Car accidents can be terrifying experiences. So, it is not surprising that many car accident survivors suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an accident.

In fact, it is estimated that about 22.25% of car accident survivors suffer PTSD after a car crash. Given that millions of people are involved in car crashes every year, this means a staggering number of people are suffering from PTSD because of car accidents. 

If you’re suffering from PTSD after a car accident, Grossman Law Offices wants you to know that you’re not alone. Our firm helps car accident survivors get the justice and compensation they deserve, including accident victims suffering from PTSD. 

If you’re suffering from PTSD after an auto accident, there are some things you should know about the legal process that allows you to seek compensation. This post will discuss PTSD, what types of damages you can expect to recover, and what goes into determining your settlement amount. This way, you can proceed with your legal claim with a better understanding of how the process works. 

PTSD Car Accident Settlements

Every car accident case is unique, so there is no reliable way to determine an average car accident settlement amount. However, if you suffer from PTSD after an accident, it is likely that this will increase your potential settlement amount, given how severe and debilitating the condition can be. Some of the other factors that will go into determining your settlement amount may include the following: 

• Who was at fault for the accident, 
• The severity of the injuries incurred, 
• The time it takes to heal from those injuries, 
• The type of treatment your injuries required, 
• The amount of time you had to take off of work, and
• The amount of emotional or psychological trauma you have endured. 

An experienced personal injury attorney can help explain these factors in more detail. Further, after learning the details of your case, they may be able to give you a more accurate estimate of how much compensation you might be able to receive.  

Can I Recover Damages for PTSD After a Car Accident? 

When you are suffering from PTSD after a car accident, you can recover compensation for your tangible losses and your emotional trauma. Generally, people can recover two types of damages after an accident: economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages compensate you for losses that are more easily quantified in terms of monetary value. Some examples of recoverable economic damages include: 

• Property damage costs, 
• Hospital bill costs, 
• Prescription costs, 
• Costs of therapy, 
• Lost wages, and 
• Ambulance costs. 

These are just some examples of the types of economic damages that you can recover. 

Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, compensate you for mental, emotional, and psychological harms that are highly personal. These losses are much harder to quantify, so you will want an experienced lawyer on your side who can properly calculate these damages for you. This is especially true if you have PTSD. Some examples of recoverable noneconomic damages include: 

• Pain and suffering, 
• Emotional distress, 
• Loss of consortium, 
• Loss of enjoyment of life, 
• Permanent or temporary disfigurement, 
• Inconvenience, and 
• Loss of companionship. 

After a car accident, noneconomic losses can be the most substantial losses you suffer. If you suffer from PTSD, you might be able to recover noneconomic damages for the toll your condition has taken on your mental health and emotional well-being.  

What Is PTSD? 

PTSD is a psychological condition that can affect a person after they have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. PTSD can affect your mental, social, and physical well-being. Many people suffer from PTSD after experiencing the following types of trauma: 

• A natural disaster;
• War;
• Serious accidents, including car crashes; 
• Sexual assault; 
• Historical trauma;
• Bullying; 
• Interrelationship violence; or
• Terrorist acts. 

PTSD can affect anyone, no matter their background, age, race, religion, gender, or national origin. People with PTSD can have intrusive, disturbing thoughts and feelings that stem from the traumatic event they experienced. Unfortunately, these symptoms often linger long after the traumatic event happens. Some of the symptoms of PTSD include: 

• Recurring, unwanted memories of the terrifying event;
• Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again;
• Symptoms of avoidance, which include trying to avoid thinking about the traumatic event or avoiding places, people, and situations that remind you of the event;
• Negative changes in thinking or mood, which include negative thoughts about yourself and other people; 
• A general feeling of hopelessness;
• Difficulty maintaining close relationships;
• Feeling emotionally numb; 
• Lack of interest in activities; 
• Being easily frightened or startled;
• Trouble sleeping; 
• Irritability; 
• Trouble concentrating; 
• Overwhelming guilt or shame; 
• Nightmares; 
• Always feeling like you’re in danger; and 
• Self-destructive behavior, like binge drinking. 

PTSD can present itself in a variety of ways, including symptoms that are not mentioned above. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms or another symptom of PTSD, we suggest that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

Grossman Law Offices Is Here To Help You 

If you’re suffering from PTSD after a car accident, the attorneys at Grossman Law Offices are here for you. We have over a decade of experience fighting for victims’ rights, and we have the tools and skills needed to deal with the oftentimes complex cases that arise from car accidents. 

At Grossman Law Offices, we pride ourselves on aggressively litigating cases and standing up to big insurance companies. More often than not, insurance companies try to diminish a victim’s injuries to save themselves money, but at Grossman Law Offices, we don’t let that fly. If you have PTSD, you need an attorney who will fight to ensure that you get the most compensation possible for your condition. 

When you work with Grossman Law Offices, you don’t have to worry about any upfront costs. We offer free consultations, and we work on a contingency basis. This means that you don’t have to pay us until we win your case. Contact us today so that we can help you get the compensation you deserve.