When you are in a motor vehicle accident, it is a traumatic event that can cause more than just physical pain from your injuries. Car accident survivors often develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after car accidents. This can occur whether they have serious injuries or only suffer minor scrapes and bruises.
Developing PTSD after a car crash is common, especially when it is a traumatic accident. Your mental health is important, and it is important to seek prompt PTSD treatment. The King Law Firm is a reputable personal injury law firm that specializes in car accident cases. We understand this traumatic incident may have left you with post-traumatic stress disorder, and we encourage you to get the help you need. In this informative blog post, we discuss the common symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and how you can seek compensation for it in your car accident case.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that tends to occur after a highly traumatic event. MVA-related PTSD occurs after car accidents, where many car accident victims become affected by the intense and disturbing thoughts brought on after a motor vehicle collision.
PTSD after a car accident won’t go away on its own. It will require treatment, much like the physical injuries from the auto accident. A traumatic life event such as a car accident can lead to mental trauma that impacts your everyday life in many ways. It is imperative that you work through the recovery process with a medical professional to move forward.
Four PTSD Symptoms That Arise from Motor Vehicle Accidents
It is normal to experience depression or increased anxiety after a car accident, especially if family members or other loved ones do not survive. However, there is a difference between a major depressive episode, severe anxiety, and PTSD.
PTSD can be treated, but it is important to recognize the signs. If you’re not sure whether or not you have PTSD after a car crash, you should get an evaluation so you can begin prompt treatment. These four symptoms of PTSD affect many victims after a serious car accident:
1. Accident Avoidance
You may avoid certain places or people that serve as a trauma reminder to avoid experiencing emotional symptoms. Victims who experience trauma in this way may avoid driving past the road or intersection where the crash occurred or distance themselves from others who were in the car at the time of the accident.
2. Intrusive Memories
After a car accident, it may not take much to trigger flashbacks or experience traumatic memories of what happened. Cognitive therapy can do wonders for those who need help changing their thought patterns while exposure therapy can help them confront the cause of their mental health issues.
3. Changes in Behavior
Self-destructive behaviors and other changes such as hopelessness are common with this form of emotional trauma. You may blame others for the accident or even blame yourself. Fortunately, you can treat PTSD with anti-anxiety medications, supportive therapy, and other psychological treatments.
4. Sleep Disturbances
Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of problems with sleep. This is one of the most common symptoms of PTSD but many people have difficulty distinguishing it from stress-induced insomnia. Additionally, constant sleep problems can impact concentration, according to empirical findings and clinical observations.Â
Seeking Therapy Is Important If You Experience PTSD Symptoms
PTSD was once thought to only be experienced by those in the military. It is now clear that the general population is at increased risk of it after an accident. While it tends to happen with a physical injury, physical wounds do not need to be present for someone to have this mental condition.
Even though PTSD is not something you can see like lacerations or other injuries, you need to get treated to move past this experience. The good news is that treatments are often successful and a clinician will be able to find the best one for you. Medications, eye movement desensitization, and group therapy are possibilities for treatment.
In particular, a support group may benefit you in addition to other treatments. You can talk with those who have been in similar accidents and feel less alone in your struggles.
Legal Considerations for Accident Victims with PTSD
When you suffer from PTSD, it could last for months or years. Getting treatment for it is just as important as being treated for the physical wounds that you sustained in the crash. You may have injuries that caused a permanent disability but even if you fully recover from an injury, PTSD can still affect your life.
You should also be aware that you could have only one of the listed symptoms, such as nightmares or flashbacks. The number of symptoms you have does not matter. You can still pursue damages for PTSD just as you would for other injuries. The biggest concern is proving PTSD happened as a result of the accident.
It is highly advisable that you keep all your medical records for the treatment of your injuries, including treatment for PTSD. Starting a journal can also help show your mental state and how PTSD affects your life on a regular basis. The best way to receive compensation for PTSD after an accident is to obtain legal representation. With an attorney, you will have someone who fully understands the legal process.
Additionally, an attorney will ensure you have all the evidence you need to seek damages for PTSD. They can use their resources to bring in expert witnesses for medical testimony or to reconstruct the accident.
You owe it to yourself to get the treatment you need for your mental health. Hiring a car accident lawyer experienced in representing victims with PTSD ensures you have someone advocating for you while you get the help you need. Contact The King Law Firm to discuss your case with a compassionate attorney.