Anderson Injury Lawyers | August 18, 2023 | Car Accidents
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common response to the trauma of a car accident. Even if you walk away from a crash unharmed, the impact of the event can stay with you for a long time afterward. Sometimes, PTSD from a car wreck is so severe that it prevents you from holding down a job or caring for your children.
PTSD can improve with effective therapy and enough time. If you need help affording trauma therapy or support with keeping your bills paid, a Fort Worth car accident lawyer can help you explore your options for recovering compensation.
Understanding PTSD
PTSD tends to set in after a frightening or life-threatening event. While the condition is frequently associated with soldiers who have returned from a warzone, anyone who has been through a traumatic event can develop it.
Individuals respond differently to traumatizing situations. Not everyone who has been in a car accident develops PTSD. And when it does happen, it can present differently for each person.
Ultimately, if you begin to notice lingering symptoms that impact your quality of life — and you believe they started with the car crash — it’s likely a sign of unhealed trauma. You can consult a mental health professional to learn whether you’ve developed PTSD and, if so, what type of trauma therapy you should consider.
Common Signs of PTSD After a Car Accident
It’s difficult to predict exactly how someone processes thoughts and emotions after a traumatic event. PTSD can look very different depending on the individual, and symptoms vary in severity and frequency.
Certain behaviors are commonly associated with PTSD. If you’ve noticed yourself or a loved one struggling with symptoms that weren’t an issue before the crash, there’s a good chance that the car accident resulted in PTSD.
1. Flashbacks
Flashbacks to the event are among the most common signs of PTSD after a car accident. Flashbacks usually take the form of intrusive thoughts, images, and feelings associated with the accident. They might come seemingly at random or be triggered by things like hearing a car horn or getting back behind the wheel.
2. Nightmares and Insomnia
It’s common for a person struggling with PTSD to experience vivid nightmares of the crash. Over time, the thought of falling asleep can become a source of anxiety due to the fear of the nightmares returning.
3. Depression
Traumatic events are often associated with the development of depression. The mental and emotional disruption of a car accident can trigger changes in brain chemistry and the ability to emotionally self-regulate.
4. Fears and Anxiety
PTSD is frequently associated with the development of anxiety, especially in certain circumstances. When PTSD originates from a car accident, the thought of driving, riding in a car, or even being near traffic can result in crippling fear and anxiety.
The Long-Term Impact of PTSD
PTSD is a serious mental health concern.
Over time, the symptoms of PTSD can have a profound impact on numerous elements of life, such as:
- Family relationships
- Friendships
- Mental and emotional health
- Financial stability
- Physical health
- Personal hygiene
- Ability to hold a job
Allowing PTSD to go untreated never helps in the long run. If you believe you’ve developed PTSD after a Fort Worth crash, it’s best to seek professional help as soon as possible.
Get Legal Help If a Fort Worth Car Crash Causes PTSD
Navigating life with PTSD can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. A Fort Worth car accident attorney can answer your questions about how non-economic damages can help you afford treatment and cover your living expenses as you heal from PTSD.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
