A car crash is a traumatic experience, causing not only physical injuries but also various mental health issues. The team of Houston auto accident lawyers at our law firm has helped many clients who suffered from PTSD after a car crash.
It is a lesser-known and discussed aspect of being injured in a traffic collision and we believe that it needs more attention, because many victims suffer in silence.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severely disabling psychiatric condition triggered by being involved in or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD patients often have recurring nightmares, relive the traumatic event vividly, and develop anxiety.
Doctors have proven that car accidents can trigger PTSD in any person. Even if the victim suffered average physical injuries, the effect on their state of mind can be catastrophic. Some people cannot even bear to get into a car or experience every drive as a highly stressful event, requiring their entire self-possession to go through with it.
How Long Does PTSD After a Car Accident Last?
Each person responds differently to trauma. Some people manage to put the event behind them in a few weeks or months. Others still experience PTSD symptoms years after the car accident.
A key factor in recovering after PTSD is how soon you start therapy and if you find a good doctor. It is important to get help from a therapist if you want to regain control over your life. And, with the help of an experienced Houston car accident attorney, you will be able to recover the costs with therapy in your car accident claim settlement.
The Most Common Symptoms of PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder can manifest itself in a wide range of symptoms, some of them milder and easier to manage, others extremely debilitating. Most of the patients usually experience:
- Intrusive thoughts and feelings
- Anger
- Flashbacks of the accident
- Anxiety and depression
- Disturbed sleep
- Inability to focus
- Hyper-vigilance
- Suicidal thoughts
- Avoidance of any situation involving traveling in a car.
PTSD victims become increasingly isolated from family and friends. Also, their performance at work may also decrease, ultimately leading to losing their job.
Effective Treatments for PTSD
PTSD patients may undergo one or several therapies, depending on their specific case. The following are the most effective treatments used by specialists at the present.
- Cognitive therapy – recognizing patterns that prevent the patient from putting the accident behind them.
- Exposure therapy – facing the traumatic memories of the accident in a safe manner.
- Medications – your doctor may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and sleeping aids.
- Animal therapy – getting a specially trained service animal (usually a dog) can help PTSD victims get out of a negative train of thought or other bad situations.
Seeking Compensation for PTSD After a Car Crash
An experienced attorney will need to prove that the car accident caused your injuries and PTSD. In order to do so, the lawyer will rely on:
- Medical reports issued by the doctors who are treating you
- Testimonies from family members and friends who can attest to your changed emotional state
- Expert witnesses who work with PTSD patients.
This type of evidence is often used in proving emotional trauma and mental anguish caused by a car crash and is also acceptable in court if you need to file a lawsuit.
All personal injury victims deserve compensation both for their actual economic damages, but also for pain and suffering. Thus, your attorney will seek damages for:
- Medical bills, including PTSD therapy costs
- Lost wages and loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress.
Talk to an Experienced Houston Car Accident Lawyer!
PTSD does not show any visible injury, but it affects your everyday life. If you developed this condition after being involved in a car crash, an experienced attorney at our law firm will help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
Do not wait too long after the crash to protect your rights. Call our experienced Houston car accident lawyers today at 346-220-1821 and schedule a free case review!