The Psychological Effects of Car Accidents: Coping Strategies for Recovery

Car crashes are a leading cause of accidental injuries in our region. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reports that there were 250,335 people hurt in motor vehicle collisions in the state in 2023. Following an accident, victims need financial support to pay their medical bills, cover any lost wages, and compensate for their pain and suffering.

Recovering from a serious car accident is not easy. Indeed, a collision can take a serious psychological and emotional toll on the victim. At Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, we put the rights and interests of injured victims first. Here, our Houston car accident lawyer highlights coping strategies for recovering psychologically from a crash in Texas.

A car crash—even if seemingly minor or moderate—can have a truly profound, long-lasting psychological impact on the victims. The trauma of such an event can manifest in a number of different ways. Some of the most common mental health effects include:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is one of the most common psychological effects of a serious car wreck. A person who has PTSD may experience vivid, distressing memories of the accident, nightmares, and severe anxiety that can disrupt daily functioning. They might also show a heightened startle response and feel a persistent sense of fear.
• Anxiety: Anxiety is also common after serious car crashes. The victim may deal with persistent worries about driving or traveling in vehicles as well as broader anxieties that affect other areas of life. For some, anxiety can become overwhelming.
• Depression: The physical injuries from an accident, the disruption of daily life, and the potential loss of mobility can lead to feelings of hopelessness and sadness. Depression can cause withdrawal from social activities, changes in appetite, and poor sleep.
• Cognitive Impairment: Finally, cognitive impairment—such as difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making—can occur as a result of a car accident. Often, cognitive impairments are associated with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). However, the emotional strain of the crash could also contribute to impairments.

Strategy #1: Acknowledge and Accept Your Feelings

You should not bury emotional trauma related to a car accident. It is a normal problem to deal with. After a car accident, it is crucial to acknowledge and accept your feelings—whatever they may be. Indeed, suppressing emotions like fear, anger, or sadness can lead to long-term psychological distress. Recognizing these emotions as valid responses to a traumatic event can facilitate healing. Writing about your experiences, discussing them with trusted friends, and even expressing them through art can be therapeutic ways to process these feelings. Acknowledgment is the first step.

Strategy #2: Seek Professional Psychological Help

Are you dealing with a significant amount of mental or emotional trauma related to a motor vehicle collision in Texas? You need to seek professional support. Psychologists and therapists specialize in trauma and can provide evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps modify negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with the trauma. A professional can offer a safe space to explore your emotions, understand the root of your distress, and equip you with specific coping mechanisms to move forward.

Strategy #3: Consider Gradual Exposure Therapy

Many people deal with fear of getting back behind the wheel—or even into a car—after a bad crash. Gradual exposure therapy can be an effective strategy for overcoming the fear and anxiety that often follow a car accident. It is a therapeutic approach that involves slowly and repeatedly exposing yourself to the source of fear—in this case, driving or riding in a car—under controlled conditions. The goal is to reduce the fear response using an incremental strategy.

Strategy #4: Develop a Comprehensive Support System

You do not have to take on the aftermath of a serious motor vehicle collision alone. There are professional resources available to help make a difference. By creating a strong support system, you will be in the best possible position to emotionally recover from a car accident. Your support system can include family, friends, community support groups, or others who have experienced similar trauma. Support systems offer emotional comfort, practical help, and a sense of belonging, all of which are crucial during recovery. Of course, it is useful to include professional support. A therapist may help you deal with the trauma directly. An attorney can help you seek financial support to cover the costs associated with mental health support.

In Texas, car accident victims have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of their damages, including their future medical needs and their non-economic losses. If you suffered serious adverse psychological effects due to a motor vehicle crash, it is imperative that you are able to secure compensation for mental health resources that you need to make a recovery.

Recovering from a serious car crash can be challenging—especially so if you are dealing with adverse psychological and/or emotional effects. It is imperative that you are able to get compensation to cover all of the professional support that you need to make a full recovery. At Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, we put the rights and the interests of victims and families first. With extensive experience handling complex car accident injuries in Texas, our Houston car accident lawyer is always prepared to go above and beyond to fight for justice when it matters most.

At Thornton Esquire Law Group, PLLC, our Houston car crash lawyers are committed to fighting for justice for victims and their families. We are proactive. If you or your loved one suffered a serious injury in a crash. Call us now at (888) 378-1784 or contact us online for a no-cost, no-obligation case review. With an office in Houston, we handle car accident injury cases throughout the State of Texas.