While most people think of PTSD as an after effect of being involved in war or a violent attack, it is incredibly common for car accident victims to experience it. Physical injuries are more noticeable after a car accident, but you should not ignore the psychological impact a serious crash can have on you or a loved one. Sometimes, psychological injuries stemming from a car accident persist long after physical injuries have healed.
If you or a loved one may have suffered PTSD after an accident, contact the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that some people experience after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Some people who experience a traumatic event continue to experience severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. well after the threat of the trauma is over
Why Would Someone Suffer PTSD After an Accident?
Car accidents and other types of personal injuries can be traumatizing events. You may have feared for your life or safety. As such, your brain may have been adversely affected by the psychological trauma. You may continue to relive the moments leading up to the accident and have difficulty getting past this horrific time in your life.
Symptoms of PTSD
PTSD symptoms vary in each case, but some of the more common symptoms that those suffering with PTSD report include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic attacks
- Guilt
- Differences in their libido
- Emotional numbness
- Avoidance of people or things that remind them of the event
- Irritability
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Nausea
- Problems remembering or concentrating
To be diagnosed with PTSD, these symptoms must persist for more than a month after the traumatizing event and seriously affect the person’s social and professional life.
Financial Compensation for PTSD After an Accident
In addition to other potential damages you can recover as part of your personal injury claim, you may be able to receive compensation directly related to the PTSD for damages such as:
- Counseling bills
- Alternative transportation costs if you are too scared to get back into a vehicle
- Supportive therapy services
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma
- Decreased enjoyment of life
Our dedicated legal team can work with your medical providers, compile information about how the accident has adversely affected your life, and work diligently to secure compensation for all of your damages, including those related to your physical and psychological injuries.
An Experienced PTSD Accident Attorney from Our Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one was involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence that you suspect resulted in PTSD, the Oklahoma Injury Law Firm can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.