Key Takeaways:
- Adjustment Disorder (AjD) is a condition that can emerge after a person suffers a traumatic event in their life.
- Often overlooked in car accidents, adjustment disorder can and does happen to crash victims.
- Victims may experience extreme fears or phobias, severe anxiety, mood swings, depression, and a variety of other symptoms, depending on how the AjD affects them.
- Working with an experienced Michigan car accident attorney who understands the intricacies of AjD can help injured people get the help and financial compensation they need to get well.
Experiencing a car accident in Michigan can be a traumatic event, often leading to emotional and psychological challenges that linger long after the physical injuries have healed.
One common but frequently overlooked condition that can arise after a car crash event is adjustment disorder. This condition occurs when the stress from the accident overwhelms your ability to cope, leading to emotional and behavioral symptoms that disrupt your daily life.
Consulting with an experienced Michigan car accident attorney can help you navigate the legal complexities and advocate for the full scope of your recovery needs. Addressing both your physical and emotional health is essential to moving forward after a car accident.
What is Adjustment Disorder?
Individuals with adjustment disorder (AjD) may experience persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or irritability. Other symptoms include trouble with concentration, sleep disturbances, and even physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches.
According to one U.S. study and noted by the Cleveland Clinic, 5–20% of outpatient mental health visits were associated with AjD. This disorder is often related to major life losses, such as death, job loss, and divorce, but is also known to occur after car accidents.
Under typical experiences, individuals suffering excessive stress due to an event usually adjust within a few months. If it does not, the reactions associated with Adjustment Disorder can affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy activities you once found pleasurable.
Acute Vs. Chronic Adjustment Disorder
There are two primary kinds of AjD: acute and chronic:
- Symptoms lasting six months or less are “acute” adjustment disorder.
- If the symptoms after the accident last more than six months, it is considered “chronic” AjD.
Symptoms & Treatment
It is common for people to feel mostly depressed, sad, or tearful, while others will have anxiety-based symptoms. Some suffering from adjustment disorder will feel a mix of both.
Other behaviors may also manifest, depending on the particular form (sub-type) of AjD the person is experiencing. Treatments for adjustment disorder might include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Medication
- Family therapy
- Peer group therapy
The recovery process should be tailored to your needs. Insurance companies may try to undermine serious injuries, including mental health conditions. Working with an experienced attorney who knows how to stand up to insurance companies can help position you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Can I Sue For Anxiety Or Emotional Distress After A Car Accident?
Yes, in Michigan, you may be able to sue the party responsible for your pain and suffering after a car accident. In this case, you might be able to pursue compensation based on your emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other impairments you suffer.
Related Resources
- Qualified Health Coverage & Michigan No-Fault Insurance: Michigan revised its car insurance laws in 2020 to allow residents to opt out of PIP medical coverage if they carry qualified health coverage. While saving money on premiums might sound good, dropping PIP off your insurance policy can affect your compensation and coverage if you are in an accident.
- What is Survivor’s Guilt and How to Cope with an Accident Fatality: Car accidents are traumatic, especially when a wrongful death occurs. Surviving accident victims may feel guilty over the loss even if the crash was not their fault. Survivors of crashes should seek help and support from loved ones, counselors, and support groups to help them recover.
- Negotiating Medical Bills After Settlement: Medical bills after an accident can get overwhelming quickly. Most people do not realize these can be negotiated. Successfully doing so reduces costs and helps avoid financial stresses, especially if a car accident settlement is less than the accumulated medical bills. You will need to assemble medical records and other documentation before the negotiation process.
Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law
Matz Injury Law has spent decades and hundreds of thousands of miles traveling throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, supporting clients and their family members. As dedicated Michigan lawyers, we do everything we can to support our clients.
Clients often choose to work with us because they know how much we care. We understand what our clients are going through and care about their well-being. If you select us as your personal injury law firm, you can rest assured you’ll have full transparency with your injury claim and always have access to your car accident lawyer.
Our law firm is well-versed in Michigan personal injury laws and knows how to navigate the insurance claim landscape. Furthermore, we are also a lower-fee personal injury law firm. Instead of the standard 33 1/3%, Matz Injury Law only charges a 22% contingency fee. This means more money back in your pocket once your accident claim is complete.
Client Testimonials
“Steve Matz deserves more than five stars! He went above and beyond to help me with my automobile accident/lawsuit and stayed in constant contact with me. He cared about me as a person and how I was feeling or doing.” — Holly L.
“Steve is nothing short of amazing! He is currently helping me with my lawsuit and has been THE best, very knowledgeable, and works hard!!! Very guiding and informational, and the guidance he gives every step of the way is phenomenal. I’d be lost without help!” — Tiffany L.
“Wow! What an amazing attorney, Mr. Steven Matz. His guidance & expertise set my family’s mind at ease & we are all forever grateful for such a wonderful person. Thanks again, Mr Steven Matz. I wish I could give him 10 stars!” — Natasha S.
“Steve Matz was there when I needed him. Nobody expects to be a victim of a car accident, but when I found myself in that situation, it was overwhelming. Steve made everything easy. Steve did not accept the insurance company’s first offer. He held out and got me a better settlement. Steve is very kind and professional. I highly recommend Matz Injury Law.” — Sharon K.
You Do Not Have to Do This Alone
If you or a loved one were in a motor vehicle collision and experienced any of the symptoms linked to adjustment disorder, the understanding and compassionate personal injury attorneys at Matz Injury Law are here for you.
To date, our law firm has recovered more than $300 million for our clients to help them get medical care, mental health treatment, and any other type of help they need to recover. Our personal injury lawyers will focus on getting you the compensation you need for your injuries while you focus on healing.
To schedule a free consultation, call Matz Injury Law at 1-866-22Not33 or fill out our convenient online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is normal to develop a level of anxiety after experiencing a motor vehicle collision.
If you or anyone you are close to notices you are showing signs of emotional distress that is prolonged (more than three months) or is unusually high, it is important to seek medical attention.
Medical treatment can help you recover from the emotional distress of a car accident. It is equally important not to rush your recovery. Speak with a healthcare professional about the proper treatment plan for your symptoms.
The symptoms of anxiety following a motor vehicle accident can vary widely. Those suffering from mental trauma may experience being scared of driving or afraid of roadways. They may also even fear specific types of vehicles. Other symptoms might include changes in behaviors or moods. Accident victims may also experience loss of memory or traumatic flashbacks.
It is essential to pursue healthcare treatment if your condition is severe or persists. Treatment for anxiety and other mental health conditions after a car accident will be tailored to your needs. Your healthcare professional will typically prescribe “talk” therapy, medication, or a combination of both to help you recover.
