What Are the Long-Term Mental Effects of Car Accidents on Mental Health?

November 25, 2024

The most severe car accidents can cause lasting damage—and not just physical damage. Many of our clients here at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton have suffered from long-term emotional trauma and mental issues resulting from their collisions. These conditions can affect your life just as much as physical injuries can, and the costs associated with psychological care can build up quickly. 

If you have been in a car accident and need to recover compensation for the resulting costs, let our car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton help.  

How Do Car Accidents Lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Car accidents, especially the most severe ones, can lead to intense fear and anxiety. Your brain may try to cope with the shock by developing symptoms associated with PTSD, which may cause you to relive the accident through flashbacks or nightmares. 

These intrusive thoughts may overwhelm you and prevent you from returning to the activities or environments related to the accident or even prevent you from driving at all. PTSD symptoms can affect your ability to work, socialize, or handle daily responsibilities, severely degrading your quality of life.

Why Do Anxiety and Depression Follow Car Accidents?

Even if car accident victims do not develop PTSD, many often deal with resulting anxiety and depression. Ongoing pain, limited mobility, or a lengthy recovery process can cause a pervasive sense of helplessness and despair. You may feel constantly on edge, anticipating another accident every time you step into a vehicle; depression may set in as you process the accident’s impact on your life, especially if you face financial challenges, physical limitations, or reduced social interactions.

How Does Survivor’s Guilt Affect Car Accident Victims?

Survivor’s guilt causes you to feel guilty for surviving an accident or avoiding serious injury, especially if other passengers in your vehicle suffered more severe injuries or faced life-threatening consequences. Survivor’s guilt can weigh heavily on victims, causing a deep sense of remorse, shame, or self-blame and eroding their mental well-being. Though often unfounded, this guilt can dramatically impact your ability to appreciate life or fully recover.

Can a Car Accident Affect Self-Esteem?

If you feel partially responsible for the accident, even if it was not entirely your fault, you may feel deeply uncomfortable sitting behind the wheel or driving others. You may also feel insecure about your appearance if you have visible scars or other permanent injuries, all of which can reduce your willingness to engage with others or try new things.

The mental health effects of a car accident can linger or worsen without proper support and treatment. If you struggle with symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression because of your accident, you may need professional help to get back to normal—but these costs can add up and feel overwhelming. 

Find Legal Help With the Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton

If you need help recovering the costs of your accident, let the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton lighten your mental load. We will build your strongest case to claim the maximum possible compensation for your anxiety, depression, and PTSD treatment. Rest assured, our compassionate and seasoned attorneys will guide you through the legal process every step of the way. Call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. 

We have offices in Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Lanham, and Owings Mills, allowing us to represent clients in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.