Can PTSD Be Caused by a Car Accident?

Ignoring worrying signs and changes in your emotional state can affect your life for years to come.

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be more complicated than you expected. Besides suffering from property damage or personal injuries, you might be affected emotionally and mentally by such trauma. Many car accident victims have PTSD, a condition previously thought of being an exclusively military problem.

The problem with PTSD is that its symptoms generally don’t appear right away. So, can you link it to your car accident and collect benefits?

What Is PTSD?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder triggered by a traumatic event that endangered the victim, putting them at risk of death or catastrophic injury. Symptoms of PTSD after such an event include:

Re-living the event over and over
Avoiding triggers or situations that might be similar to the event
Emotional numbness and unresponsiveness
Physical manifestations like insomnia, irritability, mood changes, and so on

It’s easy to understand how PTSD can dramatically affect one’s quality of life since it can be hard to control, and it’s so intense in its manifestations. It can also be hard to diagnose, especially if the victim needs some time to acknowledge the symptoms and connect them to the car accident.

Is It Difficult to Include PTSD in Your Car Accident Claim?

If you need compensation for your PTSD following a car accident, it’s crucial to provide evidence to support the diagnosis and its connection to the car accident.

You should mention any emotional distress to the doctor you will see after the accident and follow their recommendation if they refer you to a specialist. Describe your symptoms to your doctors in detail and avoid exaggerating them or making them seem less than they are.

Keeping a diary of your PTSD episodes is also very helpful, as it will prove how your life has been affected by the car accident. Avoid being too subjective in your diary entries and describe the signs you feel with accuracy.

Based on such evidence, your St. Louis car accident attorney can make a case that your quality of life has been greatly diminished by PTSD and the other damages you have suffered. It might be included in the “pain and suffering” category or treated separately. What’s important to remember is that mental health is crucial and should undoubtedly be addressed by any victim. Ignoring worrying signs and changes in your emotional state can affect your life for years to come.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensated for Your PTSD

To ensure your claim will bring you fair compensation, speak with an experienced car accident lawyer who has dealt with PTSD cases before. They can guide you and build a strong case to support your claim, and you can start putting the ordeal behind you.