Important Signs of Trauma to Look Out for After a Car Accident

While open wounds like cuts and broken bones are very easy to spot after a car accident, the signs of trauma are not always clearly evident. Your body is a complicated number of systems that work together to provide you with the best chance of getting out of a situation as possible. That means that hormones like adrenaline can keep you from feeling intense pain until it is safe for you to stop and get help.

That also means that trauma is not always easy to spot. When it is trauma related to your emotional health, it is even more challenging to see because your brain is taking time to process what has occurred. A Springfield car accident attorney from Holley, Rosen & Beard, LLC, can assist in filing a claim.

What Does Trauma Mean?

Trauma after an accident is not just physical but also emotional and mental. Trauma refers to the experience of a distressing, disturbing, or otherwise significantly impactful event that causes an emotional response. A car accident can cause trauma for various reasons:

• You are no longer in control.
• You are scared of what is to come.
• You may no longer feel safe in a vehicle
• You may be struggling with pain that does not get better.
• Sometimes, it can be hard to cope, and you continue to see the incident playing out in your mind.

Consider the Following Types of Trauma After a Car Accident

The signs of trauma after a car accident are dependent specifically on the type of trauma you experienced. Here are some examples:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder. You may experience an intense fear that is unrealistic about getting into a vehicle again. You feel helpless and continue to see the incident taking place in your mind.
• Traumatic brain injuries. This type of accident can cause structural damage to the brain, which can lead to changes in the way your brain processes emotions and mental health decision-making. If you are struggling with mood swings or concentration issues, that could be a sign of this type of damage.
• Mental trauma. Another type of trauma is a mental health and psychological condition that develops after a car accident. Many people do not pay enough attention to this type of trauma, but it can be evident from your inability to process what occurred, ignoring what happened, or having nightmares about it.

Know When to Get Help

If you believe you have any of those conditions, seek help immediately. You may also want to seek out help if you have other signs of trauma after a car accident, including:

• Flashbacks that stir fear and anxiety
• You start avoiding activities you once loved
• You feel emotionally numb
• There are times when you cannot think clearly
• You feel hopeless and depressed about your future
• You avoid talking to others about the incident
• You are finding it easier to sleep all of the time than to engage with life

In all of these situations, your brain may be struggling with the outcome of the accident. Trauma of any form is something that needs to be addressed by a professional.