Getting into an accident can be incredibly terrifying, especially for accidents involving large commercial trucks. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, the incidents can be severe and lead to devastating injuries. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, our truck accident attorneys in Everett want to discuss how these incidents can affect a person’s emotional and psychological well-being.
How could a truck accident affect a person’s mental health
Accidents involving large commercial trucks are often devastating. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a semi-truck that is fully loaded with cargo can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Due to the size and weight of these vehicles, drivers and passengers inside traditional vehicles often sustain severe injuries in an impact.
Physical injuries are not the only type of injury victims incur in these incidents. A truck accident can cause significant emotional and psychological trauma, or what is often referred to in a personal injury case as “pain and suffering” damages. This can include fear, anxiety, trouble sleeping, mood swings, anger, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Treatment for these injuries can require extensive counseling, psychotherapy, or prescription medications.
Proving these damages
Unfortunately, it is not easy to prove that a victim has sustained emotional and psychological distress due to an accident. As opposed to physical trauma, these injuries cannot necessarily be seen. Proving emotional and mental injuries will rely on testimony from the victim and testimony from others who can discuss the victim’s altered mental status. For example, family and friends of a truck accident victim could testify to a person’s behavioral changes after the accident occurred.
Insurance companies will generally accept that emotional and mental damages are a part of a settlement, so long as the claim is proportional to the severity of the injuries. For example, it will be more difficult to prove significant pain and suffering for a broken arm that completely heals as opposed to spinal cord injuries that lead to a victim’s paralysis.
For cases that are not settled and let go to trial, juries can usually sympathize with a victim who has been in a severe accident. A jury could listen to testimony from the victim and other witnesses, and the amount of compensation received in a trial is generally determined by how effective this testimony is.
Our team is ready to help you today
If you or somebody you love has been injured in an accident involving a large commercial truck, you may need to seek legal assistance for the case. At Russell & Hill, PLLC, we understand those truck accidents can lead to tremendous expenses for victims as well as substantial emotional and psychological trauma. Our goal is to secure any compensation a truck accident victim is entitled to, which can include:
- Compensation for all medical bills
- Lost wages and benefits
- General household expenses
- Physical therapy expenses
- All pain and suffering damages
When you need a truck accident attorney in Everett, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 800-529-0842.