Long-Term Impact of a Florida Car Accident

Did you know that almost every 10 seconds, someone is injured in a motor vehicle accident in the United States? Even though the majority of car accidents are not fatal, these crashes can result in long-term complications for those involved.

British researchers completed a study that showed that at least one-third of all people involved in a car accident that was not fatal, developed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), persistent anxiety, depression and phobias one year after the crash.

According to the author of the British study, Richard Mayou, FRCPsych, professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford’s department of psychiatry at Warneford Hospital in Oxford, England, there may be “rather large psychological complications even when the motor vehicle accidents have medically not been in the least bit serious.” Mayou went on to say that there has been a past assumption that people who suffer more severe injuries are more likely to experience psychiatric complications, but that isn’t necessarily the case.

Researchers studied more than 1,000 men and women who had been taken to a hospital after an accident. Most of these individuals recovered from the psychological impact within 3 to 12 months, but many others had persistent complications or suddenly started experiencing anxiety and other symptoms months after the incident. The majority of those who had persistent anxiety were surprisingly passengers in the accident not the driver.

Anxiety after a car accident could include fear about driving or riding in cars or simply avoiding cars altogether. It can also include feelings of nervousness or stress when passing by the accident site or seeing similar road conditions.

To recover from the emotional trauma from a car accident, it is important to recognize that you have a problem and seek the appropriate medical help. A qualified medical professional can help you overcome the feelings of anxiety following a car accident.

If you have been injured in a car accident, contact a Florida car accident lawyer at the Law Office of William K. Saron for legal advice. Call (727) 345-4566 or (866) 836-4947 today.

Source: “Impact of Car Accidents Can Be Long-Lasting” posted on WebMD.com.