While physical injuries are the primary effect of truck accidents, they are not the only trauma inflicted on the victim. We are talking about the non-financial damages of an auto accident. In most cases, non-economic damages such as emotional loss are referred to as special damages.
Getting financial compensation for special damages is pretty complicated and you might have to navigate the legal framework to prove such damages. In this article, we will help you identify and quantify non-economic damages so that they hold in the courtroom. Know that quantifying non-economic damages is quite complex and needs the expertise of a truck accident lawyer. Let’s dive in!
Types of Non-Economic Damages Commonly Sustained in a Truck Accident
Here are the five types of non-economic damages truck accident victims commonly suffer from.
Post-traumatic Stress
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is one of the most significant non-economic damages a truck accident victim may experience. The symptoms of this mental issue are the same as an acute stress reaction. However, they may worsen over time. An experienced puyallup truck accident attorney can help you quantify PTSD to build a stronger legal case.
Stress
Stress can be a response to traumatic auto accidents and result from flashbacks, insomnia, and nightmares experienced after the incident. The most common characteristics of stress are increased mood swings, dissociative symptoms, and anxiety. While most of these symptoms usually dissipate over time, victims should seek medical care if the symptoms persist. Acute stress beyond a month should be treated as PTSD.
Grief
Grief is a common symptom after an auto accident, especially if you lose a loved one, suffer temporary or permanent physical disability, and have to cope with the loss of mobility and independence. In other words, grief is the yearning for life as it was before the accident and the difficulty in accepting the new realities of life. Prolonged grief can result in other psychological issues such as depression and stress. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you gather all the evidence of non-economic damages and build a more compelling argument.
Anxiety
Auto accident victims are prone to developing anxiety. This mental health disorder can arise immediately or after a while. Anxiety can cause victims to lose sleep at night, rendering them unable to focus on themselves and delaying the recovery process. Some victims might develop the fear of getting back behind the wheel or uneasy about being driven around. While the symptoms may fade over time, they can develop into a chronic condition in individuals, resulting in the need for professional intervention and guidance.
Depression
According to studies, nearly 17.4% of non-fatal auto accident victims suffer from depression at some point after the incident. Depression is one of the reasons behind PTSD and can also coexist with stress. It is a natural response to being involved in an automobile accident, and it makes it difficult for the victim to lead a normal life. When you or someone you know is experiencing signs of depression, it is essential to maintain tight relationships with loved ones in order to prevent thoughts of suicide from occurring.
