about your legal rights and options, reach out to a skillful San Mateo County, California car accident lawyer.
What is a Psychological Injury?
A psychological injury is an emotional or mental health condition that results from a traumatic event, like a car accident. These injuries can severely affect your emotional well-being and mental health status. Examples of psychological injuries include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- OCD
- Insomnia
Car accidents can be shocking and traumatic. You may see your life flash before your eyes, believe that you are going to die, or witness something gruesome or devastating. This type of experience can trigger a variety of psychological responses. For example, you could develop severe anxiety when driving or being inside a car or experience random and uncontrollable flashbacks to the crash.
How Can I Document Psychological Injuries After a Car Accident?
Documenting your psychological injuries is beneficial to keep track of your care and treatment plan but also to have evidence if you decide to file a claim or lawsuit against the liable party.
- Medical records: Seek medical attention and maintain copies of all relevant records like doctor’s notes, diagnoses, test results, treatment, prescriptions, and more. These documents will act as proof of medical professionals’ opinions on your condition.
- Journal: Keep an injury journal where you track your symptoms and recovery process. This can provide a first-hand and detailed record of how your psychological injuries manifest and affect your life. Write down how you feel every day, symptoms you show, changes in behavior and mood, physical reactions, and more.
- Bills: Keep copies of all of your bills, receipts, and expenses associated with your psychological injuries. If you are going to pursue legal action for compensation, it is important to be able to prove not only the ways the injury has affected you mentally but also the financial burden that the accident has placed on you. Receipts from co-pays at the doctor’s office, therapy sessions, prescription medication, and other treatments can act as tangible proof of your monetary losses.
- Witness statements: Obtain statements from friends and family members who can speak to your behavior and changes. They can testify about how you acted before the accident versus the way your injuries have impacted your daily life.
Having evidence and documentation of your mental ailments is crucial after a car accident. Work with a skilled attorney to learn more about your rights and options when pursuing compensation.
