Category: Personal Injury

Getting into a car accident can have many negative ramifications and can impact your life in many ways. You may suffer from physical injuries; endure property damage, ineligibility to work, and subsequently loss of wages. However one serious thing often neglected is the repercussion that car accidents can have on one’s mental health. Mental conditions can be mild or severe and can greatly affect one’s every day life.

Don’t Overlook Your Mental Health

In addition to seeking treatment for physical injuries, when medical personnel check out an individual it is also extremely important to assess one’s mental health. If an individual suffers from emotional distress, also referred to as mental anguish, after a car accident, it is possible that he or she can recover damages. Symptoms of emotional distress may include:

• Anxiety
• Chronic Fatigue/Exhaustion
• Compulsive or Obsessive Behaviors
• Difficulty with Every Day Routines
• Loss of Appetite
• Loss of Interest in Things That You Used to be Interested in
• Mood Swings
• Restless Sleep
• Social Withdrawal
• Weight Fluctuations

Why Does Emotional Distress Matter?

While it may not seem too bad, emotional distress can significantly overturn your entire life. It can interrupt your every day activities. One of the biggest mental issues that arises is the fear of getting back into and riding a car every again.

The severity of your emotional distress and its symptoms are dependent upon several factors, which affect different people differently; while some may not be impacted whatsoever, others will feel its effects very deeply. The factors may arise before; during, or after the car accident takes place. They include:

• Death or injury of a significant other in the accident;
• Severity of physical injuries from the accident;
• Existence of pre-existing medical conditions;
• Reduced social support or coping mechanisms;
• Potential threats to life due to the accident; and
• Low rate of recovery post-accident.

Determining Compensation

When someone is seeking compensation for emotional trauma, juries will consider certain factors to determine how much that plaintiff will receive. Such factors include:

• Where there has been any formal diagnosis related to emotional trauma;
• The underlying physical injuries;
• The severity of underlying physical injuries;
• The frequency of the symptoms;
• The severity of the symptoms; and
• Whether there is treatment for the trauma.

Nee Law LLC Helps Those Who Have Suffered Physical or Mental Illness from a Car Accident

If you or a loved one has suffered physical or mental damages due to a car accident in Rhode Island, you should not have to pay the price for someone else’s mistake. You deserve to be compensated for your hardships. That is why it is so important to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced Rhode Island personal injury attorney. At Nee Law LLC, we care about our clients and work hard to help them to get what they deserve in order to make their lives easier. To learn more about emotional distress or to schedule a consultation, you can visit us online or call us at 401-453-5633 today.

According to a 2005 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two of the four deadliest days on the road are December 23 and December 24. The six-day period that includes Christmas had 18% more auto accidents than the Thanksgiving period and 27% more than the days around New Year’s Day. Some of the reasons accidents spike during the holidays are the following:

• Drinking and Driving. Approximately 40% of all fatalities during the Christmas holiday period involved at least one alcohol-impaired driver.
• Holiday Stress. The stress of holiday shopping and holiday events can be a huge contributor to auto accidents. When shoppers are stuck in holiday traffic, or rushing to get to their destination, they tend to put safety on the back burner. Before you leave home, please take just a few moments to focus on safe driving. Or better yet, do your shopping online and avoid some of the stress.
• More Vehicles on the Road. During December, there are more vehicles on the roads than at other times of the year, leading to the potential for more auto accidents. Long distance travelers, unfamiliar with our roads, add to the congestion.
• Poor Vehicle Maintenance. Drivers saving for holiday gifts may skimp on vehicle maintenance such as new tires or brakes in the months leading up to Christmas.

If you do get in an accident, first seek medical attention either at the emergency room or with your own doctor. Then, call Nee Law at 401-453-5633 or email us at Katie@neelawoffice.com. You may be entitled to recover for lost wages, pain and suffering, out of pocket costs and property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings, as well as scarring and any permanent conditions.

It is always a mistake to accept a quick settlement from the insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Attorney Nee will represent you without any up front payment. We only get compensated if you get a fair and reasonable settlement from the insurance company.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday season.