When crash victims and others who have been harmed by the conduct of others decide to pursue personal injury cases, they don’t usually seek redress solely for their physical harm. They also often choose to seek justice in the wake of sustaining significant emotional and psychological challenges.
The aftermath of an accident or injury can be overwhelming, leading to a host of challenging emotional responses, including the following:
- Anxiety and/or depression: A sudden change in circumstances, combined with pain and uncertainty about the future, can lead to anxiety and depression
- Anger and/or frustration: Victims of harm often feel anger towards the party responsible for their injuries and frustration concerning legal process and recovery time
- Fear and/or worry: Concerns about financial stability, job security and the ability to return to normal life can be daunting
- Guilt and/or shame: Some individuals may blame themselves for the incident that caused their harm, even if they were not at fault
It can be undeniably difficult to manage the emotional toll inspired by preventable physical harm. Thankfully, there are things that injury victims can do to help address this particularly complex challenge.
Getting started
Setting and achieving small, realistic goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and progress. These goals can be related to physical recovery, legal milestones and/or personal achievements. Celebrating these small victories can improve mood and provide motivation.
When crafting these goals, consulting with one’s medical care team, mental health care team and legal team may be wise. When dealing with emotional trauma, it can be difficult to “see the forest for the trees.” By allowing others who have extensive experience navigating such circumstances to weigh in, injury victims can better ensure that they’re headed in a meaningfully informed direction.
Navigating the emotional toll of personal injury cases requires a multifaceted approach, and employing this kind of dynamic way forward isn’t always easy. However, it is important to acknowledge that with manageable, sustained action, things truly can get better.