Four Ways To Document Your Mental Anguish Following An Accident

Florida law allows accident victims, in certain instances, to receive compensation for any mental distress or anguish that they suffer as a result of an accident. In many cases, mental distress damages may be extreme and entitle you to compensation.

At Douglas & Douglas, we work closely with our clients to maximize compensation they receive for their injuries. We never neglect emotional distress but instead help our clients to fully document the emotional fallout from their injuries. Because mental distress is not visible, you will need considerable high-quality evidence to make your case. Contact a Jacksonville personal injury attorney today for assistance.

See a Therapist or Psychologist

If your mental anguish begins to interfere with your ability to go about your daily business, then you should seek professional help. The therapist bills are costs that you can recoup in a settlement or a lawsuit. Further, meeting with a professional helps document your distress.

If necessary, we might have your therapist testify on your behalf at trial. These types of expert witnesses carry a lot of credibility with jurors. Most importantly, receiving professional help will assist your recovery, allowing you to flourish despite the accident.

Maintain a Journal/Calendar

We often recommend that patients keep a journal or calendar to document their physical pain. There is no reason why you also can’t keep a journal that records your emotional state. On a daily basis, you can record how you are feeling and whether your mood has interfered with your ability to go to work or socialize with others.

Because sleep is so intimately connected with emotion, you should also record how well you sleep each night. For many people, intrusive thoughts, fears, and negative emotions prevent them from sleeping soundly. And this sets up a negative feedback loop, since lack of sleep can increase irritability and exacerbate anxiety.

Some clients worry about recording intimate details about their thoughts, fears, and angers. Nevertheless, if you are going to make a claim for mental distress damages, then you are introducing these topics into consideration. Journaling your feelings could be as simple as one or two words on a calendar to record how you felt that day.

Have Friends & Family Testify

If we go to trial, your loved ones can testify about how your behavior has changed following the accident. Of course, you can also testify on your behalf. But, as mentioned above, jurors might find your testimony self-serving. Having other people recount how the accident changed your behavior can serve as powerful evidence.

Contact Our Jacksonville Personal Injury Lawyers for More Ideas

Emotional distress dramatically reduces a person’s quality of life, and accident victims should be compensated for this loss. Contact Douglas & Douglas today to schedule a free consultation.