Vehicle accidents often result in significant injuries for drivers and passengers involved. This includes not only acute physical injuries caused directly by the crash but also significant emotional and psychological trauma that arise as a result of the incident. Here, we want to discuss post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In particular, we want to discuss whether or not you can claim damages and receive compensation if you or a loved one sustain PTSD after a car accident in Philadelphia.
Symptoms of PTSD After a Car Accident
Symptoms of PTSD can be debilitating for those who experience them. Even though PTSD may not have any outward signs and symptoms, this can significantly affect a person’s emotional well-being. Some of the most common symptoms of PTSD following a vehicle accident include the following:
- Reliving the incident. Often, a person who has been in a car accident may experience a trigger that results in flashbacks, intense fear, or nightmares that cause them to relive the incident.
- Avoidance. It is not uncommon for a person who has experienced trauma to avoid places, people, or things that remind them of the incident. Additionally, avoidance can occur with emotions as well. A person can also experience avoidance by withdrawing from emotions or experiencing a general lack of emotions.
- Trouble sleeping. PTSD victims often have difficulty sleeping because sleep can trigger flashbacks or nightmares.
- Other behavioral changes. PTSD can lead to a range of emotional distress, including anxiety disorders, depression, trouble concentrating, feelings of worthlessness, and even suicidal thoughts.
- Hyper-arousal. Hyper-arousal refers to intense feelings of fear, anger, anxiety, or sudden outbursts.
Filing a Car Accident PTSD Claim is Possible, but Challenging
Filing a PTSD claim after a car accident is possible in some situations, but it is difficult to successfully secure compensation in these situations. This is because proving PTSD following a vehicle accident can be challenging, and the signs and symptoms of PTSD may take some time to appear.
PTSD can be hard to prove
Because PTSD is an emotional and psychological issue, it can be hard to properly convey the impact of the severity of what is going on. Physical injuries have visible impacts on a victim, and they come with bills and receipts that are easy to calculate. However, proving PTSD requires a person to show how the incident and their injuries have affected their emotional and psychological stability. Proving PTSD following a car accident could include testimony from psychological experts as well as the testimony of friends and family members who can discuss how the incident has changed the victim’s life.
Symptoms of PTSD take time to appear
Another issue with securing compensation for PTSD following a car accident has to do with the fact that the signs and symptoms of PTSD may take some time to appear. In many cases, PTSD symptoms do not appear until months or even years following a vehicle accident. This can be a problem, particularly if a vehicle accident claim has already been resolved through settlement with insurance carriers or through a jury verdict in a personal injury case. After an accident claim has been settled or resolved through a jury verdict, it will be nearly impossible to reopen the case in an effort to secure additional compensation.
Contact an Attorney
If you or somebody you love has been involved in a vehicle accident in Philadelphia, you need to seek assistance from an attorney as soon as possible. If an attorney gets involved in the case quickly, they will be able to take the steps necessary to help the victim prove all of their losses. This includes establishing proof of the physical injuries as well as any emotional and psychological trauma suffered as a result of the collision and the injuries.