Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when a person is involved in a serious car accident, especially one where they face life-threatening injuries or watch their family members suffer.
You can get PTSD from a car accident, and as a result of that, you may have the legal right to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault driver for the losses you incur.
At Levine And Wiss, you get exceptional legal guidance in building a strong case and maximum possible results from our Long Island car accident lawyer.
Understanding PTSD and Car Accidents
Car accidents often create serious physical injury, but they are also terrifying events that change the course of a person’s life for years to come. PTSD is a type of mental health disorder, one that can develop after any scary and dangerous situation.
As noted by the National Institute of Mental Health, post-traumatic stress disorder signs and symptoms include:
- The onset of symptoms that occur within three months of a trauma event, though they may emerge later in some situations, and those symptoms last for a month or longer
- Experiencing flashbacks of the event
- Having recurring memories or dreams of the event
- Experiencing physical signs of stress
- Having distressing thoughts
- Avoiding locations or even cars due to the incident
- Avoiding thoughts, feelings, or speaking about the accident
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling tense and on guard all of the time
- Trouble sleeping
- Engaging in risky behavior
In situations like this, it is critical that you, as a victim, seek medical and mental health support after your accident to ensure you have the best possible recovery. Getting that help may mean that you need financial support for the losses you have incurred, and our attorneys can provide you with that guidance. If you believe you have PTSD, seek mental health support right away.
Proving PTSD After a Car Accident
You can get PTSD from a car accident, but proving to the insurance company that you are suffering from this condition may become more challenging. With the help of a car accident attorney, you gain insight into how well you can demonstrate the symptoms of this mental health disorder and what type of compensation you may be owed. There are several ways you may be able to prove PTSD after a car accident:
- Demonstrate changes in your mental health. Keeping a journal can help you to document these. Write down what you think and feel throughout the day.
- Seeking mental health help from a professional will create documented evidence of your condition, including the onset and how it progresses.
- Family and friends can offer witness statements about the changes you have in personality or abilities to engage in activities.
- Your statements about the way this is impacting your life can help to build a strong foundation for your claim.
- Your employer may be able to document your inability to do your job compared to before the accident.
These examples are just the starting point for documenting PTSD car accident symptoms and outcomes. If you believe you have this condition, seek professional help as the first step, as that will ensure you receive proper attention to your needs.
That also helps to make it clear you deserve compensation for the losses you have, including PTSD, and our prior case results tell that story.
Types of Compensation You May Be Owed from PTSD After a Car Accident
Unlike a wound that has a bill from a medical provider, it can be harder to demonstrate the financial loss you have after a car accident when PTSD symptoms occur.
In short, it is up to you to gather and provide proof of any losses you have, and when you can do that clearly, you may be able to obtain the compensation owed. Some of the types of compensation you may be owed just from the PTSD include:
- Medical expenses for any mental health care you sought or continue to seek treatment
- Lost time at work due to your symptoms
- Emotional distress itself
- Pain and suffering if it continues long-term
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
Each situation is very different because PTSD impacts people in numerous ways and to differing degrees. Some people experience ongoing symptoms for months, while for others, they remain present and impactful for a lifetime. In any situation where someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer, it is critical to seek out the help of an experienced attorney to guide you.
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Risk Factors for Developing PTSD After a Car Accident
Some situations are more likely to lead to the onset of PTSD than others. While your doctor’s recommendations for care and your overall evidence can back up any claims you make, understanding why you are facing these emotional concerns is helpful. Some of the most common risk factors for developing PTSD include:
- Suffering a serious and life-threatening injury in a car accident
- Watching a family member suffer a serious injury or death in a car accident
- Having a pre-existing mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression
- A history of traumatic events in your past
- Not receiving proper care and support after the incident
Documenting your losses and all of the ways that the car accident impacted your mental health is critical in proving the compensation owed to you. As your car accident attorney will tell you, the more detailed and accurate you can be in your claims, the harder it is for the insurance company to refute them. Let our legal team help you every step of the way. Read through our reviews to learn more.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorney Today for the Legal Support You Need
You can get PTSD from a car accident, and when you have these symptoms, you should seek mental health support from a trusted professional. As you get the care you need, it is also time to work towards receiving the compensation owed to you by contacting our car accident attorney to discuss your case.
Contact Levine And Wiss to discuss your case during a free consultation so you can learn more about your rights to pursue PTSD claims after your car accident.
