When most people think of personal injury claims, they think of broken bones, ER visits, and physical therapy as a personal injury lawyer knows all too well. But what about the injuries you can’t see — like panic attacks, depression, or the overwhelming stress that follows a traumatic event? Mental health struggles after an accident are very real, and in many cases, they can (and should) be part of your personal injury case. To help explain how this works, we turned to our trusted friends at Mickey Keenan, P.A. to share more information:
1. Emotional Trauma Is A Recognized Injury In Personal Injury Law
It’s more common than you think: people who survive serious car accidents, slips and falls, or other traumatic events often develop conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
These emotional injuries can be just as disruptive as physical ones — sometimes more so. You may not be in a cast, but you’re losing sleep, avoiding daily tasks, or unable to go to work.
If your mental health has suffered after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it’s possible to include that as part of your personal injury claim.
2. You’ll Need Evidence — Just Like With Any Other Injury
Just like physical injuries require medical records, emotional damages must be documented. This usually involves:
- Therapy or counseling notes
- Psychiatric evaluations
- Testimony from mental health professionals
- Journals or personal accounts of symptoms
Insurance companies don’t hand out compensation easily, especially for “invisible” injuries. That’s why working with an attorney who understands how to present a full picture of your suffering can make a huge difference.
Lawyers can even include expert testimony in court when necessary — proving how emotional trauma is affecting their clients’ daily lives.
3. Mental Health Can Impact Other Areas Of Compensation
Injury-related mental health struggles can affect more than just your mood — they often affect your income, relationships, and ability to function. That’s why your attorney may also connect your emotional distress to:
- Lost wages or job opportunities
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Future therapy or psychiatric care
A good personal injury claim should reflect the full impact of the incident — not just the ER bills. That includes mental health care both now and in the future.
4. It’s Okay To Talk About It — In Fact, You Should
Many people hesitate to bring up emotional struggles, especially when they’re told to “just be grateful” they survived or “tough it out.” But the legal process is evolving, and so is public understanding of mental health.
If you’re experiencing emotional changes after an accident — talk to your doctor, talk to a counselor, and talk to your attorney.
You’re not alone, and your emotional well-being matters just as much as your physical recovery.
The effects of an accident don’t always end when the bruises fade. For many people, the emotional aftermath is just beginning. If that’s your experience, know that mental health struggles can absolutely be part of your personal injury claim — and you deserve support for your whole recovery.
To learn more about how attorneys are fighting for their clients’ emotional well-being after an accident, visit a lawyer near you for help.