Trauma After Car Accident: 5 Types That You Need to Know

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

It happens in an instant, and when you least expect it: The screeching sound of brakes. The deafening impact. Then silence.

Even if you and your loved ones are able to walk away from a car accident, the trauma can continue to affect your life for a long time after the tow trucks leave. Car accident injuries can be more than just visible cuts or broken bones. Sometimes the deepest wounds are the ones you can’t see, with trauma that can have an underlying impact on your overall mental and emotional health.

At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., our team brings the years of experience that you need, and we’ve helped thousands of Michigan families with their legal rights after vehicle accidents. We understand that your healing is much more than only physical recovery, which is why we work hard to negotiate the financial support that you need to help you get back on your feet again.

What Is Trauma After a Car Accident?

In addition to the physical trauma that causes tissue and bone injuries, there can also be deeper trauma that can impact your ability to function in life. Trauma happens when your body and mind can’t process the events that occurred. Your brain goes into survival mode when the car accident happens, which floods your system with stress hormones.

Medical research shows that up to 39% of car accident survivors develop some form of trauma response. The National Safety Council reports that motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of injury in the United States.

The 5 Key Types of Traumas to Know

Physical Trauma and Hidden Injuries

When a collision happens, it causes your body to absorb a lot of force because of the hit. Even if you were driving slowly, the sudden stop and impact can cause tissue damage, which doesn’t always show up immediately.

Whiplash is one of the most common car crash injury issues that we see. The seatbelt is holding your body in place, but your neck moves forward and backward faster than your muscles can react to maintain stability. This motion causes soft tissue tears, but sometimes accident victims don’t start feeling the pain for hours or days.

If you have a concussion, then it might go undiagnosed after the accident. For example, you hit your head but feel “fine” at the scene. Later, headaches, dizziness, and memory problems start appearing.

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

Car accident trauma symptoms often cause intense emotional responses that can catch you off guard. In one moment, you might feel perfectly calm, then the emotions surface unexpectedly and you burst into tears the next moment.

Anxiety can start to sneak into every area of your life. Seemingly simple things like driving suddenly feel very difficult or even impossible. Depression can creep in slowly, disrupting your normal routine and leaving you feeling helpless.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD can happen with any traumatic event, and it happens when your brain gets stuck in emergency mode. You continue experiencing the accident in your mind over and over again, through flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.

You might also experience triggers that bring up the stress responses, such as the smell of burning rubber or squealing brakes that suddenly take you back to that moment of impact. Some people experience so much PTSD that they attempt to avoid the triggers, which can become a coping strategy if they stop driving altogether.

Cognitive and Neurological Effects

Brain injuries from car accidents can affect so many aspects of your life because they change how you think and process information. Memory problems are frustrating and scary, especially when you start forgetting appointments or can’t remember what happened before the accident.

You might find it hard to concentrate, and overall mental stamina decreases significantly after head trauma.

Social and Relationship Trauma

Accidents don’t just hurt you… They affect everyone who cares about you: family, friends, and more. Not only does the pressure of medical bills put a strain on the relationships, but other financial stresses pop up because of lost income. Plus, your emotional changes can have an undeniable impact on the connection with the people you love.

Communication patterns shift. You might become withdrawn or overly dependent on others, and these role changes can disrupt family dynamics (especially when you can’t work or drive).

Symptoms for Each Type of Trauma

After car accident symptoms can include chronic pain that doesn’t respond to typical medical treatments. Some of the most common symptoms can linger for months: headaches, neck stiffness, back pain, and more.

Often, car accident victims experience sleep problems because of trauma. You might have a hard time falling asleep or experience nights where you are restless and waking up often, with vivid dreams about the accident because of your car accident trauma.

How Our Lawyers Help with Trauma-Related Claims

At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., we understand that car accident injuries are much more than broken bones and bruises. Our skilled team works with medical experts who specialize in trauma, and we build your case with solid documentation showing how the accident has affected your entire life.

We have the connections you need, with the right healthcare providers who understand accident-related trauma. If necessary, you can meet with specialists who can properly diagnose and treat your specific symptoms.

Our team fights for compensation that covers all your trauma-related expenses, including ongoing therapy, lost wages from missed work, and compensation for pain and suffering.

We handle the insurance companies while you focus on healing. Plus, you can sleep easy at night knowing that you have legal advocates without paying anything upfront: our fees are set up on a contingency basis, which means that you only pay attorney fees if you have a successful outcome for your case.

Take Action Today

If you’re experiencing any type of trauma after a car accident, then it’s essential that you seek help as soon as possible. Early medical treatment often leads to better outcomes, and delaying legal action can hurt your case.

For more information about available legal services, contact our compassionate team at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. We can review your case, guide you through the claims process, and help you understand your legal options. Our experienced car accident lawyers in Michigan are here to support you every step of the way.

Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.