Physical injuries often receive the most attention in car accidents. However, the mental toll can be just as devastating to your overall well-being and everyday life. Imagine being unable to drive yourself because you’re overwhelmed by panic every time you get behind the wheel or struggle to sleep due to recurring nightmares of the crash.
These aren’t just fleeting feelings. They are signs of emotional distress, and they deserve to be taken seriously. You may be entitled to compensation for such invisible wounds after a car accident.
What counts as emotional distress?
Emotional distress falls under the non-economic damages you can recover with a car accident claim. Some of the common signs include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Social withdrawal
These are real psychological symptoms that can last weeks, months or even longer, affecting your ability to function normally, heal and enjoy daily life.
How do you prove it?
Evidence is key when pursuing compensation for emotional distress. You’ll need to show how your mental and emotional health has been affected by the accident. This is where documentation matters. Your medical records, therapist or counselor notes, prescriptions, statements from family and friends and even entries from your personal journal detailing your ordeal can help support your claim.
What’s it worth?
There is no fixed formula for calculating the monetary value of your emotional distress. It all depends on the severity and how long it lasts. A short period of anxiety may be worth less than long-term PTSD. In most cases, the more severe your injuries, the more weight your emotional distress claim may carry. This is because serious injuries often lead to longer recovery times, chronic pain, lifestyle changes and greater emotional strain.