Can I Sue if My Car Accident Gave Me PTSD?
Not all car accident injuries are visible. If you suffer from PTSD after a crash, you can claim compensation for the injury.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, more commonly known as PTSD, is most often associated with service in the military or the passing of a loved one. However, the condition has also been linked to car accidents. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a startling 39.2% of people suffer from PTSD after a car crash. To put that in perspective, approximately three million people are hurt in car accidents every year, meaning that 300,000 victims suffer from PTSD after a crash each year.
If you have been involved in a car accident caused by the negligent actions of another person and think you are now suffering from PTSD, you can recover damages. Financial compensation is available not only for your physical injuries, but for your mental injuries, as well. A Murrieta car accident lawyer can help you claim the full damages you deserve.
Common Symptoms Associated with PTSD
People experience mental injuries such as PTSD very differently, and no two people will have the exact same symptoms. Still, there are some common symptoms you can watch for if you think you are suffering from the condition. These are as follows:
- Becoming quick to become irritated or feel angry
- Having trouble focusing or sleeping
- Reliving the accident, usually through nightmares
- Avoiding activities, such as driving, or locations that remind you of the crash
- Difficulty remembering certain details about the collision
- Having difficulty feeling positive about anything
If you have been in a collision and are now experiencing any of the above symptoms, or any others of concern, speak to a Murrieta car accident lawyer about filing a claim.
Seek Medical Attention Right Away
If you were visibly injured after a car accident, you will likely seek medical treatment for them as soon as possible. It is important to pay this same kind of attention to your mental health, too. Nearly 50% of people who develop PTSD and do not seek treatment for it will feel symptoms for six months or longer.
Both your physical and mental health are important priorities after a car accident. Many people think treatment is not available for people with PTSD, but that is not true. Medications such as anti-anxiety drugs and antidepressants have helped many people experiencing PTSD. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are also effective forms of treatment. Only once you have started receiving treatment can you move forward with your life.
Receiving the necessary treatment is not only important for your overall health and well-being. It can also help prove any claim you file after a crash. Seeking proper treatment will document your injuries, so you can claim the full damages to which you are entitled.
Our Car Accident Lawyer in Murrieta Can Prove Your Injuries
PTSD is a very serious condition, and you can claim compensation for any treatment you need, income you have lost, and your other losses. At Gibbs & Fuerst, LLP, our Murrieta car accident lawyer can prove all of your injuries so you recover the fair settlement you deserve. Call us today at 951-816-3435 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.