Recovering Compensation for PTSD Resulting from Car Accidents
A serious car accident can be a life-changing event, but those changes aren’t always the ones you would expect. Broken bones, cuts and bruises on the chest and waist – these are all visible wounds, but the injuries you can’t see are often the most debilitating.
A 2003 book by the American Psychological Association revealed that car accidents are the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the United States. The authors also have a warning: Diagnosis soon after the crash is critical for optimal recovery.
Gone are the days when PTSD was dismissed as a minor or meaningless figment of the imagination. Today, it is regarded as a serious condition with severe psychological symptoms that require expert treatment.
Symptoms of PTSD can take time to become apparent. If you were hurt in a collision and you have questions about recovering compensation for the psychological effects, contact a Gary personal injury attorney at Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC for advice.
For more than 30 years, the car accident lawyers at our practice have built a strong reputation litigating complex, high-value personal injury and wrongful death cases. Call 219-769-2900 to arrange a free consultation today.
Recovering Compensation for PTSD Resulting from Car Accidents
While some car accident victims walk away without a scratch, others suffer devastating physical and psychological injuries that have a significant impact on their quality of life. According to the Mayo Clinic, while cases of PTSD differ from one person to the next, most fall into one of four categories:
- Intrusive memories, or flashbacks;
- Avoiding places or conversations that remind the victim of the event;
- Negative changes in thinking and mood patterns; and
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions – such as trouble sleeping or concentrating.
To make a successful claim for damages related to PTSD after a car crash, you will need to prove that:
- The accident in which you were injured was caused by the other driver’s breach of duty (a negligent or intentional act);
- You suffered PTSD as a result of that accident; and
- Symptoms of PTSD have had a qualitative negative impact on your life.
Symptoms of PTSD can manifest as distressing dreams, memory problems, a feeling of constantly being on guard, or self-destructive behaviors such as drinking too much or driving too fast.
In order to make a diagnosis of PTSD, your doctor will most likely conduct a physical examination, take you through a psychological evaluation to discuss your symptoms, and make a recommendation based on criteria standardized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Never underestimate the effects of a car crash. If you are worried about your state of mind after an accident, discuss your concerns with a personal injury attorney at Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC.
Our clients appreciate the knowledge and commitment we bring to their cases and our willingness to work closely with them, keeping them fully informed so they can make the right decisions. Call 219-769-2900 for a free consultation today. Visit the USAttorneys website to learn more about car accident injury claims in Indiana.
Marshall P. Whalley & Associates, PC
1499 Martin Luther King Drive, #64215
Gary, IN 46401
219-769-2900