Accidents can leave more than just physical scars. The mental impact of a traumatic event like a car crash, workplace injury, slip and fall, or other personal injury accident can be significant and long-lasting. While physical injuries are generally more noticeable and easily treated, the mental and emotional effects can be just as severe but are often overlooked. Documenting psychological injuries after an accident is an important step in ensuring that you can receive the care and compensation you deserve. Consult with a Memphis personal injury lawyer for more information and to obtain skilled representation today.
What Are Psychological Injuries?
Psychological injuries are mental conditions that impact a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. Examples of common mental ailments include PTSD, depression, anxiety, insomnia, phobias, and more. These types of injuries often arise as a neurological response to being involved in or witnessing a traumatic event.
Why is Documenting Psychological Injuries After an Accident Important?
Properly documenting the psychological injuries you sustained after being involved in an accident is important for many reasons. First, and arguably most importantly, proper documentation ensures you receive necessary health care. Psychological conditions can be seriously detrimental to your health and well-being. By documenting your symptoms early and properly, you can seek help from mental health professionals who can diagnose and treat you effectively.
Proper documentation can also support an insurance claim. You can pursue legal action for economic and noneconomic losses associated with the accident and your mental injuries through a liability insurance claim. By documenting your psychological injuries through medical records, therapy sessions, detailed journals, and more, you can create a clear record of your condition which is essential when seeking compensation for emotional distress. It can be difficult to prove that your psychological injuries are a result of the accident without ample documentation which can limit your ability to receive compensation.
If your accident was caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness, you can also pursue legal action through a personal injury lawsuit. If you plan on filing a lawsuit, your mental and emotional suffering can be part of the damages you are compensated for. Clear documentation of the history of your psychological condition as well as the treatment and recovery process is crucial in ensuring you can be compensated accordingly. The documentation will act as evidence during your case to prove that the defendant caused the accident which led to your injury and resulting losses, both economic and noneconomic. It is important to provide evidence of how your injury has affected your ability to work, maintain relationships, participate in daily activities, and function in general. You should also provide evidence of the financial losses associated with the injury like therapy appointments, treatments, and medication.
For more information consult with a skilled personal injury attorney today.
