PTSD After Car Accident: Symptoms, Treatment, Settlements

Every year, millions of drivers are involved in motor vehicle accidents (MVA). Serious accidents can lead to fatalities or severe physical injuries. But many drivers don’t anticipate the psychological toll that these MVAs can have long after an accident. Some people develop PTSD as a result of an MVA. It’s only in recent years that the emotional impact on drivers involved in MVAs has been recognized, and the law is expanding to accommodate this new understanding. 

Can a Car Accident Cause PTSD?

Once a psychiatric disorder reserved for war veterans, “shell shock” or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common consequences after a severe auto accident. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that often occurs after a traumatic event. A conservative estimate shows that over 3.5 million people have PTSD in the U.S. 

Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives. Car accidents are the leading cause of PTSD in American civilians. Whether the MVA results in a fatality, or severe injury, or threatens the physical safety of oneself or others, it’s estimated that up to 33% of individuals report PTSD symptoms thirty days after an MVA. Even people without a history of trauma should consider psychological screening with a behavioral specialist after a serious MVA. 

Common Symptoms of PTSD After a Car Accident

Recognizing the symptoms of MVA-related PTSD is important for effective treatment and healing after a serious crash. Though our understanding of mental health has shifted dramatically in the last couple of decades, there’s not been a public acknowledgment of the prevalence of MVA-related PTSD. Because people don’t talk about how common PTSD is after an MVA, many don’t recognize the symptoms. Below are a few of the most prevalent post-MVA PTSD symptoms that folks should be aware of: 

Flashbacks

Flashbacks are a common side effect of PTSD. People report that it feels like they’re reliving the accident over and over in their minds. These flashbacks can be extreme and make you feel like you’re back at the scene of the accident again. What triggers PTSD in someone is unique and isn’t always the same for everyone, which makes it harder to diagnose. Sometimes, there may be specific smells or sounds that bring on the flashbacks. Other times, it may not be as obvious. There may be an internal stimulus that triggers the flashback. 

Avoidance

On the other side of the PTSD spectrum is avoidance, which is another common hallmark of PTSD. If you find that you can’t think about the MVA or you actively avoid discussing it with loved ones, then you may have MVA-related PTSD. Avoidance is often an indicator that the accident may have had a more profound impact on your psyche. 

After a collision, it can be challenging for folks to drive or even be a passenger in a vehicle. Even if it’s not the same vehicle involved in the accident, avoiding getting into a car may be a sign of PTSD. Another example is taking detours to avoid the scene of the accident, even if it takes much longer to get to your destination. This is another example of avoidance that can spell PTSD. 

Trouble sleeping

After an accident, you may have trouble sleeping. Injuries you sustained and lingering pain can affect your sleep health, but sleep disruption may also be a sign of PTSD. If you’re having nightmares of the accident or having trouble falling or staying asleep, then it’s important to assess this symptom. Avoidance can play a role here, too. If you’re sleeping later to avoid waking up and starting your day, this pattern of avoidance may be telling you it’s time to check in about your mental health. 

Difficulty concentrating

If you are unable to concentrate or enjoy the same hobbies and activities as before the accident, this may be a sign of PTSD. Feeling constantly distracted or like you’re battling brain fog is often an indicator of deeper anxiety. Since PTSD is an anxiety disorder, it’s important not to dismiss these feelings and consider meeting with a mental health professional for help. 

Changes in mood

After a serious collision, you may feel on edge or physically tense. Startling more easily is also a sign that your body is in flight or fight mode. Irritability, increased aggression, or being angry for long periods of time are PTSD warning signs. If you notice that you’re snapping at people or losing your temper, this agitation may be MVA-related PTSD. 

PTSD doesn’t only produce feelings of anxiety. It can also make you feel numb or depressed. If you’re experiencing feelings of worthlessness or have lost interest in your hobbies, it may be PTSD. 

Intense mood swings are another sign of PTSD that is often overlooked. If you’re experiencing emotional highs and lows that don’t seem related to your circumstances, then it could be PTSD. You may be adept at hiding these symptoms, or your family and friends aren’t familiar with the warning signs of PTSD, so it’s crucial to pay attention to any changes in your mood after an accident. 

Isolation

After a traumatic event, it can be hard to talk to your friends and family about what you’re going through. You may feel like you’re a burden or that they won’t understand, so you begin to pull back and spend more time alone. Isolation is a common characteristic of PTSD, but isolating yourself from your loved ones won’t help you heal faster. Surrounding yourself with a strong support system is key to moving on from your motor vehicle accident. 

Immediate Steps To Take if You Develop PTSD from a Car Accident

If you’ve suffered a motor vehicle accident and are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, there are steps you can take. The most important thing is to seek treatment immediately. You want to start documenting your injuries, so that you can receive the support you need. 

