Compensation for PTSD After a Car Accident

When filing an insurance claim for a car accident, the presence of PTSD and its impact on the victim's life can significantly factor into the outcome of the case.

Car accident victims suffering from PTSD commonly share with our personal injury lawyers how it affects them. It's common to hear clients are afraid to get behind the wheel again, suffer panic attacks, have nightmares, and are suffering severe emotional distress.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect anyone of any age or gender who has experienced significant trauma. In severe cases, it can be crippling to the individual, impairing their ability to work and enjoy daily life as they did before the accident.

PTSD Signs Following an Accident

It's important to seek medical attention from a professional after a collision. Symptoms of PTSD may not appear immediately following an accident.

Signs of PTSD After an Accident Include:

• Driving Anxiety: Intense fear when thinking about driving or the persistent fear of another accident occurring.
• Sleep Disturbances: Experiencing insomnia, either having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or experiencing intense and recurring nightmares.
• Panic Attacks: Especially when faced with the prospect of driving somewhere, even as a passenger.
• Detachment: A general sense of emotional numbness, estrangement, or disconnect from the activities and people you once enjoyed.
• Persistent Fear: A persistent state of fear which can cause the victim to avoid trauma reminders, locations, people, and social settings which may trigger memories.
• Heightened Emotional State: Heightened feelings and emotional states that include feelings of frustration, fear, horror, anger, guilt, shame.
• Flashbacks: This can include the victim reliving the traumatic incident, often with vivid detail. Seemingly unrelated events can trigger these intrusive thoughts.

It's important for people involved in a serious collision not to ignore their mental health as they work on recovery. A psychological disorder like PTSD can require specialized mental health services to address the extensive effects of PTSD. Victims should seek specialized medical care as soon as possible to ensure they receive adequate and an appropriate treatment plans for their recovery.

Auto Accident PTSD sufferers can seek several types of compensation in a legal claim.

Generally, you may sue to recover medical expenses covering the cost of PTSD treatment, including therapy, medications, and other mental health treatments deemed medically necessary. Lost wages and loss of earning capacity resulting from an inability to work due to complications are also recoverable. Learn more about how pain and suffering damages are calculated to arrive at a fair compensation amount here. Ultimately, your claim should address the emotional distress and psychological impact suffered in addition to any physical harm.

• Medical expenses for PTSD treatment, including therapy and medication
• Lost wages due to time off work
• Loss of earning capacity for future income lost due to PTSD
• Pain and suffering damages for emotional and psychological impact
• Cost of ongoing therapy and medication
• Compensation for lifestyle changes and diminished quality of life

Consult an experienced personal injury attorney about your case who will help you determine how much your mental injuries may entitle you in compensation. Every motor vehicle accident case is unique. Our attorneys understand the fair settlement value of cases that involve psychological injury and know exactly what it takes to get you the best possible outcome.

How much your PTSD case is worth is affected by several factors. Even the best auto accident attorneys won't be able to give you an accurate estimate until they have reviewed your case details. An insurance claim seeking a fair amount will consider the facts of what happened along with the severity of injury, both mental and physical.

• Severity of PTSD: Generally speaking, more severe symptoms and long-term impacts can give rise to higher settlements.
• Duration of symptoms: Persistent or permanent PTSD may increase the potential payout.
• Impact on daily life: The extent to which the disorder and the physical injuries, affects work, relationships, and quality of life, influences the amount.
• Cost of treatment: Higher compensation is generally won for extensive medical treatment, hospital stays, and ongoing therapy.
• Loss of income: Significant lost wages and reduced earning capacity due to the duration you are unable to work as before will influence compensation amounts sought.
• Pain and suffering: The emotional and psychological toll is a major factor in determining intangible damages.

After even a minor collision, you should consult a qualified auto accident attorney who can help protect your rights.