Experiences With PTSD After An Auto Accident

If you’ve ever heard of PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, you might imagine combat soldiers returning from war, and with good reason.

PTSD is a condition that debilitates a person’s mental health after they have gone through a traumatic or extreme event. The horrors of war can cause someone to experience the mental or physical symptoms of PTSD.

However, the leading cause of PTSD in the US is much more everyday and could happen to any one of us: auto accidents.

In 2018, it was estimated that there were around 6 million auto accidents in the US, which led to 36,560 deaths. But if you have PTSD from a car accident, how would you know?

Signs of PTSD

Everyone experiences trauma differently, and even less severe accidents can trigger PTSD. Even if the accident wasn’t fatal, you can still experience ongoing symptoms.

Some symptoms to look out for include: 

• Difficulty sleeping or having nightmares
• Experiencing flashbacks which may lead to anxiety or panic attacks
• Intrusive and uncomfortable thoughts about the accident that feel out of your control
• Sweating, nausea, or an increased heart rate when you’re reminded about the accident
• Avoiding actions that are connected to the event – such as driving at night or taking the highway
• Symptoms of depression, such as decreased enjoyment of pleasurable activities, irritability, or mood swings

While physical injuries will typically become apparent either at the accident site or relatively quickly afterward, PTSD may take weeks or months to diagnose. 

It’s also not rare for PTSD to occur when you’re ‘triggered’ by an event that reminds you of the auto accident.

Can I Get Compensated for My PTSD?

While the individual details of each vehicle accident case are unique, if you experienced a no-fault auto accident and ultimately suffer from PTSD, you may be able to claim compensation for:

• Medical bills, including bills for any treatment, counseling, or therapy
• Loss of earnings or future wages if you cannot go back to work
• Ongoing pain and suffering as a result of the car accident

The best way to discover if you are eligible for compensation for your PTSD is to reach out to us today. At Duncan Firm, we welcome the chance to help you during this difficult time, and can advise you of the best course of action available.

Your initial consultation is free of charge and without obligation – and if you are limited in your ability to travel, we’ll even come to you! So if you need a car accident lawyer in Little Rock, New York City, or Los Angeles, please call 877-638-6226 or contact us online today.