Contact an attorney

Contact an experienced auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney will help you gather the necessary documentation of your PTSD to receive compensation after an MVA. They can also negotiate on your behalf with the other driver’s insurance carrier for a settlement or file a lawsuit to recover the money you deserve. 

Seek medical treatment

Go to the doctor to report your injuries to a medical professional and start the documentation process for your injury. Keep track of all medical records and treatment you receive as a result of your MVA. Ask your doctor for a reference to a psychotherapist who specializes in treating PTSD. 

How Is PTSD Treated?

One of the most common PTSD screening methods is the PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)  outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A medical professional will use this criterion to monitor symptom changes, screen for PTSD, and make a provisional PTSD diagnosis. While the PCL-5 is used to identify possible PTSD symptoms, a structured clinical interview with a clinician is necessary to make an accurate and thorough PTSD diagnosis. 

After you receive an official diagnosis, there are multiple treatment plans you can pursue. 

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Known colloquially as “talk therapy,” in CBT, you work with a mental health counselor in structured sessions to examine inaccurate or negative thought patterns that can make recovering from PTSD difficult. Over time, CBT helps patients view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way. 

• Exposure therapy: In exposure therapy, you’ll work with a psychotherapist to re-experience the memories and trauma in a safe environment. Patients, working with their mental health counselor, will gradually be exposed to things that remind them of the MVA to help them overcome their anxiety. Through exposure therapy, the hope is that the patient can confront their fears and reduce their psychological distress. 

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR falls under the umbrella of exposure therapy by using guided eye movements to alter reactions to traumatic memories. 

• Medication: Patients may be treated with medication for PTSD. Common recommendations for medication include antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, or a medication called Prazosin to help suppress nightmares. 

Can I Get Compensation for PTSD Stemming from a Car Accident?

Compensation for PTSD may be possible after a motor vehicle accident. But there are a few things you will need to prove in order to recover money:

• Negligence. You must be able to prove that the other driver was more careless or reckless than a responsible driver. Neglect must be the cause of the accident. 

• PTSD. You will need to provide proof of a PTSD diagnosis as a direct result of the MVA. Your diagnosis should specify how PTSD impacts your daily life. It’s up to your attorney to help determine how much you should be compensated based on the severity of your PTSD. 

What Kind of Damages Are Recoverable for Car Accident PTSD?

Similarly to other car accident claims, compensation for MVA-related PTSD falls under three categories: 

• Pain and suffering: compensation for the pain and discomfort of dealing with this disorder

• Medical Bills & lost wages: payment for therapy and other PTSD treatments 

• Emotional distress: compensation for emotional damages 

Average Compensation for PTSD Related to a Car Accident

The specific value of your compensation depends on the individual circumstances of your case. Your attorney will ask the following questions to determine the amount of compensation based on the scope of your claim:

• Did the accident cause any fatalities or serious injuries? 

• How likely are you to recover from PTSD? 

• Has the PTSD impacted you financially, and to what degree? For example, did you have to miss work or incur costly therapy bills? 

• How is the pain of PTSD impacting your life? 

Legal Considerations for PTSD Lawsuits

Suing for PTSD compensation after a car accident is no easy feat. Even with an official PTSD diagnosis and detailed medical records about your ongoing condition, proving a motor vehicle accident directly caused your PTSD is an uphill battle. Compounded by the fact that some psychological symptoms don’t appear for days, weeks, or even months after, it can make it challenging to prove that your motor vehicle collision caused PTSD. But if you can prove that you have MVA-related PTSD, then you may increase the compensation you receive. So, what do you need to consider before you pursue a PTSD lawsuit? 

• Documentation: You’ll need copies of any medical expenses, therapy costs, lost wages, and documentation of pain and suffering. You should be prepared to undergo multiple medical examinations with different providers to prove your MVA-related PTSD.

• Witnesses: Many cases also require character witnesses that speak to the claimant’s symptoms before- and after- the accident. Depending on your case, expert testimony may also be required to verify your claims. Any expert testifying on your behalf should be able to prove they have the specialized knowledge to render an opinion on your case. 

• Occupation: A judge will take into consideration the claimant’s occupation and other factors that may have induced the PTSD symptoms other than the MVA. Those in high-stress jobs may have a harder time proving the causality of their PTSD. 

• Prior medical treatment: The court will review any prior treatment you received. In Richardson v. McDonough, a court determined that a veteran could not prove his PTSD was a result of an MVA where he swerved off the road, killing his friend. A previous diagnosis of “emotional instability reaction” that he received years before the MVA couldn’t be separated from his current PTSD symptoms. In addition, it could not be clarified whether his symptoms were related directly to the MVA or to his routine military duty. 

When you’ve been injured in an accident, there are a lot of things to consider. Beyond the financial strain, PTSD can make daily life a struggle, and you want someone on your side when you need an attorney who can fight for you and help you recover the compensation you deserve. 

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FAQs

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