Depression After A Car Crash And What To Do About It
by Abigail Vela | September 22nd, 2021 | Driving Tips
Unfortunately, car crashes occur that can devastatingly change your life. Oftentimes, everything after a car accident will feel overwhelming and difficult to deal with due to the trauma that it may have on your physical and mental health.
It is common for victims of a car crash to develop a lot of heavy emotional trauma and emotional distress. Your car accident lawyer in Brownsville recommends you check out our previous blog post to learn more about the ins and outs of emotional distress, such as pain, depression, and PTSD.
Common Symptoms of Depression
According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is a common, yet serious, medical illness and condition that heavily impacts a person’s day-to-day life, as well as their physical and emotional health.
The APA reports that the most common symptoms of depression are:
- Feeling sad or being in a depressive mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite and weight loss/gain
- Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- Loss of energy or increased fatigue
- Increase in purposeless physical activity
- Slowed movements or speech
- Feeling worthless and/or guilty
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Source: American Psychiatric Association
Now that you are aware of the symptoms of depression, we would like to tell you that we care about you and your mental health.
If you or a loved one are suffering from depression due to a recent car accident, your Brownsville car accident lawyer recommends that you, first and foremost, visit a mental health professional or therapist to receive the best help to aid in your recovery. via @TopLawyerRGV
Steps To Take For Depression After Car Accident
Your Brownsville car accident lawyer advises you to take these necessary steps towards making a claim after a car accident:
- Receive immediate medical treatment. After a car accident, it is important to seek immediate medical attention from your doctor and/or mental health professional. Doing so will allow medical professionals to properly diagnose and treat any physical and mental harm done to you, such as bodily injuries or depression, after a car accident.
- Reach out to your mental health referral/psychiatrist. Follow through with the mental health referrals that your doctor has prescribed you after your car accident. Your psychiatrist will diagnose the causes of your depression after the car accident and prescribe you the appropriate treatments necessary for recovery.
- Follow up with treatment for depression. Your psychiatrist will design the appropriate treatment for your depression. Treatments may vary according to the type of depression diagnosed and include but are not limited to antidepressant medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and/or interpersonal therapy.
- Keep track of documentation following a car accident. It is important to always keep close track of all documentation following your car accident, especially medical bills and records regarding your physical injuries, mental health diagnosis, and treatments for depression. By doing this, you will be able to show causal evidence of depression following a car accident against the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
- Do not ignore your symptoms. Pay close attention to the physical pain or mental anguish that you feel and report it to your mental health professionals. This can help to prevent any serious condition from developing later on.
Compensation For Depression
Your Brownsville car accident lawyers at J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys will help you file a claim for depression after a car accident, help you sort and review your medical and financial losses due to the car accident, and make sure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. We will take the weight off your shoulders and help you file a claim against the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
You may be entitled to receive compensation for depression after a car accident due to:
Economic Damages: These are specific damages suffered due to your accident. They include any medical costs and lost wages, such as the cost of mental health care or loss of work due to the severity of your depression.
Non-Economic Damages: Although these damages may be harder to quantify, it is very possible to receive compensation for pain and suffering, such as emotional distress and depression.
Your Brownsville car accident lawyer will keep close track and take care of all the necessary documentation in order to help you receive the peace and recovery you deserve! Depression is hard to deal with on your own. We are here to remind you that your mental health matters to us and you are not alone.
