Car accidents can be traumatic events, particularly if you suffered a devastating injury or you witnessed a serious accident that resulted in tragic fatalities. While the physical injuries often heal over time, the trauma from the accident can take a toll on your mental health. Depending on the nature and severity of the accident, you may experience anxiety, depression, insomnia, and recurring nightmares. In more extreme cases, you could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a mental health condition that people can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
According to the American Psychological Association, car accidents are the leading cause of PTSD, with the exception of members of the military who have been in combat. If you or a loved one is suffering from PTSD after a serious car accident, do not hesitate to contact an experienced car accident lawyer.
What Is PTSD?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur when an individual has either experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. The trauma often triggers a fight-or-flight response that can be helpful at the moment. However, when the brain is unable to turn off this adrenaline-fueled reaction, it can have devastating consequences on a person’s mental health. PTSD can have a devastating impact on a person’s mental health, making it difficult to hold down a job, maintain personal and professional relationships, and simply get through the day. PTSD affects between six and nine percent of the population and is more common among women.
What Are the Symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD can occur anywhere from three months to several years after a traumatic event, like a serious car accident. This is a potentially debilitating mental health disorder. If left untreated, symptoms can become more frequent, intense, and difficult to treat. In extreme cases, individuals who have extreme PTSD can become a danger to themselves and others or become suicidal. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms after a car accident, it is highly recommended that to consult with a mental health professional who can determine whether you have PTSD and recommend the appropriate treatment:
- Flashbacks
- Intrusive memories
- Nightmares
- Difficulty sleeping
- Mood swings
- Ongoing feelings of guilt or blame
- Feelings of social detachment or isolation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in life
- Feeling tense or constantly on edge
- Avoiding people, places, or circumstances associated with the accident
- Behavior changes, including constant irritability, paranoia, quick temper, and sleep disturbances
What Are the Treatment Options for PTSD?
Once a mental health professional has diagnosed PTSD, there are a range of treatment options available. In most cases, treatment for PTSD involves a combination of therapies, including the following:
- Psychotherapy: Mental health professionals often use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT), which focus on changing the negative thought patterns associated with the traumatic event and helping patients process the trauma.
- Exposure therapy: This helps people with PTSD confront their feelings about a traumatic event in a safe environment. This can reduce feelings of anxiety and distress and help patients gain more control over their lives.
- Prescription medications: Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been effective at managing the symptoms of PTSD. In addition to antidepressants, other medications may be prescribed to address symptoms like anxiety or insomnia.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This is a psychotherapy technique designed to alleviate the distress associated with a traumatic event.
- Self-care: When combined with the above therapies, healthy lifestyle habits like regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet, getting enough sleep, meditation, and other mindfulness practices can help recovery.
- Coping strategies: In addition to the treatment options recommended by your mental health professional, there are steps you can take to reduce your daily stressors and recover from PTSD more quickly, including:
- Inform friends, family, and colleagues that you will need to take things at a slower pace while you are recovering from PTSD.
- Spend less time on social media.
- Simplify your to-do list and avoid unnecessary stress.
- Get behind the wheel again. When you are ready, driving again after an accident can feel empowering. Take it slow, start in areas with little traffic, and ask a trusted friend or family member to go with you for the first couple of trips.
Can I Recover Damages for PTSD After a Car Accident?
If you develop PTSD after a car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim. However, you will need to prove that you are suffering from a mental health disorder and that the car accident caused your PTSD. Since there are no visible injuries associated with mental health disorders like PTSD, this can be a complicated process. A highly skilled car accident lawyer will help you collect the evidence necessary to prove that the trauma from the car accident caused PTSD. While physical injuries are often more easily quantifiable when recovering damages, your physical and mental injuries will be considered when determining a financial settlement. Your car accident lawyer will pursue the maximum damages you are entitled to, including the following:
- Medical expenses associated with your injuries, including hospitalization, psychotherapy, prescription medications, and other treatment options recommended to address your PTSD.
- Lost wages if your PTSD has prevented you from being able to return to work for an extended period of time.
- Ongoing pain and suffering.
- Emotional anguish.
The Cincinnati Car Accident Lawyers at Wolterman Law Office Advocate for Car Accident Victims Suffering From PTSD
If you were in a serious car accident and you are suffering from PTSD, do not hesitate to contact the Cincinnati car accident lawyers at Wolterman Law Office. We understand how traumatic a car accident can be and the impact it can have on your mental health. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 513-488-1135 or contact us online. Our office is located in Loveland, Ohio where we serve clients in Hamilton County, Fairfield, Norwood, and Forest Park, Ohio.