Michael Damaso / 10-06-2021 / Car Accident

Four Critical Signs You May Be Suffering from PTSD after a Car Accident

Automobile accidents continue to be the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the United States. Whether or not you are responsible for the accident, trauma from the accident can leave you with symptoms of PTSD. It may be difficult to admit that you are suffering from PTSD, but you should know that you are not alone. Every year, about 15 million adults in the United States will be diagnosed with PTSD, but the diagnosis is not always permanent.

If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD after being in a car accident, you should seek medical attention and contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Four Common Symptoms of PTSD After an Auto Accident in Florida

PTSD can have severe, profound, and devastating effects on your life. Fortunately, the depression and anxiety caused by PTSD can be treated. Although every case is different, there are common symptoms that may indicate PTSD. Here are four common symptoms of PTSD that you might experience after a car accident:

Intrusive Memories

Intrusive memories come in the form of flashbacks of the accident that feel like a waking nightmare. These memories can play on a loop inside your head, causing you to suffer. Intrusive memories are commonly experienced by people who have survived an auto accident. These flashbacks occur with little to no warning, and they catapult your memory back into the moments of the car accident.

Avoiding Certain People, Places, or Topics of Conversation

You may not be able to think of specific people, locations, or topics without feeling depressed, sad, or hopeless. This dilemma is colloquially known as a trigger. If you find yourself being triggered by certain people, places, or topics, this could be a symptom of PTSD. You should speak to a medical professional about your symptoms.

Problems Concentrating or Sleeping

You may not be able to stay on task, or you might be unable to sleep. If your lack of sleep develops into a need to watch over others, you are experiencing hypervigilance. Hypervigilance is a certain sign of PTSD.

Changes in Behavior

Some people with PTSD become easily agitated or irritated. You might lose your patience more easily than you did before the accident. You might lose your temper with your children or have a lower tolerance for certain things at work. You might suffer anxiety over things that previously would be innocuous under more normal circumstances. Finally, you might find that you grow increasingly agitated in normally comfortable circumstances.

What Should I Do Now That I Have PTSD Because of My Automobile Accident?

If you are suffering from PTSD, do not try to tough it out. PTSD is an insidious condition, and mental health professionals are trained to help you cope with your symptoms. They may even be able to help you overcome such symptoms.

PTSD can affect your personal injury claim as well. Florida is well-known as a no-fault state. In most instances, accident claims can be made against PIP plans. Florida law, however, allows an injured victim to side-step the no-fault laws and file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company if the victim meets certain criteria. One of the requirements is that you, the victim, have suffered a significant and permanent injury.

Contact a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer at Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A.

Every case is different and carries individual facts that can change a situation entirely. It is in your best interest to speak to a personal injury attorney who has expertise in automobile accident cases.

At Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A., our attorneys not only know what evidence is needed to prove liability, but we also know how to utilize that information to create a robust case against a negligent driver. Our Orlando car accident attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience representing clients in central Florida. To schedule a no-pressure, free consultation, you can call (407) 843-7060 or fill out our online contact form.

Disclaimer: All verdicts and settlements listed here are gross amounts before deductions for attorney fees and costs. Past results do not guarantee similar results in the future. Most cases result in a lower recovery. It should not be assumed that your case will have as beneficial a result. Before choosing a lawyer, ask for written information about the lawyer's legal qualifications and experience.