We seldom realize what awesome danger we are in when we drive. We’re inside large metal boxes, hurtling down the streets at tremendous speeds. When we are involved in a car accident, our perspective on driving changes forever. The sudden slowing down, the immense g-forces enacted on our bodies, and the sheer noise of metal colliding, will have hidden effects left with us. It’s not always about the financial side of things although that too is very important. If you have been in a car crash, do any of these things apply to you?
Driving PTSD
In modern society, we’re learning a lot more about PTSD. it’s not exclusive to war veterans and we’re only just finding out what driving PTSD means. The shock of a car accident will be dazzling to our senses. Near-death experiences are always tough to comprehend and there are so many chemicals released in our brain, that flood our psyche. We can be in a state of confusion, anger, fear and even guilt, all at the same time. Those suffering from driving PTSD might blame themselves for a car crash which wasn’t their fault. If the guilty party was injured or perhaps passed away from their injuries, we can put the blame on ourselves. Despite being irrational, this is a way our brain begins to think. Those with driving PTSD may never want to get behind the wheel again or feel very stressed when they do.
Long-lasting bitterness
When you have been drastically hurt in a collision which wasn’t your fault, yet the police can’t help you, it makes you feel very disheartened. Losing confidence in the system, that’s supposed to be protecting you from reckless people, is a very common experience that drivers feel. That’s one of the reasons why motor vehicle accident claim lawyers are unsung heroes. They will pick up your case, and study it with a fine-toothed comb. They arrange case conferences with insurance companies and then collect evidence proving you were not at fault. Perhaps most importantly, they will fight for your compensation from the other party. Needing time off work to rest and recuperate from your injuries, means you’re losing money if you’re not on paid sick leave. The compensation will help to pay your medical bills too. If the system won’t help you, lawyers will.
Need for more safety
What if your children were hurt in the car with you? This is why so many parents choose to bite the bullet and just buy a more expensive people carrier or larger family car in general. They would rather their kids be placed in a strong, heavy car, that will protect them from any type of accident. If you were fine with a smaller car before, you may find that the injuries your children sustained weigh heavily on your conscience. The need for more safety, strong seatbelts and more airbags becomes a priority after a crash, for many parents.
Don’t underestimate the hidden impacts of what being in a car crash can leave on your psyche. Feelings of guilt, anger and confusion, result in driving PTSD and can change your life.
