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Abstract
The scale and spread of disasters is discussed. Specific issues concerning small, local disasters, such as motor vehicle accidents, are highlighted. Subsequent to this implications for detection and assessment by legal and health professionals of those at risk of developing psychological stress reactions are discussed. Society's peculiar tolerance of emotional trauma resulting from road accidents and the iatrogenic possibilities of medico‐legal assessments are debated, leading to the conclusion that much treatable post‐road‐accident anxiety remains untreated and that there is inadequate psychological preparation of sufferers for the invasive medico‐legal procedures they often undergo. However, there are steps that can be taken to improve the situation including ensuring effective communication between professional and client specifically preparing the client for the “invasive” procedures about to be experienced and treating treatable dysfunction as soon as possible.