The Emotional Turmoil Caused by an Auto Accident

Emotional turmoil can result from any auto accident. Anyone experiencing depression, anxiety, fear or guilt after a car accident should seek advice from a professional that can help you get through the recovery phase. Auto insurance companies can often assist their customers in finding a qualified doctor or therapist -- make sure and reach out to them for information regarding who you can see to get further assistance. The one good thing when something like an auto accident occurs, is that if you are insured from such things, you can rest assured your policy has your back.

Fender-Benders Are A Big Downer
It’s normal to be afraid of driving again after an accident, even if it was “just” a fender-bender. It doesn’t matter how old the driver is or how long he or she has been driving. Just because someone has been driving for decades doesn’t mean they should be able to immediately get back on the road with no anxiety. Having been involved in one accident can make a driver hyper-aware and fearful of being in another, potentially worse accident. Talking to a therapist even once or twice can help ease the fear of driving or being a passenger in a car again.

Serious Accidents Require Serious Recovery
Accidents involving personal injury can cause emotional trauma equal to or greater than the injury. Emotional turmoil can linger long after physical injuries sustained in a car accident heal. Injuries that require long periods of healing or physical therapy or are permanent are a daily reminder of the accident. Severely injured people often experience depression, anger, nightmares and PTSD. Family and personal relationships may suffer. The emotional turmoil is worse if someone is permanently disabled, loses a limb or is the sole survivor of a car accident. These types of emotional trauma require treatment by a skilled mental health practitioner so the injured person can return to a normal life or adjust to a life altered by injury or the loss of loved ones. Again, if something emotionally traumatic were to occur, it's always comforting that you'll be able get back on the road, when you're ready, because your auto insurance company will help you get back on the road.

Elderly Drives And their Independence
Older drivers are especially vulnerable to worry about driving again, whether they were at fault in the accident or not. Depending on the state and the driver’s age, an at-fault driver may have to take some or all of the driving tests again and pass medical exams. If the older driver is not at fault, they may be afraid of being in another accident and being severely injured. Older drivers who have been in car accidents don’t have to give up their independence. A qualified therapist or doctor can help ease their fears.

Young Drivers
Young drivers who have been in a car accident may develop a fear of driving. Therapy is very beneficial for young drivers experiencing emotional trauma after an accident.

At-Fault Drivers
The driver who causes the accident is often not considered in terms of emotional turmoil after an auto accident. At-fault drivers can suffer extreme guilt, PTSD and depression. Mental healthcare professionals are not judgmental and will treat at-fault drivers with the same respect as any other patient.

No matter the severity of an auto accident and how a person was involved, there’s no need to continue to suffer from emotional turmoil. A family doctor or insurance company can help all drivers find someone to help heal their mental scars.