While the physical harm and financial distress from car accidents can be devastating, the psychological trauma can be just as impactful. It’s common for car accident victims to experience acute stress reactions, anxiety, depression, and, yes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of PTSD from a car crash, treatment is available, and healing is possible. However, you’ll first want to learn more about the symptoms of PTSD, the help that is available to you, and the legal options you can pursue to make that help more accessible.
What Is PTSD from a Car Accident?
PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a traumatic, terrifying, or life-threatening event. While many people associate this condition with military combat, it’s possible for anyone who has survived a traumatic event like a terrible car wreck to experience symptoms as well.
PTSD from car accidents is not necessarily the result of serious injuries, either. The shock and trauma of narrowly surviving a car wreck – or of losing loved ones in one – can also trigger severe PTSD symptoms.
Common PTSD and Car Accident Trauma Symptoms
Car accident trauma symptoms might present themselves days, weeks, or even months after the accident occurs. Some of the most common symptoms for car accident survivors include:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Irritability or mood swings
- Emotional numbness
- Avoidance behaviors, such as refusing to drive or get into a car
- Hypervigilance
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
How PTSD Differs from Physical Injuries from a Car Accident
Injuries from a serious car accident can come in both physical and psychological forms. The physical ones can be devastating, but they are also more tangible and easier to identify when seeking compensation for them. Psychological damage, like PTSD, is more challenging to prove in a legal setting.
Some of the most notable differences between PTSD and physical injuries include:
- Diagnosis – You can’t simply observe PTSD through diagnostics like MRIs or X-rays as you can physical injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries. Diagnosis requires evaluation by a mental health professional.
- Symptoms – You can’t always see the symptoms of PTSD, and identifying them comes with a level of subjectivity. It can be challenging to conclusively show that those symptoms are an indication of PTSD.
- Treatment – Physical injuries from a motor vehicle accident can be treated with casts, stitches, surgeries, and rehabilitation. In contrast, PTSD is typically treated through therapy, sometimes with the aid of prescription medication.
When to Seek Help for PTSD After a Crash
You should seek help for PTSD after a serious accident if you:
- Struggle to sleep or relax due to crash-related thoughts
- Avoid driving or riding in cars
- Frequently feel panicked by reminders of the crash
- Experience mood swings or behavioral changes
- Struggle to concentrate
- Notice your job or relationships being affected
If you’re experiencing emotional distress after a traumatic incident, it’s important to seek help from a licensed mental health professional as soon as you can. Car accident trauma symptoms can worsen over time and extend your recovery process considerably.
How PTSD Can Affect Your Daily Life
PTSD impacts the mind first, but if you don’t seek treatment, it can eventually begin impacting your everyday life. Motor vehicle accident survivors often struggle with:
- Personal relationships
- Job performance
- Driving
- Everyday tasks
- Enjoyment of life
When car accident trauma symptoms go unaddressed and start impacting daily life, many sufferers become depressed, turn to substance abuse, or begin having suicidal thoughts. These impacts can be just as devastating as physical injuries, and sometimes even more so. They deserve to be recognized and taken seriously.
Can You Be Compensated for PTSD from a Car Accident in Wisconsin?
Yes, you can potentially be compensated for PTSD, provided the accident that caused your PTSD was the result of someone else’s negligence. PTSD-related compensation can include:
- Medical costs (e.g., prescription medications and doctor’s visits)
- Therapy costs
- Lost wages for time off work
- Emotional distress compensation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why You Should Talk to a Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident cases are complicated, and they become even more complicated when you’re seeking compensation for PTSD symptoms. An experienced Wisconsin car accident lawyer can offer the following:
- Legal Guidance – Pursuing your case will be challenging, particularly when you’re recovering from injury and in emotional distress. Your lawyer can guide you through the process and alleviate the burdens associated with it.
- Critical Support – Experienced car accident attorneys have the knowledge and resources to secure the treatment you need while they work on holding the person responsible for the accident accountable.
- Gathering Evidence – Connecting your PTSD to the accident and showing its impact on your life requires clear and convincing evidence. Your lawyer can work with mental health professionals, collect medical records, gather financial documents, and consult with experts to prove your claim.
- Negotiating and Litigating – When it comes time to negotiate, your lawyer will advocate aggressively for the settlement you deserve. If a settlement can’t be reached, they’ll file a lawsuit and bring your claim to court.
FAQs About PTSD from Car Accidents in Wisconsin
Here are some of the most common questions our car accident clients ask us:
How long after a car accident can PTSD develop?
PTSD may develop directly after the accident occurs, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, it takes weeks or months for the symptoms to show, which can pose significant challenges when building a case and connecting the crash to your PTSD. This is why seeking medical care as soon as possible is key.
Can you sue for PTSD after a car accident in Wisconsin?
Yes, Wisconsin personal injury claims can include both physical and emotional harm. If the car accident resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the PTSD symptoms the crash caused.
What’s the statute of limitations for PTSD claims in Wisconsin?
Under Wisconsin law, you typically have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Our state also employs the “discovery rule,” which may reset the three-year deadline to begin on the date the injury was discovered. However, the legal process can be time-consuming, insurance companies may attempt to stall, and evidence can become lost or destroyed. It’s critical to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Our Wisconsin Car Accident Attorneys for Help
If you’re suffering psychological trauma from a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, healing is possible, and compensation may be available. The team at Schwaba Law Firm provides compassionate support and tenacious representation to injured clients in Wisconsin. We’ll fight for your rights while you focus on recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
