What Is Vehophobia?
Vehophobia is an intense fear of driving that results in extreme anxiety and an intense physical response. This condition can severely limit your freedoms and may be triggered by a traumatic driving experience in Denver, CO. However, if your vehophobia was caused by another driver, you may have legal recourse for holding them accountable.
How Vehophobia Can Affect Your Life
Individuals suffering from vehophobia often avoid driving places. This may result in them choosing to take mass transportation or rideshares to get around. They may also choose not to go anywhere altogether.
While both of these options can provide a way around driving, they can affect all areas of an individual’s life, especially their social life. As such, vehophobia can significantly impact an individual’s life.
Common Causes of Vehophobia
Vehophobia can develop from a variety of circumstances. Some may be due to a traumatic event, such as being in a car accident or witnessing an accident occur.
Other times, vehophobia stems from other fears an individual may have that interfere with their comfort of being behind the wheel. According to Medical News Today, this phobia can be brought on by a number of causes, which may include:
- Anxiety
- Negative associations with cars due to past experiences
- Claustrophobia
- Fear of being unable to maintain control of a vehicle if anxiety symptoms are present
- Fear of driving at night, alone, having a vehicle breakdown, or getting lost
- Fear of suffering a fatal accident
- Being the victim or witness of a car accident
While each of these fears may affect individuals differently, they all can result in an overpowering fear that can make an individual choose to avoid driving. Some individuals may also experience a greater degree of anxiety than others, so understanding the root of the fear can be the first step toward treating the condition.
Physical Symptoms of Vehophobia
While the aftermath of a car accident can easily cause an emotional response and include depression symptoms, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, similar mental and emotional distress can manifest itself physically in individuals with vehophobia.
The biggest difference, though, is that it is only associated with driving a vehicle. Vehophobia symptoms are often intense and may render the individual unable to safely operate a vehicle. Some symptoms of vehophobia include:
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
While these symptoms can feel all-consuming, therapy can be a helpful avenue to process your fear and gain tools and strategies to help you cope and overcome the fear you are suffering from. Taking alternative forms of transportation can also help minimize the anxiety without limiting your freedom.
Car Accidents and Vehophobia
If the onset of your vehophobia was caused by a car accident, you may be able to recover compensation by pursuing a claim against the driver who was responsible. First, you must demonstrate that the negligent driver’s actions were the direct cause of your condition.
If the other party is found liable for your condition, they must provide damages as restitution for their liability. To do this, you should consult a lawyer to verify your right to take legal action and what your options are based on your situation.
Reclaiming Your Life After Vehophobia
While vehophobia can be difficult and seriously impact the quality of your life, it does not have to ruin your life. You can take back your future with the right treatment and the assistance of a car accident lawyer. Healing from the trauma you have experienced starts with taking these first steps, a solid support system, and recovering the resources you need for your care after an accident.
Contact our Denver Car Accident Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver car accident lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, and proudly serve all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
Find us with our Geocoordinates: 39.75208145814397, -105.00017355026108
About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
Location: Denver, CO
