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Did you know there are several categories of money damages available to personal injury car accident victims that the auto insurance company will not tell you about? This is Rhode Island and Massachusetts personal injury lawyer Mike Bottaro here to discuss one such category: mental anguish.
A car accident with personal injuries can really turn someone’s life upside down.
Car Accident Personal Injuries: Mental Suffering
Aside from the physical injuries, the law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts allows recovery for a type of pain and suffering known as mental suffering.
For example, in the Rhode Island jury instructions, mental suffering “may include nervousness, anxiety, worry, shock, humiliation, embarrassment or indignity.”
The law also recognizes, in special circumstances, damages on a claim for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” In this claim, a personal injury victim must establish “intentional or reckless disregard for the probability of causing emotional distress” caused by the defendant. There must be some proof of “medically established physical symptomology.” This typically means medical documentation of same.
Your Personal Injury Case: Proving Mental Suffering
After a car accident or other personal injury, some of the most common conditions include mental suffering conditions such as:
- Anxiety or depression
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Memory loss or repressed memories
- Sleep issues
Unlike a physical personal injury, diagnosing a mental injury can be harder to spot. Your symptoms might include:
- Reliving the car accident over and over again in your head
- Obsessively talking about the details of the car crash
- Avoiding certain driving situations, conditions, or the location of the accident
- Bad dreams and lack of sleep due to accident
Your out-of-character behavior might be normal to experience a few days after the car accident, but recognizing the symptoms of a mental injury is important. If you are experiencing these symptoms several weeks after the accident, seeing a therapist or counselor for an evaluation will help immensely.
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro! – 24/7 Personal Injury Help
At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, Mike and his team handle Rhode Island and Massachusetts care accident personal injury claims every day. Honesty. Integrity. Results. Our experienced legal team is here to fight for your rights. Contact us in any method you prefer 24/7 for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Text or call: 401-777-7777 or fill out our free and confidential online form.