Content warning: This post contains things that may be triggering to people reading it. Read at your own discretion.
I've lived without a car for my entire adult life but have wanted to get a car of my own. I did, however, get into a car accident during the few times that I did drive though, and it only cost me money (a few thousand dollars) but no one else was affected. Unfortunately, when someone gets into a car accident, it can have repercussions on one's loved ones. Here is more on that from a reader.
When a car accident occurs, the immediate effects are felt most by the persons who were in the vehicles involved. Things such as physical pain and suffering, property damage, and the emotional distress that comes with being involved in such a traumatic event can take a toll on accident victims.
However, as time passes, these effects can have both direct and indirect impacts on the people close to you as well. This can strain relationships and leave victims feeling guilty and more lonely than ever.
Learn how a car accident can affect your loved ones so you are better prepared.
Car Problems
When an accident damages your car, getting it back on the road can take quite a while. The work to be done can take a couple of days and worse, you might not be in a position to pay the total cost.
As all this happens, your loved ones, such as school-going children, who relied on your car will have to find other means of transportation. Time will be wasted, people will run late to work, appointments will be missed, and so on.
Inability to Provide for Your Loved Ones
Car accident injuries such as neck pain and broken bones can take anywhere from days to months or years to heal. This also means you might have to take time off work to recover fully.
If you were the breadwinner, your loved ones are likely to bear the biggest financial burden. One of the ways to find a financial reprieve for your family while waiting for your settlement is to apply for a lawsuit loan.
Financial Difficulties
It’s nearly impossible to avoid running into financial difficulties after a car accident. You will likely face unforeseen expenses like medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and worse, you might be unable to work for some time.
This is going to affect your family’s financial wellbeing. You may have to adjust your overall lifestyle and make other decisions that will have future consequences.
The role of a Columbia accident lawyer is to restore your life to normal by ensuring you are fully compensated for all the ways the accident has affected your life.
Ongoing Care Can Overwhelm Your Loved Ones
Car accident injuries can range from minor skin lacerations to severely broken bones. For some, a brief medical evaluation and a prescription will do the work. However, other injuries require ongoing treatments and home caregiving.
When it comes to this, some families choose to hire a caregiver, while most are forced to take up this role. Either way, ongoing care can overwhelm your loved ones financially, physically, and emotionally.
Your Psychological Distress Can Affect Your Loved Ones Too
Just like any other traumatic event, a car accident can leave you battling with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks, and so on. These can translate to your loved ones, too.
For instance, depression can isolate you from people who care about you the most. It’s also normal for your loved ones to feel guilty and worry about some of the above effects, such as financial difficulties.
Losing a Provider In Case of a Fatality
Fatal motor vehicle crashes leave the survivors bearing most of the brunt and it’s worse if the deceased was the primary provider. Besides a provider, your family will lose a source of love, parental guidance, consortium, among others. While a settlement from a wrongful death claim can provide monetary compensation and cushion from financial difficulties, receiving a settlement can take months and even years and it still doesn't take away the pain, but at least the finances can be taken care of and grief help for the family can be arranged.