Car accidents don’t just hurt your body—they can hurt your mind, too. After a crash, many people struggle with mental and emotional distress until long after their physical injuries heal.
The law allows you to get compensation for this emotional suffering, but how do you prove something others can’t see?
Medical records
Your medical records serve as evidence of your visits to healthcare professionals and the mental health challenges. Medical records may include diagnoses and any prescriptions for medication related to anxiety or depression.
Regular check-ups create a timeline of your difficulties. It helps show a direct link between the accident and your emotional suffering.
Mental health professional testimonies
A licensed therapist or psychologist can assess your mental state and offer professional opinions on how the accident has impacted your emotional health. Having a professional diagnosis for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression helps show how the accident impacts your daily life and psychological well-being.
Daily journal entries
Start keeping a detailed journal about how emotional distress affects your daily life. This includes:
- Activities you can no longer enjoy
- How your relationships suffer
- Sleep disruptions or nightmares
- Medication side effects
Recording your good days and bad days helps others understand the emotional toll of the accident in ways that medical terms can’t.
Family and friends’ statements
The people close to you notice changes in how you act. Their statements about the differences they see provide valuable outside perspectives. Maybe your spouse sees how nervous you get in cars now, or your friends notice you’re missing social events. These observations help show how the accident changed your life.
Getting the financial support you deserve
Your emotional pain matters just as much as physical injuries—and may cost as much, too. As medical expenses add up quickly, especially if you can’t work due to your condition, receiving your rightful compensation becomes more important.
Good documentation helps you get the financial support you need. Additionally, working with a personal injury attorney may help you gather more evidence to help strengthen your claims.