Not every injury from a car accident is visible. Many are emotional, leaving you unable to live life the way you did before the crash. One common psychological injury is post-traumatic stress disorder. Discover more about this serious condition and your legal rights by speaking to a Metairie car crash lawyer if it develops after a car accident.
What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after living through or witnessing a traumatic event. These triggering experiences are often life-threatening or deeply distressing.
In the aftermath of an accident, it’s natural to feel emotionally unsettled. You may find yourself replaying the event or experiencing flashbacks that cause significant distress. However, for a PTSD diagnosis, these symptoms must persist for at least a month and meet certain clinical criteria.
While PTSD isn’t a visible injury, its impact can be just as devastating as a physical one, such as a brain injury. It can disrupt your ability to function and live your life normally. So how can you tell if what you’re experiencing is PTSD?
PTSD Symptoms
PTSD symptoms can be separated into a few different categories. For example, it can begin with intrusive memories and thoughts where you experience vivid flashbacks, making it seem like the crash is happening again. It’s common to have nightmares and to feel severe emotional distress about anything that reminds you of the accident.
You may also start avoiding thoughts of the event, steering clear of places, people, or situations that remind you of the accident. Even getting into a car can become a trigger, and you might notice changes in your mood and thinking.
You can also experience:
- Feelings of detachment from family and friends
- Negative thoughts about yourself or others
- Inability to feel positive emotions
- Loss of interest in your favorite activities
- Memory problems
- Emotional numbness
There will also be changes in arousal and reactivity.
You can struggle with:
- Being easily startled
- Sweating and rapid breathing because of triggers
- Self-destructive behavior
- Angry outbursts
- Always feeling on guard
- Insomnia
- Concentration problems
PTSD symptoms can range in severity, and while the condition is complex, it’s not uncommon for your struggles to intensify rather than improve over time.
What Are Your Legal Options if You Developed PTSD After a Crash?
If you developed PTSD after an accident caused by distracted driving, speeding, or any other form of misconduct, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim.
To succeed, you must show that the other party was negligent or engaged in wrongful behavior. This begins with proving they owed you a duty of care and that they breached it—for example, by breaking traffic laws through speeding or driving under the influence.
You must then demonstrate that their actions directly caused your injury and that you suffered losses as a result. In short, a strong claim connects their negligence to your harm and justifies compensation.
Contact the Metairie Car Accident Attorneys at Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Whether you’ve suffered only emotional injuries or a combination of emotional and physical injuries, filing a claim against the liable party can give you the chance to recover losses.
Because these claims are complex, you should hire experienced representation to assist you. With dedicated attorneys, you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
For more information, contact a skilled car accident lawyer at Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
For more information, please contact the experienced Metairie car accident lawyers at Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers today. We offer an initial free consultation.
We proudly serve Louisiana and it’s surrounding areas, including Metairie, Gretna and Kenner.
Santana & Blanchard Personal Injury Lawyers
3500 N Hullen St Suite 17K
Metairie, LA 70002
(504) 323-6000
Our law firm is located near you. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 30.01245719602678, -90.15811234232851
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