Do you know that car accident survivors can suffer depression? It is one of the several possible consequences of motor vehicle crashes. About 17.4% of 166 persons in a study reported symptoms of depression after a crash.
Unfortunately, many people focus solely on physical injuries and property damage after an accident. Even when they file lawsuits, they often neglect the possible emotional wounds they sustained from the crash.
However, emotional injuries are compensable, just like physical injuries. The best car crash attorney in Georgia can help you get financial compensation for depression after a crash. But first, let’s discuss depression as it relates to car accidents and the available settlement.
Best Car Crash Attorney Georgia Explain Depression
Depression is currently a popular topic. But, what exactly is this disease? Depression is a mood disorder. It refers to those persistent feelings of sadness, anger, and loss of interest in daily activities. Usually, depression can interfere with the effective performance of your responsibilities.
Depression is common in the US. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that 18.5% of adults had depression signs that were mild, moderate, or severe. Furthermore, adults from 18 to 21 years made up the most vulnerable group.
Notably, depression is a clinically diagnosed ailment. Therefore, you shouldn’t just conclude that you’re suffering from depression after a crash because you feel too sad. Suppose you lose someone in an accident you survive.
Then, there’s a strong chance that you’ll experience strong feelings of guilt. However, guilt is different from depression. So, it’ll be best not to make conclusions without seeing a doctor.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression After a Crash
Have you been in an Atlanta car accident? If you have, then it’ll be best to look out for these signs:
- Feeling sad and anxious
- Loss of interest in frequent and loved activities and hobbies
- Loss of energy and fatigue
- Inability to concentrate or remember things
- Difficulty in decision making
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Loss of appetite
- Severe physical pain
- Recurring thoughts of death, suicide, and self-harm
- Slowed body movements
- Unexplainable mood swings
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Self-blame, self-loathing, and fixation with the past
- Emotional outbursts from anger, irritation, and frustration
Symptoms of Depression in Children
Suppose your child was in the collision. Then, they can also suffer depression after a crash. However, their symptoms may be different from those of adults. You should thus check for:
- Sadness and irritability
- Clinginess
- Weight changes
- Refusal to resume or continue school
- Poor performance in school
- Withdrawal from friends and social activities
- Extreme sensitivity
- Use of restricted drugs and alcohol for teens
- Reduce interest in cognitive abilities
- Change in sleeping patterns
Are There Risk Factors for Depression?
Yes, some health and other factors increase your chances of suffering depression after a crash. So, it’ll be best to check for depression after a crash if you have any of these conditions: arthritis, substance abuse, asthma, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. You may also develop depression if there is a history of the disease in your family.
Treatment for Depression
Fortunately, you can successfully treat depression after a crash. You can manage the symptoms with one or a combination of treatments. Treatment options include taking medications, psychotherapy, and alternative therapies such as meditation, exercising, etc.
Sadly, treating depression takes time. Consequently, you may have to spend a lot of money before fully recovering. That’s why compensation for treating depression after a crash is crucial.
How Can Post-Car Accident Depression Affect Your Life?
At this stage, it’s already clear that you can get depression after a crash. But how will it affect your life? Below are the different ways this illness can adversely impact your life.
Missing Work
Depression after a crash can severely affect your capacity to work effectively. So, patients often miss work days. Consequently, they’ll lose their wages for that period.
Employees who go to work may also lose their job for lack of effectiveness. Either way, you can get compensation for these issues.
Difficulty in Socialization
Depression also affects the mood and emotions of patients. So, they may find it challenging to socialize with others. Depression caused by a concussion or brain injury may worsen this issue.
Can You Recover Compensation for Depression After a Crash?
Yes, Georgia courts can grant you damages for accident-induced depression. However, this isn’t as easy as getting compensation for bodily injuries, as depression is a type of emotional damage.
Therefore, Georgia’s Impact Rule applies to a claim for depression after a crash. This principle only allows victims of emotional trauma who also suffered physical injuries to recover compensation. So, you must prove the following:
- The car crash caused a physical impact on your body,
- This physical impact caused bodily injury, and
- The bodily injury caused your depression.
Once you prove these three elements, you can receive compensation. Consequently, you cannot get damages for witnessing your loved one die in a collision unless you were n the vehicle and suffered a physical injury.
Recoverable Damages for Car Accident-Induced Depression in Atlanta, GA
Suppose you win your car crash claim for depression. Then, you can recover a wide range of damages. Note that the compensation isn’t limited to your depression.
Instead, the fault driver will pay for all your losses flowing from the crash. Therefore, you can get:
- Medical bills
- Cost of physical therapy and psychotherapy
- Hospitalization bills
- Cost of medical equipment
- Wages of domestic staff because of the crash
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Reduced earning potential
- Cost of medication
- Future medical bills
Furthermore, the court can award compensation for non-economic damages. So, you can get damages for pain and suffering, loss of companionship of a loved one, emotional distress, and mental anguish.
Finally, it’s noteworthy that the best car crash attorney in Georgia will rarely institute an action for only depression. Instead, they’ll add depression as one of the grounds for the car accident claim.
Let the Best Car Accident Attorney in Georgia Help You!
Have you or a loved one survived a car accident in Atlanta? Are you having symptoms of depression after a crash? You may be eligible for compensation if you answer these questions in the affirmative.
Georgia is a fault-based accident state. So, we can make the negligent driver pay for the harm they caused you. First, however, you need the best personal injury lawyer in Georgia.
At The Weinstein Firm, our attorneys have spent years winning car accident claims. So, we’re confident of getting you the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury lawyers in Georgia work on a contingency fee basis and will not charge an upfront fee. You only have to call us today for a FREE consultation on your case.