Can You Get PTSD From a Car Accident?

Can You Get PTSD From a Car Accident?

Car Accident Info

Research indicates that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the general population. Given the unpredictable nature of a car accident, it’s normal to experience feelings of confusion, grief, fear, shock, and helplessness in the immediate aftermath. However, many accident victims develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress that become chronic– lasting for months or even years after the incident.

PTSD common in trauma survivors

PTSD is a disabling anxiety disorder that can impact a victim’s life. Just like broken bones, or other physical injuries, PTSD can undermine one’s enjoyment of everyday life. Some people are so affected by disturbing flashbacks and negative thought patterns that they cannot work or participate in social activities with friends and family.

The emotional anguish of PTSD is real, and victims are entitled to seek compensation against negligent parties for their pain and suffering. If this has happened to you, talk to a car accident lawyer from our firm about including this disorder in a claim for damages.

About Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Anecdotal evidence suggests that people who develop PTSD after a motor vehicle crash usually do so within one to six months. Symptoms may be slow to manifest but can include the following:

Recurring nightmares of the accident
Intrusive flashbacks
Auditory or visual memories that disrupt sleep patterns
Social isolation
Emotional numbing
Avoiding situations out of fear and guilt
Hyper-arousal causing increased heart rate and sweating
Depression
Ongoing general anxiety
Suicidal thoughts
Mood swings

Claiming damages for PTSD from a car accident

Post-traumatic stress symptoms are the body’s natural coping mechanism. A Rutter Mills car accident attorney will have the knowledge and resources to build a compelling argument demonstrating your symptoms’ extent.

This often entails working with expert witnesses who can support the diagnosis and provide compelling testimony on how the disorder was diagnosed and its ramifications on your life. Licensed therapists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals are in a position to quantify the monetary damages arising from PTSD, thereby increasing the value of a car accident claim.

Compensation may include:

Associated medical expenses for PTSD treatment
Lost wages and lost earning potential
Mental anguish and emotional suffering

Legal help for car accident victims with PTSD

A 2019 study on 300 car accident survivors found that nearly half developed PTSD. Over 70 percent of study participants reported difficulties at work and school, while 51 percent experienced severe problems with social functioning.

Cognitive and behavioral therapy, medication, and counseling can provide victims with the skills needed to cope with and lessen the impact of PTSD.

Contact us for a free consultation

The Virginia car accident lawyers of Rutter Mills understand the severity of psychological trauma after motor vehicle collisions. Our legal team has decades of experience representing accident victims in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Suffolk. Protect your rights by calling today to schedule a free consultation.

Contact a Rutter Mills attorney to speak about your case today.

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After her car accident, Larena asked her father, a local stevedore, for his advice on who to call. He recommended Rutter Mills. Her team of car accident experts at Rutter Mills fought back when the insurance companies tried to deny her the money she needed to recuperate from her injuries. We took her case to trial – and won. When the insurance company filed their appeals, we beat them again – two more times! Larena got the money she needed and the justice she deserved.

We’re going to immediately call Rutter Mills. That’s the people I trust with my baby girl.

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They lifted allot of stress off my shoulders. I recommend them to anybody because they WILL fight for you.

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After John was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, he turned to the person he trusts most for a recommendation. His wife, a paralegal of 30 years, told him to call Rutter Mills on the advice of the lawyer she worked for.

They really care for you as a person. Words cannot describe what Rutter Mills did for me and for my case.

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When the insurance company tried to get Carol to sign paperwork after her car accident, she knew she needed a lawyer. Carol knew she needed Rutter Mills.

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Taryn was in a car accident while she was pregnant. She knew she needed someone in her corner to protect her rights and her family’s future.

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A devasting accident changed Levon’s life forever. The physical and emotional toll left him scared and in pain. When the insurance company for the defendant contacted the family, they made an offer that did not even cover the cost of the medication, much less doctors’ bills, and physical therapy. They knew they needed to talk to a serious lawyer. Rutter Mills took care of the negotiation so Levon could focus on healing.

When you’ve got a serious injury, you need a serious lawyer. That’s why we chose Rutter Mills.

Motorcycle Accidents Change Everything

When Ed was injured in a motorcycle crash, he knew he needed a serious lawyer to protect his rights. The insurance companies were fighting him every step of the way. Rutter Mills helped prove Ed’s case and get him the money he needed to get on the road to recovery.

With the seriousness of the accident, I knew that we needed a serious lawyer. I needed Rutter Mills.

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They knew they needed a serious lawyer when Carol and her son were seriously injured. After the other party’s insurance company tried to get her to settle for less than she needed, Carol called Rutter Mills for help. We took on the insurance company so she could focus on healing.