If you’ve been in a car accident before, you know just how stressful the entire process can be. I was in an accident a little over a year ago, and the accident was not my fault. But the entire process was stressful. You’ll have both insurance companies contacting you. An adjuster will view your vehicle, and the entire time you will be sitting there wondering if your car is totaled or not.
Let’s not even mention how stingy the insurer was on my rental car – giving me less than 3 days of rental car time while the insurance adjuster came out to view the vehicle.
Car accidents can cause emotional and mental stress. When driving is your source of income, these issues will become even worse.
Uber and Lyft drivers not only have to worry about losing their source of income, but they will also have to worry about insurance hassles. There may be backlash from the insurer because the vehicle was being used for commercial reasons.
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may feel the following emotional distress issues:
- Mood swings
- Crying
- Loss of appetite
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Sleeplessness
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Crying
I remember getting very nervous after my accident, and I avoided that particular intersection for over a year. I still avoid it when I can.
These symptoms can negatively impact your life. For some, the symptoms are short-lived, but for others, these symptoms become a key part of life.
A lot of accidents are occurring due to distracted driving, which killed 3,477 people and injured 400,000 in 2015.
Even when an accident isn’t your fault, it can cause you mental and emotional stress. Mental stress is a very serious issue, and it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. These stresses may lead to the following symptoms:
- Recurring memories of the accident
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Depression
- Withdrawal
- Emotional distress
For some drivers, mental stress can lead to the avoidance of driving. A person may not even want to get into an automobile again because it will remind them of the accident.
Overcoming Emotional and Mental Stress
Time helps most people overcome their emotional and mental stress, but for others, time isn’t all that’s needed. When the symptoms are severe, you’ll need to:
- Seek regular therapy visits
- Use aids to return to everyday life
- Possibly take medications
Costs for treatment can be significant, and this is why many drivers pursue lawsuits against the person that caused the accident.
Long-term impacts on a person are also noted, and one-in-three children that have been in accidents suffer from mental trauma following an accident. The statistics for drivers are not far off from this figure. The trauma can last for up to one year, and sometimes, the impact will last longer.
If you’ve been in an accident and have any of the above symptoms, it’d best to:
- Talk to friends and family
- Try and maintain your normal routine
- Stay active
When your symptoms won’t go away, don’t feel ashamed to seek professional therapy.
