Can Car Accidents Cause PTSD?

The damages that are suffered by a victim of a car accident are often obvious. To be sure, when a car is totaled and a person is taken away by ambulance, there are few who would doubt that the individual will face property damage and vehicle loss expenses, medical expenses, and, likely, other expenses associated with the injury, such as lost wages.

While no one may disagree about the economic or physical effects of a car accident, disputes often arise with regards to the psychological effects of a crash. Indeed, while a car accident victim may claim to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of a crash, an insurance adjuster may try to invalidate this claim, refusing to offer compensation for it.

But PTSD after a car accident can be very real, and very limiting. Here’s what you should know about PTSD and car accidents, and your right to compensation for the full value of your

economic and noneconomic harm:

What Is PTSD?

As defined by the Mayo Clinic, PTSD is a mental health condition that is triggered by a traumatic and terrifying event. The condition can affect both those who experience the event themselves, as well as those who witness the event.

The symptoms of PTSD can vary on a case-by-case basis, but typically include night terrors, severe anxiety, flashbacks, and thoughts about the event that are pervasive and uncontrollable. A person may also develop negative thinking patterns, feelings of hopelessness, depression, suicidal thoughts, trouble sleeping, self-destructive behavior, aggression, and other complications.

PTSD After a Car Accident – Is That Real?

PTSD is most commonly associated with combat veterans; however, PTSD can affect anyone who has been involved in or witnessed a traumatic accident, including those who have been involved in car accidents. In fact, a 2007 study found that victims of severe car accidents are at an increased risk of developing psychological problems, particularly PTSD.

Those who have been involved in a motor vehicle accident that involved serious injury, threat of serious injury, or actual or threatened death often exhibit the following PTSD symptoms:

• Intrusive thoughts about the accident;
• Disturbing dreams;
• Refusal or reluctance to drive;
• Avoidance of thinking about the accident or engaging in activities associated with the accident;
• Lack of emotional responsiveness; and
• Increased irritability.

Treatment for PTSD can be very expensive and may be required for many months or years after the initial traumatic event. Treatment may include psychotherapy, counseling, group therapy, medication, other stress relief techniques, or a combination.

How PTSD After a Car Accident Can Affect Your Life

PTSD can have a number of effects on your life. In addition to living with the emotional pain of reliving the accident, dealing with depression and anxiety, and having nightmares will surely cause, PTSD sufferers also often lose close relationships, have difficulty in building close relationships, are prevented from engaging in activities they once enjoyed, and may even be unable to return to work and earn an income. The combined costs in the form of medical expenses and psychological services, lost wages, and diminished quality of life can total tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Don’t Let an Insurance Adjuster Deny You the Compensation You Deserve

If you are filing a claim for compensation after a car accident and are seeking damages for your psychological harm, including PTSD, and noneconomic losses associated with that harm, an insurance adjuster may be quick to doubt the severity of your pain, suffering, and emotional distress. In order to save an insurance company money, insurance adjusters may do anything possible to diminish the value of your claim, including gathering evidence against you that “proves” your PTSD isn’t as bad as you claim it is.

For this reason, it is not only important to be very careful about what you post online and to whom you speak, but also to hire a qualified personal injury lawyer who can advocate for you. This is especially true if you are pursing a claim in Alabama, where the state’s defendant-friendly contributory negligence legal standard presents a very high bar for plaintiffs to clear. Under contributory negligence, an injured party can be barred from recovering damages if they are found to be even 1% at-fault for the underlying incident that caused the injury.

Call Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you have been in a car accident, there is a strong chance that you have suffered compensable losses. Our lawyers will build your case, prove the extent of damages that you have incurred, and aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf. We believe that you deserve compensation for all of your economic and noneconomic losses.

You can schedule a free consultation with our law firm by calling us directly at 334-279-7770. You can also get in touch by sending us a message using the contact form, or by stopping by our Montgomery law office in person at your convenience.