Even if you are the only member of your family who is involved in an auto accident, the effects can expand on to affect each person. If you’ve never been injured in a collision, you may not have experienced the sort of serious psychological, financial, and physical toll that can result. Here’s why you should be concerned.

Auto accidents are common

You or someone you know is likely to be injured in an auto accident this year. Your own personal experience may already back this up, but the statistics are sound: nearly 2.5 million people are injured each year on United States roads. Even if your insurance is adequate at the time of the collision, the other driver may not have proper coverage – and the effects can be devastating.

Psychological effects are frequent

A variety of psychological issues can arise after an auto accident injury. They can be debilitating and cause loss of work, impaired relations with family members, and can rack up substantial bills for treatment. Here are the most likely illnesses:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Per the American Association of Family Physicians, the leading cause of PTSD symptoms is motor vehicle accidents. Although it is more commonly associated with other causes, the effects are just as real and serious in the aftermath of auto collisions.

The way that PTSD manifests is unique to the individual, but the common symptoms include the avoidance of situations that might trigger flashbacks to the moment of the accident, reliving the trauma, and feeling keyed up. Any of these can affect your ability to perform your work, regular household duties, or relate normally to your family.

Depression and Anxiety

These tend to occur together, and can also be debilitating, requiring lengthy treatment and loss of income and companionship. Both can cause insomnia, irritability, and an inability to deal with normal daily stresses and routines.

It’s uncommon for these types of psychological problems to resolve on their own, and they can easily affect the entire family. As a matter of fact, family therapy is an accepted practice to help all of the members deal with their own issues that have arisen in response to the accident victim’s illness.

Physical effects are often long-lasting

The physical toll of an automobile accident can be debilitating. Common injuries, such as spinal cord damage, frequently require months or even years of treatment and rehabilitation. Even less severe injuries can impact the victim’s capacity to go to work or participate in the sort of family activities that they enjoyed prior to the accident.

The impact of this can be more far-ranging than you would expect. Your family may need to hire someone to help with the tasks you normally performed, such as cooking, cleaning, or child care. It’s possible that you can be physically limited to the point that you can not help drive or attend required events such as school conferences. Life can be disrupted in every aspect.

Financial issues can be extensive

Medical expenses are just the beginning. Your family could face financial hardship from the loss of your income, and possibly that of other family members, if they are forced to help cut back on hours to assist with household chores and your care. You may need to hire additional help to care for you, your children, and take care of daily tasks. If the other driver in the accident that caused your injuries wasn’t properly insured, you may be in for a long, expensive legal battle as your struggle to have your expenses covered and seek compensation for your losses.

Conclusion

When it comes to auto accidents, only one hurt member can set off a chain of circumstances that affects your whole family. It’s not just the physical aftermath of issues such as impaired mobility or loss of skills – it can include psychological effects and financial hardship, as well. The seriousness of auto accident injuries is not always apparent at the outset. It’s important to seek the counsel of a qualified attorney who can help answer your questions, guide you through the complicated process of seeking compensation and filing claims, and help get your family the help it needs at a highly stressful time.