It's well-known that motor accidents can cause serious injuries to all parties involved. However, what is not as well-known is the fact that motor vehicle accidents can result in serious psychological injury and harm.
Symptoms of Psychological Injury
Psychological injuries are actually a common type of injury for someone to suffer due to a motor vehicle accident.
According to the 2021 Motor Accident Insurance Commission's Annual CTP Scheme Insights report, it was found that more than 27% of claimants in personal injuries claims against CTP insurers experienced psychological injuries.[1]
Symptoms can be present immediately after the accident or gradually develop over time. They can result from:
- Being involved in or witnessing an accident; or
- Having a loved one seriously injured as a result of an accident.
However, as the exact symptoms of psychological injuries can be subjective, it may be difficult at times to determine whether you have been impacted psychologically following an accident.
So, how do you know if you have suffered from a psychological injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident?
Typically, psychological injuries are characterised by a change in mood, feelings, thoughts and/or behaviour, such as feeling anxious while driving, struggling to focus at work, or a reluctance to socialise.
Symptoms can also be very minor initially, and can gradually increase in severity overtime.
Conclusion
If you're concerned you're experiencing any symptoms of a psychological injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident (such as those described above), it's important to seek help from your general practitioner and/or a professional. No matter how minor or trivial you believe your symptoms are.
Alternatively, you may like to contact mental health assistance hotlines such as the following:
Mental health phone service for Queenslanders: 1300 642 255
Lifeline: 131 114
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
An alternative and easy method, is to complete a Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS) questionnaire. The questionnaire has 21 statements where you circle a number (0 to 3) to indicate how much the statement applied to you. In doing so, it generates a score, which measures the severity of depression, anxiety and stress you are experiencing.
If you would like a copy of this questionnaire or need assistance in completing it and calculating the results, please do not hesitate to contact our office.
However, no matter the results of the DASS questionnaire, it is important to recognise that psychological injuries can have a major impact on one's life.
Accordingly, where you feel that you have suffered from any form of psychological injury as a result of a motor vehicle accident, and you have made a claim or intend to make a claim against the CTP insurer, please do not hesitate to contact our office for assistance.