Motor vehicle collisions can inflict a wide range of pains and injuries to all accident victims involved. From broken bones and burns to more severe injuries such as spinal cord damage and head injuries, any type of physical damage suffered after an accident is of serious concern. Psychological injury, however, is another outcome of auto accidents and one which happens to get limited attention.
While psychological injury is often overlooked, especially when compared to serious physical injuries that require medical treatment, emotional distress is a real, and very common, side effects of any type of traffic crash. Residents in Tennessee often neglect to recognize these types of injuries because they are not physically seen. Nevertheless, psychological injury is one of the most common outcomes of a catastrophic collision.
Greg Coleman Law has proudly provided professional legal services to the residents of Tennessee for many, many years. After decades of fighting to protect the rights of all motorists, we have built a reputation throughout the state for our vast legal knowledge, years of experience, and passion for the law. If you or a loved one has suffered psychological injury after a crash, our Knoxville personal injury lawyers are prepared to take your case.
To get started today, simply fill out a Free Case Review form on this page.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Psychological injury, short-term emotional stress, and long-term emotional distress are all common effects of serious motor vehicle collisions in Tennessee. When an experience is exceptionally horrific, accident victims may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The term originated after World War I when people were referring to returning soldiers as shell shocked. While PTSD is often associated with returning soldiers today, auto accidents happen to be one of the leading causes of PTSD throughout the United States.
A pathological anxiety disorder, PTSD often stems from the witnessing or suffering of a traumatic event or incident. When an accident victim suffers from PTSD, their brain is often unable to correctly shut off the fight-or-flight response and the angst linked to the traumatic event. Recent reports reveal that each year anywhere between 10 and 45 percent of the 3 million people involved in motor vehicle collisions will develop some form of PTSD.
Generally, the three main symptoms of PTSD are avoiding any reminders of the incident, re-experiencing the accident, and an increased level of emotional arousal and anxiety. More specifically, the following are some of the PTSD symptoms that accident victims should look out for:
- Flashbacks
- Intense feelings of distress when the accident is mentioned
- Nightmares
- Intrusive memories about the crash
- Strong physical reactions when reminded of the accident (rapid breathing, heart pounding, etc.)
- Difficulty remembering certain aspects of the crash
- Avoiding participating in anything that reminds the victim of the collision
- Lack of interest in life and activities
- Emotionally numb
- Detachment from others
- A new sense of a restricted future
- Problems concentrating
- Sleeping issues
- Easily alarmed
- Hyper-vigilance
- Irritability
Tennessee law states that psychological injury will be treated similarly to that of physical injuries when an auto accident occurs. As such, all accident victims must recognize and give proper attention to any emotional distress suffered after an accident, as these feelings are often ignored in light of dealing with the physical ailments present.
Psychological injury may be one of the most difficult damages to prove in a personal injury case. As a result, it is absolutely imperative for all accident victims to speak with an experienced, knowledgeable Tennessee attorney before taking any legal action. These seasoned lawyers will be able to provide evidence which outlines a clear connection between the psychological damage and the trauma that has occurred. If you or a loved one has suffered emotionally after an accident, Greg Coleman Law is ready to protect the rights of you and your family members.
Contact an Experienced Attorney Today
Greg Coleman Law takes our role in the Tennessee community very seriously. We believe that when negligent individuals cause harm to you and your family, these at-fault parties must be held accountable for their careless actions. As such, our accident attorneys in Knoxville work tirelessly to build a case that places our clients in the best position to win maximum compensation. Our Knoxville personal injury lawyers have won hundreds of millions of dollars in past verdicts and settlements and we are prepared to help you today.
Fill out a Free Case Review form above to learn more about your legal options.
