According to statistics, over 220,000 deaths in the United States are reported due to accidents every year. Moreover, accidents account for 24.8 million visits to the physician’s office and 24.2 million ER visits annually.
An accident can have several catastrophic consequences, sometimes changing a person’s life forever. Accidents can result from the victim’s negligence but also from another person’s or party’s negligence.
If you have been involved in an accident due to another person’s negligence, hire a personal injury attorney to get compensation for all the suffering you may have experienced following an accident.
While the most obvious impacts of accidents often appear as broken bones, injuries, and physical wounds, there are emotional and psychological effects of an accident that a victim has to face. Some of the problems that a victim has to face after an accident include the following:
Physical consequences of an accident
An accident can lead to a range of physical issues for the victim. From minor wounds and bruises to major injuries such as loss of mobility and loss of limbs, there is a wide range of problems that a victim may experience following an accident.
Some of these include the following.
- Cuts, burns, and bruises
- Tissue damage or strain
- Bone fracture of the limbs
- Scarring or permanent disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries leading to loss of mobility
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations/loss of limbs
- Loss of mobility
- Death
Emotional and psychological consequences of an accident
Apart from the physical consequences resulting from an accident, the victim may also experience various psychological effects that can negatively impact their quality of life.
Some of the emotional and psychological problems that can ensue include the following:
- Fear and anxiety
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Change in sleeping patterns and appetite
- Posttraumatic stress disorder
- Increased irritability
- Lost quality of life due to traumatic brain injury, paralysis, or amputations
Consequences of an accident among young children
While accidents due to another party’s negligence can have dire consequences for adults, the effects are often worse for children.
Young children who experience accidents have an increased susceptibility to physical injuries due to their young, developing bodies. Moreover, they are more prone to psychological injuries as they have impressionable minds.
Physical injuries following an accident among young children include the following:
- Strains, sprains, bruises, and wounds
- Damaged tissue, muscle, or fractured bones
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Permanent loss of mobility due to traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries such as paralysis
- Amputations
Since children are more receptive and have developing minds, the impact of accidents can have lasting implications on their current and future lives. As a result, young children can experience a wide range of long-term emotional and psychological symptoms in the wake of a serious accident.
Some of the serious emotional and psychological ramifications of an accident for children include the following.
- Frequent outbursts and tantrums
- Unexplained phobias
- Increased frustration, irritability, and aggression
- Difficulty in concentrating at school, which reflected in poor performance
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained mood swings
- Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder
- Personality and behavioural changes.
Another common emotional consequence children may experience following an accident is regression, where child victims regress to habits they have previously outgrown. Some examples of regressive behaviours include thumb-sucking and bed-wetting.
Final thoughts
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident due to another party’s negligence that has caused physical, emotional, and psychological issues, it is best to seek legal assistance. Consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you claim damages that account for physical pain, medical bills, therapy costs, emotional distress, and loss of future income.
While no compensation may be sufficient to make up for all that you have experienced, you can still expect significant remuneration that can help you carry on with your life.
Ellen Diamond, a psychology graduate from the University of Hertfordshire, has a keen interest in the fields of mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
