The physical injuries after being in a car accident are easier to see but the emotional ones can have just as serious an impact. Anxiety can have an extreme effect on your life, changing the way you face everyday situations such as being able to get into a vehicle again or perform your job at work. Luckily, Tampa law accounts for the emotional effects of the trauma of an accident so that a person can be fairly compensated.
Filing a claim for anxiety or depression after an accident is much harder to calculate than a physical injury. As such, these are the cases when having a Tampa accident anxiety attorney will be the most fundamental. In addition to the stress the victim is already facing, they now have to prove what they’re going through. Having a legal team on your side during this process is invaluable.
What Kinds of Anxiety Disorders Are There After a Car Accident?
While occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, an anxiety disorder limits your ability to engage in daily life activities. It often worsens over time or sees no improvement. These anxiety disorders can affect your job, schoolwork, personal relationships, or even your ability to get out of bed in the morning. Anxiety of all kinds is known to cause restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and a sense of impending doom. It can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life if left untreated.
Anxiety Specific to the Car Accident
After a collision, you may find yourself fixated on fears that surround the circumstances of that accident. Perhaps you were injured in a bus crash and can no longer bring yourself to get on another bus. Or maybe a fear of having another wreck stops you from driving to work.
Generalized Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry or fear about various aspects of life, often disproportionate to the actual circumstances. Individuals with GAD may experience constant feelings of anxiety and tension, even without any specific trigger or threat. These worries typically extend to multiple areas such as work, relationships, health, and everyday responsibilities.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that some people may experience after going through or witnessing a traumatic event. It can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. When a person experiences something very scary, dangerous, or life-threatening, their brain and body can have a hard time processing it properly. As a result, they may develop symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks (where it feels like they’re reliving the traumatic event), feeling on edge all the time, or avoiding things that remind them of the trauma.
Depression
Depression is a mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and act. It’s more than just feeling sad sometimes – it’s a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. When someone has depression, they might feel down most of the time, have a hard time finding joy in activities, and lack energy or motivation. They may also have changes in appetite or sleep patterns, experience difficulty concentrating or feel guilty or worthless.
How To File For Compensation For Anxiety After a Tampa Car Accident
If you experience anxiety after a car accident in Tampa and believe it is caused by the incident, you may be eligible to seek compensation for it. To file for such compensation, you’ll need to take a few important steps.
Gather Evidence
Firstly, gather evidence related to your case, such as medical records or statements from witnesses describing how the accident has impacted your mental well-being.
Seek Medical and Psychiatric Care
It’s fundamental after an accident to be checked out by a medical professional. Be sure to tell them about any mental agitation you may be feeling, whether it’s anxiety, depression, or fear. Sometimes the smallest symptom in the beginning grows into a more complex and long-lasting anxiety disorder.
Hire A Tampa Accident Anxiety Attorney
It is also advisable to consult with a Tampa accident anxiety attorney who specializes in personal injury cases to ensure your rights are protected. They can assist you in understanding the legal procedures and negotiating fair compensation on your behalf for the anxiety you have experienced following the car accident.
How Much Compensation Can You Get for Anxiety?
Determining the appropriate compensation for emotional distress following a car accident can be challenging, regardless of any additional injuries sustained. However, enlisting the assistance of a Tampa accident anxiety attorney can greatly help evaluate the potential damages recoverable for emotional distress or anxiety. They can help you comprehend the various costs involved and guide you in effectively handling your car accident claim.
With Additional Injuries
If you sustained other injuries in the car accident, you should begin by calculating the total cost of your medical bills. This includes expenses associated with emotional distress, such as psychological counseling. For instance, if you suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may have significant medical bills for physical treatment and occupational or mental therapies to help cope with the limitations caused by your injuries.
To determine appropriate compensation for your emotional distress, your Tampa accident anxiety attorney can incorporate the cost of therapy and any medications required into your claim. This helps establish the precise amount you deserve in compensation for the emotional suffering endured. Additionally, your lawyer can advocate for how the emotional distress has affected your daily life, including difficulties engaging in regular activities. Emotional distress may also hinder the healing process by impeding efforts towards a full recovery.
Without Injuries
If you did not experience physical injuries but still underwent significant emotional distress, your car accident claim will focus only on these emotional challenges. Determining the appropriate compensation for such distress can be more complex since it requires more time and effort to prove that the anxiety, depression, or PTSD was a direct result of the accident. Nevertheless, collaborating with a Tampa accident anxiety attorney can help you assess the difficulties you encountered following the car accident. This includes identifying both financial and non-financial losses associated with the emotional distress experienced.
Medical and Psychological Treatment Costs
To evaluate a personal injury claim, the total cost of all medical treatments is added up. This goes beyond emergency medical care, factoring in all tests, images, follow-up visits, and specialist care. Physical, occupational, and mental therapies are also factored in. In addition, any physical devices such as crutches or braces are added along with medications. A Tampa accident anxiety attorney can help calculate the anticipated future costs of ongoing treatment based on the long-term effects of an individual’s diagnosis.
Pain and Suffering
Calculating how much to compensate for pain and suffering can be tricky because everyone feels it in their own unique way. But insurance companies and Hillsborough County Courts have ways to figure out its value. They might use different methods like the multiplier method, per diem method, or even computer software. The multiplier method takes the total medical expenses and multiplies it by a special number that shows how much pain and suffering you went through. The per diem method assigns a daily amount of money to your pain and suffering for a certain period of time. Sometimes, they rely on computer programs that consider specific details to estimate the right compensation. Your Tampa accident anxiety attorney will know which method is best to decide what’s fair for all the pain and suffering you’ve been through.
Lost Wages
When someone gets injured and can’t work because of it, the calculation of lost wages helps determine how much money they should be compensated for. To figure this out, experts consider a few things. First, they look at the person’s job and how much they earn normally. Then they see how long the injury will prevent them from working. They might also take into account any potential promotions or raises the person could have received if not for the injury. Additionally, they consider if the person will be able to work fully or partially during their recovery period. Tampa accident anxiety attorneys use these factors to help in calculating the amount of money that a person should receive for the wages they lost due to their injury.
Contact Us Today For A Free Consultation
In the wake of a car accident, we have the drive and expertise to fight on your behalf. We take pride in protecting your rights and winning you the fair compensation you deserve. If you’re suffering from anxiety or depression after your car accident, you can rest a little easier knowing we’re doing the legal work while you focus on recovery. Our team of Tampa accident anxiety attorneys is ready to file your claim today. The initial consultation is free so don’t delay. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you.
