While critical injuries, such as traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or amputation, are common in motor vehicle accidents, emotional distress is not talked about as often. However, depression, post-traumatic stress, and extreme anxiety are some of the most common types of emotional injuries you can endure. If the accident you were involved in was not your fault, you should not be forced to deal with the fallout on your own.
With the support and legal advice of a top-rated Los Angeles car accident lawyer from Venerable Injury Law, you can ensure the liable party is brought to justice. While you work with your mental health counselors and healthcare providers to combat your depression, our team can work tirelessly to build a powerful claim against those responsible so you do not have to cover the costs. Contact our legal team to request a free consultation today and learn more about how you can take action if you are experiencing severe depression after a collision.
When Do Victims Experience Depression After a Car Accident?
Depression can occur anytime someone goes through a traumatic experience. Most often, depression can occur if your car accident injuries have a devastating impact on your life. You may feel sad all the time, uninterested in participating in activities you previously loved, or even find it impossible to get out of bed every day.
There Are Multiple Types of Depression that Car Accident Victims Endure
Your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer will need to discuss your depression in great detail so we can learn more about how significantly your life is affected. This way, we can ensure we are demanding compensation for your suffering. Some of the most common types of depression our clients have experienced after motor vehicle wrecks include:
- Major melancholic depression – People coping with major melancholic depression may fail to respond to stimuli or events that would normally improve their mood.
- Major psychotic depression – People dealing with major psychotic depression may find themselves experiencing hallucinations or delusions.
- Major atypical depression – People experiencing major atypical depression may find their moods improve when they experience positive incidents in their lives.
We will work tirelessly to help you recover the compensation you need to move forward with your life
Keep an Eye Out for These Symptoms of Depression After a Car Accident
The symptoms you might experience when coping with depression after a car accident can vary widely, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you were depressed prior to the accident, you may find your symptoms worsen. Your catastrophic injury attorney may ask you if you have dealt with one or more of the following symptoms or side effects:
- Reduced libido
- Feelings of emptiness, sadness, or unhappiness most of the time
- Extreme loss or increase in appetite
- Restlessness or agitation
- Loss of interest in things that you previously loved
- Difficulty concentrating, focusing, thinking, or speaking
- Unexplained bouts of crying
- Extreme frustration or irritability over small problems
- Thoughts of dying, death, or suicide
- Loss of energy, fatigue, and tiredness
How Doctors Diagnose Depression
Different physicians use different models to diagnose depression. According to the American Psychiatric Association, depression is most frequently diagnosed when a patient has multiple symptoms that dramatically impact their day-to-day activities, including their relationships, school performance, and work. Usually, depression must be assessed with a physical exam and psychological evaluation before you can receive an official diagnosis.
We will treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve.
Possible Depression Treatment Options
After a comprehensive medical exam, your healthcare provider will have a better idea of which treatment options you should start with. It is important to remember that with depression, not all treatment options will work for everyone, and you may need to try multiple treatment paths before you find something that works for you. Some of the most common ways our clients have treated their depression include:
- Antidepressants
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Hospitalization and inpatient treatment program
- Interpersonal therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
- Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
You Can File a Claim for Depression After a Car Accident
If you have been diagnosed with depression and are anxious to move forward with your life, Venerable Injury Law is here for you and can help you sue someone for a minor car accident or a catastrophic one. Most car accident cases begin with filing a claim with the insurance company. California follows fault insurance rules per California Insurance Code – INS §11580.1, so we will start by filing a claim with the liable parties’ insurance provider.
Unfortunately, the driver that hit you may not be insured. If this is the case, or they do not have enough insurance coverage, we may need to consider alternative options. For instance, you might be able to file a claim against your personal auto insurance policy if you decide to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
Filing a claim against your own insurance policy may be ill-advised, however, as insurance companies are not above increasing your premiums after filing a claim. Moving forward with a car accident lawsuit in civil court may be your next best option. Here, you can demand full repayment of your damages without the same restrictions that come with an insurance claim.
Compensation for Car Accident Victims Coping with Depression
There are virtually endless types of damages that you could demand compensation for as part of your car accident lawsuit. While you may be experiencing depression after a car accident if you have been diagnosed with other injuries or your life has been affected in other ways, you can request compensation for these losses as well. You have the right to be made whole, which means total reimbursement for your economic and non-economic damages, which might include:
- Reduced earning capacity
- Car repair expenses
- Your medical expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability and disfigurement
- Fear and shock
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Diminished value of your vehicle
- Rental car expenses
- Other property damages
- Reputational damage
- Skin scarring
- Loss of income
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You are not just a case number – you are our top priority.
If You Are Struggling with Depression, Connect with a Compassionate Car Accident Attorney Today
Depression after a car accident can make your recovery that much more difficult to overcome. When you have trouble getting out of bed every day, completing daily living tasks, and taking care of yourself due to your depression symptoms, getting the medical attention you need to get through these tough times should be a top priority. We do not believe the costs should not hold you back from getting better.
When you are ready to demand justice and hold the at-fault party accountable to the fullest extent of the law, turn to a dedicated car accident lawyer from Venerable Injury Law. Our firm offers free, no-obligation consultations to car accident victims and individuals who cope with depression after suffering serious injuries. Claim yours by calling our office or completing our quick contact form today.
We believe that our experience, dedication, and personalized approach set us apart from the rest.
