For anyone who has been injured in a truck accident or watched helplessly as a loved one was rushed away by emergency personnel, you know that physical injuries aren’t the only ones that leave scars. It has been clinically proven that individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents have an increased risk of developing psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you believe you are suffering from emotional or psychological injuries as the result of a truck accident, be sure to contact an attorney who understands the intricacies of Michigan personal injury law.
Emotional Injuries are “Personal Injuries” Under Michigan Law
Michigan law recognizes that not every injury caused by your truck accident is physical. Accordingly, if you are suffering from an emotional injury as a result of your accident, you may be entitled to bring a claim for emotional harm. In Michigan, the term “personal injury” encompasses emotional harm suffered as a result of bodily harm. However, even if you did not suffer physical injuries immediately following your truck accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. For example, certain psychological trauma suffered as a result of your motor vehicle accident can manifest after your initial assessment for injuries and may include the following:
- Psychologically-induced nausea resulting from the smell of gasoline
- Inability to drive due to fear
- Anxiousness in public places accessible to motor vehicles
- Hallucinations and nightmares in which the accident is re-lived
You May Have a Claim for Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress
Michigan also recognizes a cause of action known as “negligent infliction of emotional distress” through which you may be entitled to compensation. If you were involved in a truck accident but did not suffer immediate physical injury, you should consult an attorney if you were (1) in physical danger at the time of the accident and (2) the emotional distress caused by the accident begins to manifest itself as a physical illness, e.g., the anxiety caused by a near fatal truck accident results in severe heart palpitations.
Do Not Suffer Without Consulting an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Case
If you are suffering from emotional distress resulting from a truck-related accident, know that you are not alone! The attorneys of Michigan Injury Lawyers take seriously the holistic well-being of their clients and work to ensure that no injury is ignored, even those that cannot be seen. Meeting with one of our lawyers is completely free, so there is absolutely no risk associated with having an attorney review your case. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Michigan truck accident lawyers, please call our office today at 313-GET-HELP.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2396820/