Car crashes, slip and falls, and other types of accidents can cause significant damage including both physical and mental ailments. If you sustained psychological injuries in an accident, understanding how to properly document evidence is imperative to ensure you can be properly compensated. Reach out to a Middlesex County personal injury attorney to secure skilled representation and legal advice during your case.
Can I Recover Compensation for Psychological Injuries?
Depending on the details of your accident and how you are seeking damages, you may be able to recover compensation for your psychological injuries. After an accident caused by another person or entity’s negligent actions, you have several options to seek compensation.
One of the most common ways to collect compensation after an accident is by filing a liability insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. Through either of these legal actions, you can recover compensation for a variety of damages including lost wages, property damage, and both economic and non-economic losses associated with both physical and psychological injuries.
If you were injured at work and qualify for workers’ compensation, you can be covered for psychological injuries as well.
It is important to note that mental conditions are not eligible for coverage all of the time. For example, many NJ drivers recover compensation for medical expenses after a car accident through PIP (personal injury protection). However, PIP does not cover psychological injuries.
How Can I Document Psychological Injuries After My Accident?
If you sustained psychological injuries in an accident it is crucial that you document the ailment thoroughly to ensure you have ample evidence to present in an insurance claim or lawsuit. Psychological injuries can create significant losses in your life, both economic and non-economic.
Consider the following ways to document your psychological injuries.
- Medical records: Secure copies of all medical records associated with your injuries as well as treatments and medications you received.
- Counseling or therapy: Information regarding therapy or mental health counseling you received can also be helpful in proving your mental ailment and suffering. The fact that you sought out this type of help can prove that you were enduring emotional trauma.
- Expert testimony: Some of the most compelling evidence is through expert testimony from doctors and mental health professionals. They can testify to your condition, their diagnosis, and how it has impacted you in your daily life.
- Witness testimony: Friends, family members, and other people close to you can speak to how you were before the injury and how you have been affected since. This will help establish the toll your injury has had on you.
- Personal journal: Your firsthand experience can also be effective in establishing your injuries. Keep a detailed journal outlining your day-to-day experience while dealing with your condition including your thoughts and how you are impacted by your injury.
Although psychological injuries are not visible to the human eye, they are very real and damaging. For more information on how you can document and prove your mental condition, work with a skilled personal injury attorney.
