PTSD After A Florida Car Accident?
When people hear of traffic crashes, they immediately think of physical injuries. This is understandable. However, after a traffic collision, some people are left with emotional trauma. For example, it is quite common for car accident survivors to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In fact, it is believed that traffic accidents have become the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder since the Vietnam war. According to research, 9% of survivors of serious collisions develop significant post-traumatic stress symptoms, and many other survivors have PTSD-like reactions.
Defining PTSD
PTSD is a mental health condition. This condition occurs after someone experiences or witnesses a terrifying event. Many people assume that PTSD is a condition that only veterans deal with. Indeed, PTSD is common among veterans. However, anyone who has experienced or witnessed any terrifying event, such as a car accident, is at risk of developing PTSD. And regarding PTSD after a car accident, it is crucial to note that you can develop this mental condition even if you were in a minor crash.
Symptoms of PTSD
Usually, PTSD symptoms do not start immediately after a car accident. Symptoms of PTSD can take up to months after a car crash to appear.
Unfortunately, PTSD symptoms can interfere with your ability to engage in your normal daily tasks. Symptoms can also cause problems in your relationships and work or social situations.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of this mental condition;
- Flashbacks of the crash
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Always being on guard for danger
- Feelings of guilt or shame
- Hopelessness about the future
- Being easily startled
- Lack of interest in activities you enjoyed engaging in before your accident.
- Difficulty maintaining close relationships
- Negative thoughts about yourself and others
- Feeling emotionally numb
Treating PTSD
If you believe you have developed PTSD after your car accident, apart from talking to people you trust, it is vital that you seek medical attention. Like physical injuries, emotional injuries such as PTSD also require treatment. Seeing a physician promptly after noticing symptoms of PTSD can help you reduce the symptoms and the effects of the symptoms. For example, a doctor can prescribe medicine that can help reduce symptoms.
After seeking medical attention, remember to document your treatment. The documentation you keep can help you recover the compensation you deserve once you file a claim against the at-fault party.
Seeking Compensation for PTSD After a Car Accident
If you were seriously hurt in a car crash because of another party’s fault, you might be eligible to recover compensation for the medical expenses associated with your PTSD. You might also be eligible to recover compensation for the emotional distress and inconvenience your PTSD causes you.
Contact a Parkland Personal Injury Lawyer
If you sustained severe injuries in a traffic collision that was another party’s fault and you’ve noticed PTSD symptoms or symptoms of another mental health condition, seek immediate medical attention. After seeing a physician, do not hesitate to contact our Parkland personal injury lawyers at Lyons & Snyder. We can help you determine if you can file a claim against the at-fault party for your condition. If you are eligible to file a claim, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Source:
aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/1999/0801/p524.html#afp19990801p524-b10
