A car accident is a devastating experience. The sudden loss of control, followed by painful injuries to you and sometimes to family members riding as passengers, is a traumatic experience. After a serious car accident, it’s not uncommon to experience emotional impacts as well as the physical pain of the injury.
Contact a Laredo car accident attorney today online to get started with a free consultation.
What Is PTSD and What Are the Symptoms?
According to a study by the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, about 27.5% of car accident survivors report experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) six months after their accident. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that sometimes impacts trauma survivors after situations involving the threat of harm or death. It’s important to recognize the symptoms of PTSD after an accident.
While it’s normal to experience a rush of adrenaline and stress hormones during the immediate aftermath of a car accident and emotional impacts during the pain of medical procedures and recovery, these emotions should subside after the car accident victim reaches their maximum level of recovery. Unfortunately, some car accident survivors experience continuing symptoms, including the following:
- Anxiety
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories, such as repeatedly hearing the sound of the crash or feeling the spin of the out-of-control car
- Avoidance of triggers, such as driving
- Startling easily
- Feeling on edge, agitated, or irritable
- Social withdrawal
- Sleep disturbances
- Problems with memory, focus, and concentration
- Loss of interest in previous pastimesÂ
- Mood swings
In some cases, PTSD manifests with physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. PTSD ranges in severity among affected car accident victims, even after experiencing similar accidents and injuries.
Recovering Compensation for PTSD After a Car Accident In Texas
Like the majority of states, Texas has fault-based injury laws allowing a car accident victim to seek compensation for their losses from the party responsible for the accident. Typical damages recovered in car accident claims include past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering. If the accident caused permanent harm like loss of limb, the loss of an organ, scarring, or disfigurement.
Obtaining compensation for PTSD can be more challenging. There are no X-rays or medical tests to prove that a car accident victim is suffering the symptoms of PTSD, yet PTSD can significantly interfere with an injury victim’s quality of life. A personal injury attorney in Laredo understands the difficulty in getting compensation for PTSD, and will fight for the justice you deserve.
How to Prove PTSD After a Texas Car Accident
PTSD symptoms often adversely impact all aspects of the injury victim’s life. A car accident victim deserves compensation for their losses, including the loss of quality of life caused by PTSD and their therapy-related costs. Unfortunately, insurance companies often decline compensation claims for PTSD. An injury victim must prove that they have this condition and that it directly resulted from the car accident. Evidence may include:
- Documentation showing the accident victim is receiving therapy or counseling
- A medical diagnosis
- The testimony of medical and psychiatric experts
- Evidence of withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities
- The eyewitness testimony of family and friends showing a change in the accident victim’s behavior or personality
Photo or video evidence showing the severity of the car accident also provides proof that the accident’s trauma could result in PTSD.
A Laredo truck accident lawyer can help a car accident victim prove their accident-related losses, including the effects of PTSD.