Diligent, Compassionate And Comprehensive Trial Lawyer

Mental Anguish and Panic Attacks Following an Auto Accident

| Nov 5, 2014 | Vehicle Accidents

I’ve recently become involved in an interesting auto accident case and I thought it might be informative to others out there having a similar experience. My client has been experiencing frequent panic attacks and mental anguish following an automobile accident. While insurance companies, and even juries to some extent, are able to quantify damages for broken arms and/or legs, they are much less equipped to quantify damages for mental anxiety and suffering. The relative lack of these types of cases can make them difficult to settle and make determining a value difficult.

To anyone who has ever experienced a panic attack, I empathize. I understand that many people would rather have a broken arm or leg than live through five minutes of a full-blown panic attack. Anything can bring on these attacks and for some, it is difficult to even get in a car again or drive down the same street where the accident occurred. Because panic attacks are unpredictable, it does not require an extremely serious or traumatic accident. Even a moderate impact can have devastating results. Sometimes the auto accident is the last straw in an otherwise stressful life – work, kids, bills, and life are sometimes enough to deal with before an accident occurs and your car is destroyed, you are unable to work and your life is flipped upside down.

Rest assured, that while difficult to monetize, these claims have merit. Like any other injury suffered in an accident, the claim has to be supported by medical evidence. This means that a therapist, psychologist or social worker has to actively treat your condition, much like an orthopedist would mend your broken leg. With a proper diagnosis and treatment, these cases can be handled if your personal injury attorney is experienced with dealing with such circumstances.

If your injuries are more than just physical in nature, contact our office for a free consultation and we will discuss your options and rights. Be certain, these cases can be complex and it is important that you speak to an experienced auto accident attorney.

Archives

Categories