The Physical and Psychological Effects of Drunk Driving Accidents
Unfortunately, drunk driving accidents are quite common in the United States of America. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 37 people in the U.S. are killed in drunk driving accidents daily. The NHTSA approximates that in 2021 alone, over 13,000 people died in drunk driving crashes in the U.S. Unfortunately, if a drunk driving accident does not result in death, it will most likely result in serious injuries.
The cost of drunk driving is quite high. The physical and emotional effects of drunk driving crashes can take a high toll on victims or their families. In this article, we discuss the physical and psychological effects of drunk driving accidents on victims and their families.
The Physical Effects of Drunk Driving Crashes
Drunk driving accidents can result in several severe physical injuries that can have adverse physical effects. The following are some of the serious injuries people suffer in drunk driving accidents;
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Limb injuries
- Internal injuries
- Facial disfigurements
People who suffer head and brain injuries often experience long-term effects. Long-term effects of head and brain injuries may include memory loss, fatigue, paralysis, seizures, balance problems, and headaches. A head or brain injury can make it impossible for someone to perform basic actions, such as walking or talking. On the other hand, if a person suffers an injury to the neck, legs, chest, spine, knees, or any other body part, they may experience chronic pain for a long time.
The Psychological Effects of Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents can have profound psychological effects on victims or their families. One of the most common psychological effects of drunk driving accidents is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD after a drunk driving accident can be marked by nightmares, flashbacks of the accident, severe anxiety, trouble sleeping, concentration issues, and irritability. People who develop PTSD after a drunk driving accident tend to avoid places or activities that remind them of the accident. For example, someone might avoid driving a car. Unfortunately, PTSD can affect a person’s daily life.
Second, survivors of drunk driving accidents may experience survivor’s guilt even when they did not do anything wrong. Survivor’s guilt is a condition where someone experiences persistent emotional and mental stress because of surviving an accident, yet someone else died in the same accident.
Third, it is common for victims and their families to feel anger towards the drunk driver who caused the accident. They may experience violent thoughts, which might result in them doing things that they would not normally do. Victims and their families may also feel angry towards themselves.
Lastly, surviving loved ones may go through different stages of grief after losing someone in a drunk driving accident. They may also feel unmotivated and lonely.
These are just a few of the physical and emotional effects of drunk driving accidents. The physical and emotional toll drunk driving accidents take on people’s lives is substantial. Fortunately, victims and their families can seek help from professionals, such as therapists. Additionally, legal help is available for victims of drunk driving accidents and their families.
Legal Help Is Available
If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving accident in Florida, contact our qualified Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents the Ocala, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Naples, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Melbourne areas.
Source:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
