If you have been involved in a vehicle crash, you may wonder, “What are the major effects of car accidents?” Knowing what comes next following the collision can be helpful to assess your damages and losses properly. Reach out to speak with our California car accident attorneys at Arash Law to determine a reasonable settlement payment in your case. A car accident is always a traumatizing and overwhelming event.
No one is ever truly prepared for the physical and emotional effects of a car crash. In fact, the effects of a motor vehicle crash can be so devastating that they can disrupt a victim’s life. In many cases, the effects of a car crash can be long-lasting. This fact is something worth considering when determining a fair settlement amount.
A knowledgeable attorney will be able to correctly calculate your future expenses, damages, and suffering to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. At Arash Law, we are committed to helping injured victims recover maximum compensation for all the major effects of car accidents.
The Major Effects of Car Accidents:
In most cases, the aftereffects of a car accident can be divided into two categories:
- Physical effects; and
- Emotional effects.
While most of the physical effects of an automobile accident are almost immediately apparent following a collision, emotional and psychological effects could develop over time. That’s why it is critical to keep an eye on the development of emotional trauma following the crash. Let’s look at each of these significant effects of car accidents.
What are the Physical Effects of Car Accidents?
While some physical effects of a crash can be visible right away (e.g., bruises, scars, and broken bones), others may not be noticeable immediately after the accident. Sometimes, high levels of shock and adrenaline after a car accident keep us from recognizing injury symptoms and may even mask the pain for hours.
That is why it is vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident to diagnose and document all of the injuries and physical damages.
- Cuts, lacerations, and bruises. These are some of the most common injuries after car accidents. Often, victims of car crashes suffer a cut wound due to shattered glass, broken plastic parts, and metal fragments from vehicles.
- Burn injuries. Car crashes are also likely to result in burn injuries due to hot metal vehicle parts, fires, and explosions at the scene of the accident.
- Tissue damage. Often, tissue damage is not immediately apparent after a collision, which is why accident victims need to go to a doctor to diagnose this type of injury.
- Fractured bones. Fractured and broken bones are some of the most devastating types of injury after a car crash.
- Back and spine injuries. Spinal cord and back injuries are some of the most significant effects of car accidents. Depending on the severity of the crash, a spine injury can result in temporary or permanent paralysis.
- Loss of a limb. Although the loss of a limb is not a common occurrence in car accidents, it does happen in devastating crashes. Losing a limb is one of the most traumatizing and painful types of injury that can lead to many other severe complications.
- Death. Car accidents are responsible for approximately 100 deaths per day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you have been involved in a car accident in California, it is essential to visit your doctor or go to an emergency room (ER) to seek medical attention right away. Sometimes, accident victims suffer severe injuries even when they do not experience any pain or their symptoms are not immediately apparent. Contact a California car accident attorney at Arash Law to help you obtain compensation for the effects and damages caused by the crash.
What are the Emotional Effects of Car Accidents?
A severe injury can have long-term emotional effects after an accident. Some of the psychological and emotional effects following a car crash can haunt an injured victim for years or even for the rest of their life.
The emotional effects of a car accident include:
- Humiliation
- Anxiety
- Shock
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Fear (phobias)
- Anger
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Sleep disturbances
- Behavior changes
- Mental anguish
- Mood swings
While most physical injuries are visible and obvious following a motor vehicle crash, the emotional effects of a car accident can develop over time. Emotional trauma can have a significant, long-lasting impact on your everyday life. Speak with a skilled car accident attorney at Arash Law to assess the crash’s emotional impact to receive fair compensation.
Research shows that about a third of all people involved in non-fatal car crashes continue to have emotional and psychological trauma symptoms one year after the accident. When calculating a settlement value for pain and suffering, it is crucial to consider the long-term emotional, mental, and psychological impact of a car accident to determine fair and total compensation for your injuries.
Let’s look at some of the most common emotional effects of a car accident in more detail.
- Shock. Most individuals involved in a car crash experience some form of shock, which can persist for hours after the traumatic event. Shock may mask the pain and other symptoms of accident-related injuries, which is why it is critical to seek medical attention even if you feel like you may not be injured.
- Anxiety. It is not uncommon for car accident victims to develop persistent anxiety. Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. Sometimes, it takes weeks or even months to develop anxiety, while other individuals may deal with intense and persistent worry and fear immediately after the collision. Anxiety may come in the form of sleep disorders, panic attacks, phobias, and physical symptoms such as nausea, chest pain, dizziness, and others.
- Depression. Depending on the circumstances and severity of the crash, a person involved in a car accident may find it difficult to move on with their life after the traumatic event. A victim may develop insomnia and other sleep problems, a loss of enjoyment of life, decreased sex drive, irritability, changes in weight and appetite, uncontrollable emotions, and other symptoms.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many people develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after living through a traumatic event. Car accident victims with PTSD can always be on guard for danger but have trouble concentrating on specific tasks or work. Other signs of PTSD after a car crash include self-destructive behavior (excessive drinking), irritability, difficulty sleeping, flashbacks of the accident, and overwhelming shame, humiliation, or guilt, among other symptoms.
- Behavior changes. Many individuals who have been involved in traumatic events, including car crashes, experience behavior changes, and some may even develop hallucinations. Changes in behavior after a motor vehicle accident can include various types of disorders, which usually require counseling and therapy.
If you have been involved in a vehicle crash and developed any signs of emotional trauma, do not hesitate to speak with a California car accident attorney at Arash Law to determine your compensation options.
What Other Effects Can You Expect after a Car Crash?
Car accidents are often associated with the above-mentioned physical and emotional effects. However, regardless of the severity of your accident, you may also expect the following:
- Vehicle repairs. If your car has been damaged due to a car crash, you will need to get it repaired. If your vehicle is not drivable after the collision, it should be towed away to a repair shop. Your insurance company may cover the towing cost. While some insurers allow victims of car crashes to choose a repair shop, others require policyholders to go directly to specific repair shops to estimate their damages. After the estimate is complete, the insurance company will approve or deny vehicle repairs.
- Rental car. While your vehicle is repaired after an accident, you may need a rental car to drive to work and get around. While some insurance companies cover the cost of renting a car, others do not pay for policyholders’ rental cars while their vehicle is undergoing repairs.
- Financial setbacks. Being injured in a car crash may result in financial hardship. Not only will you have to deal with medical bills that keep mounting, but you may also be unable to work to pay your bills. If your vehicle was damaged in the accident, you might also have to pay for vehicle repairs from your pocket, especially if your insurance company does not cover auto repair bills. These financial setbacks can take a toll on your life.
- Inability to work. If your injuries are severe, you may not be able to continue to work because of a physical injury or emotional distress. If you are unable to return to your previous job or work in any capacity, you may be entitled to lost wages as part of your compensation.
It is advisable to contact an experienced attorney to seek maximum compensation for the physical, emotional, and other effects of your car accident.
Consult With a California Car Accident Attorney
At Arash Law, our skilled and results-driven car accident attorneys in California have successfully recovered more than $500 million for victims of car crashes. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, and throughout California.
Schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss the significant effects of a car accident in your situation and determine how much compensation you should receive to compensate you for your losses and damages. Call (888) 488-1391 or complete our online intake form for a free initial consultation.
