Can You Get PTSD From a Car Accident?

A car accident can leave you with many different emotions — you might feel shocked, angry, or stressed about the future. But many accident victims also have PTSD.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD stands for post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), PTSD is a mental disorder. People can develop PTSD after a scary, dangerous, or shocking life event.

Fear and other intense emotions are natural after any type of trauma. However, those with PTSD continue to feel stress and fear long after the event.

PTSD can take months or years to develop. It can become severe enough to affect work and personal relationships.

What Are Some Signs of PTSD After a Car Accident?

PTSD after a car accident begins to affect everyday life. It’s not just feeling stressed or scared after the crash. Your thoughts and actions start to change.

Common feelings related to PTSD include:

Anxiety about driving or getting into cars
Chronic feelings of uneasiness
Extreme anger, worry, or annoyance
Sleeping issues or nightmares
Feeling disconnected from other people or life
Fearing medical procedures or routine tests
Uncontrollable flashbacks from the car accident

There are four types of PTSD symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic. Doctors will look at each set of symptoms to diagnose PTSD. Someone with PTSD will have one or more symptoms from each group for at least a month.

Re-experiencing Symptoms

Thoughts and feelings can cause someone to re-experience a car accident. Situations, words, and objects can also trigger symptoms, which can impact everyday living.

Re-experiencing symptoms include:

Flashbacks to the trauma of the car accident
Scary thoughts
Bad dreams

Avoidance Symptoms

Someone with PTSD might change their daily routine because of avoidance symptoms. Certain things might remind the person of the car accident. To avoid triggers, they will:

Avoid feelings or thoughts related to the accident
Stay away from objects, areas, or events that make them think about the accident

Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms

Someone might feel constantly aroused by emotions. Intense emotions can affect sleep, concentration, and daily tasks.

Arousal or reactivity symptoms include:

Feeling tense
Startling easily
Having angry outbursts
Not being able to sleep

Cognition and Mood Symptoms

A person with PTSD might feel disconnected from other people. They can experience negative moods and thoughts. These symptoms can worsen after the accident.

Examples of cognition and mood symptoms include:

Thinking negatively about themselves or the world
Losing interest in things they used to enjoy
Trouble remembering essential details of the accident
Feeling irrational blame or guilt

Anyone could have the above signs after a car accident. However, symptoms that last more than a month could be PTSD. If you think you could have PTSD, talk to a mental health professional.

The symptoms must also be from the accident. They are not from illness, substance abuse, or something other than the collision. However, someone with PTSD can have other disorders or struggle with substance abuse.

PTSD Car Accident Risk Factors

The following could make someone more prone to PTSD after an accident:

Having another mental disorder like anxiety or depression
A history of another traumatic event
If the car accident was life-threatening
If someone else was injured or died in the accident
Being a first responder
Lack of support after the accident

How Long Does PTSD Last After a Car Accident?

Many people recover from PTSD within six months. But for some, it can take a lot longer. Chronic PTSD can impact someone’s life for years.

Treatments for PTSD include:

Talk therapy
Medication
A combination of therapy and medication

Everyone is different. Your treatment will depend on your situation. Talk to your mental health provider, as they will know what’s best. You might need to try different treatments to find what works for you.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for PTSD After an Accident?

If you have PTSD after a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation. It will depend on who was at fault.

If another party caused your accident, they are responsible for your injury damages. You can file a personal injury claim with their insurance company.

Emotional Damages From a Car Accident

To have a valid claim, you must have a physical injury. If you have physical injuries, you can also claim “emotional injuries.” These are non-economic damages like PTSD, pain, and suffering.

Your compensation will depend on your damages. Damages are the costs or losses from the accident. If the accident caused your PTSD, you could claim the following:

Medication expenses for PTSD
Counseling costs
Inpatient care
Mental health therapies

Your claim can also include lost wages, vehicle repairs, and medical costs for other injuries. Talk to an experienced lawyer today to know your options.

PTSD is not a visible injury like physical wounds. However, it is every bit as real. You deserve compensation for how the disorder has impacted your life. If someone else caused your car accident, it’s essential to know your rights.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer for Free Today

If you have PTSD from a car accident, John Foy & Associates can help. We have been helping car accident victims for over 20 years. We know how to build a strong insurance claim for your compensation.

Our lawyers do not charge a fee unless we win your case. You can get legal help immediately without upfront costs. That means you don’t pay unless we win you money.

What Is PTSD?