Can You Get PTSD from a Car Accident?

If you’re wondering, “can you get PTSD from a car accident?”—the answer is yes. Motor vehicle accident post-traumatic stress disorder (MVA-related PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing trauma, like serious road traffic accidents. Not everyone will develop it, but recognizing the signs early and seeking help is important.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by someone else’s negligence and are suffering from PTSD, the experienced car accident attorneys at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, are here to help.

Can You Get PTSD from a Car Accident? More Insights From Andrew Kryder, Esq.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing some kind of traumatic event. This serious mental trauma, producing emotional symptoms, can include an auto accident, military combat, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or sexual violence. For some people, the trauma may be ongoing (such as in cases of child abuse).

How Large Is the Problem in the U.S.?

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, most people who experience a traumatic accident or event have little likelihood of developing PTSD. It is estimated that about 6% of Americans will suffer from the disorder at some point in their lives.

How Soon After Motor Vehicle Accidents Can Victims Experience PTSD?

A mental health professional may diagnose car accident PTSD symptoms within a few weeks or months after serious injuries or a traumatic incident.

How Is PTSD Diagnosed After a Traumatic Event like a Car Crash?

PTSD is diagnosed by mental health professionals who conduct in-depth interviews and assessments, focusing on specific criteria defined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

5 Common Symptoms of PTSD After a Car Accident

According to Mayo Clinic, five common symptoms of PTSD after a car accident include:

1. Flashbacks and Nightmares

A hallmark PTSD symptom following a car accident is recurring nightmares and flashbacks, even when awake, causing victims to repeatedly experience the emotional trauma.

2. Avoidance Behavior

PTSD sufferers often try to avoid anything that reminds them of their traumatic experience. In the case of car crashes, many car accident victims experiencing PTSD may avoid driving, riding in a car, or even discussing the incident.

3. Hyperarousal

Hyperarousal in PTSD is a constant state of anxiety and edginess. It’s a heightened sense of danger after an accident, causing irritability, concentration difficulties, and an increased startle response.

4. Emotional Numbing

Emotional numbing, a prevalent PTSD symptom, leaves individuals disconnected from their feelings, reducing pleasure, inducing hopelessness, and adversely affecting personal relationships.

5. Anxiety and Depression

PTSD can disrupt daily life and create anxiety and depression, resulting in constant edginess, panic attacks, sleep disturbances (preventing a good night’s sleep), a looming sense of doom, sadness, hopelessness, intrusive thoughts, and a dwindling interest in activities once enjoyed.

What Treatment Options Are Available for PTSD?

Once a physician reviews your mental health, they will recommend various therapies to help your healing process, including:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Cognitive processing therapy
• Prolonged exposure therapy
• Stress inoculation training
• Group therapy
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Apart from these cognitive therapy treatments, your doctor or therapist may also give you a prescription to manage some symptoms. For example, anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed, depending on the severity of your condition.

Coping with PTSD After a Car Accident

While it’s impossible to erase the traumatic memories or experience of a car accident, there are ways to cope with PTSD and manage its symptoms.

Some helpful coping strategies following psychological trauma include:

• Therapy—seek professional help from a therapist who can help with appropriate psychological treatments.
• Manage PTSD triggers—recognize and avoid situations, places, or people that cause flashbacks or anxiety.
• Join a support group—connecting with others with similar experiences can help in managing PTSD.
• Relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can reduce anxiety and promote calmness.
• Stay healthy—exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep are key to managing PTSD symptoms.
• Contact a car accident attorney—if your PTSD is caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation.

Can I Seek Compensation for PTSD After a Car Accident?

When you develop PTSD after a motor vehicle accident, it can make your life less enjoyable and affect your relationships. It can also interfere with your concentration and productivity. Filing a claim for damages for a personal injury when your accident was caused by the negligence of someone else can compensate you for the impact on your mental health.

What Proof Does My Car Accident Attorney Need?

To prove someone else was responsible for the crash, you can use evidence such as photos of vehicle damage, images of your injuries, police reports, and witness testimonies.

Once liability is proven, you must demonstrate that the event caused your PTSD. This can be supported with medical reports and receipts for treatment.

Contact The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, for Help

Our law firm The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, is committed to ensuring you get the compensation you deserve to aid your recovery process after a serious car accident. Our experienced team understands the emotional distress that comes with PTSD after a car accident, and we work tirelessly on your behalf.

We believe that car accident survivors should not have to bear the financial burden of PTSD treatment and therapies for a condition they didn’t cause.

Call Us for Your Free Case Evaluation

During a free consultation, an experienced car accident attorney will review the specifics of your case to determine the viability of your claim. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we win your case or secure a settlement.