Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological condition which millions of people experience following a shocking or traumatic event. This disorder can have dramatic negative consequences on your life, leaving you feeling isolated and afraid. The good news is that medical help is available. Doctors have learned a considerable amount of information about PTSD over the past 20 years, and they have identified therapies to help you manage symptoms.
You can also receive financial compensation for PTSD suffered as the result of an accident. Call Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C. at your earliest convenience. Our Des Moines car accident lawyer can delve deeper into your accident and how it has impacted your mental health. We are willing to travel from our offices in Iowa City and Waterloo to meet you at home or the hospital, and we always remain available 24/7 to our clients.
PTSD Symptoms
Car accidents are so traumatic that even people properly strapped in can suffer horrible bodily injuries, including fractures, neck injuries, and concussions. But psychological injuries are just as serious. Anyone suffering from PTSD can manifest one or more of the following symptoms. They may feel like their lives are upside down.
Avoidance
You might find yourself:
- Trying to stop thinking about the accident
- Refusing to talk about the accident
- Avoiding motor vehicles or the scene of the crash
Avoidance can take a toll on anyone. If you avoid motor vehicles, then it’s much harder to get to work or school. Someone who lives alone might struggle to get medical treatment.
Intrusive Thoughts
Negative thoughts can intrude in your life:
- Flashbacks in which you relive the event
- Nightmares
- Extreme reaction to triggers that remind you of the accident
- Constant distressing memories of the accident
Intrusive thoughts keep people awake at night, leading to stress, which makes healing harder for your bodily injuries, like burns or fractures.
Negative Change in Mood or Thinking
You might suddenly feel:
- A loss of enjoyment in hobbies
- Emotional numbness
- Isolation from friends or family
- Fear or shame over the accident
- Impaired memory
These moods put strain on family relationships. They can also make it difficult to go into work when you cannot communicate with other people.
Increased Vigilance
You might notice the following changes in behavior:
- You frighten or startle more easily
- You are hypervigilant about risks or dangers
- Insomnia
- You have trouble concentrating
- Rapid heartbeat or sweating
PTSD symptoms are a direct consequence of surviving a traumatizing accident. The negligent driver should be held accountable for the fear and anxiety you are experiencing, just as we hold them accountable for physical injuries. Call us to speak with an attorney.
Suicidal Thoughts
Some PTSD victims also have suicidal thoughts. If you experience suicidal thoughts, or if you are worried about a loved one, then call an emergency suicide hotline to speak to someone.
How Common is PTSD after a Car Accident?
Different studies have yielded different numbers. But one of the most recent studies estimates that roughly 40% of those who survive a car accident suffer from multiple PTSD symptoms. This is a very common psychological injury.
Other PTSD facts include:
- 1 in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.
- About 1 in 20 people experience PTSD in any given year.
- Not everyone who survives a traumatic accident develops PTSD.
- For some, PTSD is a temporary condition, while others could struggle with it for the remainder of their lives.
Keep your legal team updated about your mental health. You can request financial compensation if we can tie the PTSD to your car accident. Given how common PTSD is after collisions, you have a good chance of increasing your compensation.
Treating PTSD
There are many treatments available. By seeking medical help, you can find the right one that works for you. Generally, treatment should help you learn to cope with symptoms, as well as improve how you feel about yourself. You can also address other issues, such as depression, drug addiction, or anxiety.
Psychotherapy is an important component for many people. Some therapies for PTSD include cognitive therapy and exposure therapy.
Your doctor might also prescribe medication, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. These prescriptions can help with managing symptoms, like insomnia or negative thoughts.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive?
After a Des Moines car wreck, a victim can seek full financial compensation for all damages. Most people focus on economic damages, like the cost of car repairs or your medical bills. If you end up needing psychotherapy or prescription medication, then you should request compensation for those medical costs.
But you can also seek money for non-economic damages, including:
- Bodily pain
- Anxiety
- Mental distress
- Depression
Post-traumatic stress disorder also falls under the non-economic category. How much can you receive? With medical care, there are bills and receipts with a number representing the cost of care. When it comes to non-economic damages, however, we rely on life experience to arrive at a number that’s fair. We also can research how much insurers in Iowa pay for PTSD and make sure you can receive an equivalent amount.
One reason to hire an experienced lawyer is to ensure you don’t accept too little for emotional distress and damages. An insurance company might offer only a couple thousand dollars—if that. You shouldn’t agree to it. You have basically one chance to get meaningful compensation for all injuries, physical and psychological. For this reason, you should work with your own car accident lawyer, who represents only you. Let us review any settlement offer for a car accident to determine if it’s fair.
Speak with a Des Moines Car Accident Lawyer
Mental health is critical, but some people are anxious talking about their struggles. At Ball, Kirk & Holm, P.C., we offer private consultations to accident victims so you can discuss your accident in a safe environment. We want to hear everything about how a motor vehicle crash has impacted you. Let us discuss whether you can seek compensation in a car injury claim against the at-fault motorist.