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Attorney at Gina Corena & Associates
Practice Areas: Personal Injury
Car accidents don’t just leave physical scars. They can also cause severe psychological effects that disrupt a person’s life for weeks, months, or even years. While broken bones and whiplash are easy to diagnose, mental health issues like depression, PTSD, and anxiety after a car accident often go unnoticed.
Many survivors struggle with fear of driving, recurring nightmares, or emotional distress that makes it hard to return to everyday life. In some cases, these mental health conditions can be just as debilitating as physical injuries.
If you or a loved one is dealing with mental health issues after a car accident, it’s important to understand the legal options available. Emotional distress is a valid part of a personal injury claim, and you may be eligible for compensation.
This article explores the most common psychological effects of car accidents, their impact, and what victims can do to protect their mental well-being and legal rights.
A serious crash can be a life-changing event. The body and mind process trauma differently, and even if you survive a collision without severe physical injuries, the mental impact can last long after the accident.
Victims may experience a range of emotional and psychological symptoms, including:
For some, these symptoms appear immediately after the crash. Others may develop delayed emotional distress weeks or even months later.
“According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 39.2% of motor vehicle accident survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within six months of the accident.”
Ignoring these symptoms can make them worse. That’s why seeking help early is essential. Treatment, therapy, and legal action can all help with recovery.
Many accident survivors struggle with depression due to the overwhelming impact of the crash. Physical pain, financial stress, and emotional trauma can all contribute to a sense of hopelessness and Sadness.
Some people experience:
Car accident-related depression is more than just Sadness. It can affect relationships, work, and daily life. If left untreated, it can also worsen physical injuries and prolong recovery.
“A study published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease found that individuals involved in serious car accidents were twice as likely to develop depression compared to those who had not experienced such trauma.”
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk to a mental health professional and explore your legal options.
PTSD is one of the most severe psychological effects of a car accident. It can develop in both drivers and passengers who witnessed or experienced a traumatic crash.
Symptoms of PTSD after an accident include:
Many accident survivors also develop severe driving anxiety. Even minor triggers, like traffic noise or sudden braking, can cause panic attacks and overwhelming fear.
This constant state of distress can affect work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Therapy, counseling, and legal action may be necessary for victims to recover.
Many people assume personal injury claims only cover physical injuries. In reality, emotional distress is also compensable.
If you’re struggling with mental health issues after a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation. However, proving psychological injuries requires strong evidence, such as:
Insurance companies often downplay emotional distress claims to avoid paying compensation. That’s why working with an experienced lawyer is critical.
“Many victims do not realize that mental health treatments, including therapy and medication, may be covered under personal injury settlements when linked to a car accident.”
Victims of car accidents can seek two types of damages:
| Psychological Injury | Symptoms | Impact on Daily Life | Legal Compensation Available |
| PTSD | Flashbacks, fear, nightmares | Fear of driving, social withdrawal | Pain & suffering, therapy costs |
| Depression | Sadness, fatigue, loss of interest | Reduced work performance, difficulty in relationships | Lost wages, therapy costs, emotional distress compensation |
| Anxiety Disorders | Panic attacks, nervousness, insomnia | Impacts decision-making, workplace performance | Medical expenses, non-economic damages |
Navigating a psychological injury claim alone can be overwhelming. Insurance companies often deny or minimize emotional distress claims.
A car accident lawyer can:
Legal action can secure financial relief for treatment, therapy, and lost wages. A strong case can also prevent insurance companies from ignoring psychological injuries.
Yes. If you can prove that the accident caused depression, PTSD, or anxiety, you may be eligible for non-economic damages, including pain, suffering, and mental health treatment costs.
You need medical records, psychiatric evaluations, and expert testimony linking your mental health condition to the accident. A lawyer can help you gather this evidence.
Delayed psychological reactions are common. Many people experience symptoms weeks or months later. Seeking medical attention and documenting changes in mental health is crucial.
The statute of limitations in Nevada for personal injury claims (including psychological damages) is two years from the date of the accident. Filing sooner strengthens your case.
Car accidents don’t just leave physical scars—they can profoundly impact mental health, often in ways that go unnoticed until weeks or even months later. Conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety can affect every aspect of life, from work to relationships, making it difficult to move forward. Unfortunately, many victims suffer in silence, unaware that their mental health struggles are just as valid as physical injuries in a legal claim.
If you’re struggling with emotional distress after a car accident, it’s essential to take action. Seeking professional help from therapists, counselors, or medical professionals can provide the support needed to heal. But beyond treatment, you also have the right to hold the responsible party accountable for the impact this accident has had on your life. Psychological injuries can be financially, emotionally, and physically draining, but compensation may be available to help cover medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Insurance companies often try to minimize the severity of mental health issues, making it difficult for victims to secure fair compensation. That’s why working with an experienced car accident attorney can make all the difference. A skilled lawyer understands how to document, present, and prove the emotional impact of an accident, ensuring that victims receive the full amount they deserve.
At Gina Corena & Associates, we are dedicated to fighting for the rights of accident victims. Whether you’re dealing with PTSD, depression, or anxiety after a crash, we are here to help. We will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to recover—both physically and mentally. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Contact our team for a free case evaluation, and let us help you secure the justice and support you deserve.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
