If you are reading this, chances are good that you have been badly injured or even left disfigured as a result of a car accident in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California.
Contrary to the popular belief, just because you have not broken or fractured a single bone in your body does not necessarily mean that you are “lucky.” Yes, you are lucky to be alive, but even the slightest damage to the skin – such as scars, lacerations, burns, and disfigurement – can have a negative physical, psychological, and emotional impact.
“Unfortunately, bad faith insurance companies and dishonest at-fault drivers tend to believe that you do not deserve an adequate settlement amount for your personal injury if your injury consists of scars, lacerations, burns, or disfigurement,” says our disfigurement lawyer in Los Angeles at Law Offices of Howard Kornberg.
The physical impact of scars after a car accident
But those who know what it’s like to live with scars or disfigurement know that scars can have both physical and psychological effects. Our car accident lawyer in California explains that the effect of scars and disfigurement goes well beyond such physical problems as pain, itching, and tenderness.
In some cases, scars can continue to grow and turn into keloids and hypertrophic scars, which are typically red and raised scars that can limit movement and be functionally disabling to the sufferer. The most abnormal and serious scars can take years or even decades to fade away, while others remain visible for the rest of the victim’s life.
Emotional and psychological effects of scars and disfigurement
But the psychological and emotional effects of scars and disfigurement outweigh the physical impact. First and foremost, any scar, laceration, or burn injury is a reminder of a car accident or other traumatic event. For most car accident victims, it is painful to remember what happened to them in the crash.
Because these scars are constant reminders of the traumatic event, it is not uncommon for car accident victims with scars to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression after the car crash, all because the scars serve as a constant reminder and make the person “relive” the traumatic event over and over again.
These traumatizing memories can result in emotional anguish, distress, poor self-esteem and self-esteem, and, as a result, negatively affect the victim’s quality of life, largely due to isolating himself/herself from social activities and avoiding social interactions.
As any car accident victim with scars in visible areas of his/her body knows, the reaction of other people to scars and their questions about the scars make the victim feel different, abnormal, and “weird.” This is especially true for children, teenagers, and young adults, who rely on their physical appearance. If a child, teenager, or young adult feels singled out, it can have a negative psychological impact and diminish their self-esteem and self-image.
The severe psychological and emotional impact of scars after car accidents
The psychological and emotional effect of scars and disfigurement after a car accident is not something that can be easily evaluated and translated into a dollar value. After all, only the victim knows how he or she feels and how the injury has affected his/her psychological and emotional health.
Given that the psychological and emotional impact of scars is such a subjective element of any personal injury claim, it is highly advised to consult with an experienced disfigurement attorney in Los Angeles or elsewhere in California.
For individuals who have been disfigured or have scars in a visible location, particularly on the face, the emotional and psychological impact is even more severe, as looking in the mirror or being asked about the scars will have a negative impact on the individual’s sense of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-image.
Many of our clients fear that insurance companies and the other party involved in the car accident will call them “vain” or accuse them of exaggerating the severity of the impact of scars or disfigurement. Do not listen to them. They have no idea what they are talking about. We do. We can help you seek bigger compensation by properly evaluating your losses and damages caused by scars and disfigurements. Let our best car accident lawyers in Los Angeles at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg help you. Contact our offices at 310-997-0904 today.
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