Most people understand that a car accident can cause the victims to suffer serious physical injuries that can result in being unable to work and perform day-to-day activities. However, some may not realize the psychological injuries caused by being involved in a terrifying wreck—unless it happens to them. One very debilitating injury that victims can suffer is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a frightening, dangerous, or life-threatening event. This is a common disorder that soldiers experience after returning home from war. However, other traumatic incidents can cause a person to experience PTSD.
Being involved in an auto crash is a leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder, and a victim can experience symptoms of this disorder even if he did not suffer any injuries in the wreck. PTSD can cause a person to be unable to turn off his fight-or-flight reactions to a dangerous situation when going about day-to-day activities and cause a complete disruption of normal life.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
The symptoms that a person suffering from PTSD will experience will vary. This can make it harder to identify when a person is experiencing PTSD and to treat the problem properly. Common symptoms include:
- Reliving the incident through flashbacks, nightmares, and memories
- Keeping an emotional distance from family, friends, and the world
- Feeling depressed or hopeless
- Being unable to experience emotions
- Avoiding people, places, and other circumstances associated with the accident
- Experiencing emotional outbursts
- Feeling extreme anxiety
- Blaming oneself for the accident
- Having difficulty sleeping and experiencing fatigue
- Experiencing problems with memory
- Experiencing difficulties concentrating
- Becoming over-vigilant even in non-threatening situations
Your Right to Compensation for PTSD Injuries
People living with PTSD may require long-term counseling, medications, and other treatments. You miss work for weeks, months, or longer while you recover from your injuries. You may have to try different treatment options before you discover one that helps with your condition. Unfortunately, PTSD could cause you to become permanently disabled.
You may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver for your medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering that you are experiencing. However, it can be challenging to prove your right to compensation if you suffer from PTSD due to a car accident since your injuries are psychological. You will need the help of an experienced car accident attorney to obtain the compensation that you deserve. To learn about your legal options and how our car accident legal team can help, call our Norfolk office today to schedule your free consultation.
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