PTSD Is Suffered By as Many As One in 10 Car Crash Victims

If you are involved in a vehicle accident or another accident, you may suffer injuries that are easily diagnosed such as broken bones or soft tissue damage. However, there are a whole plethora of psychological issues that you could face. Some of them like PTSD may not be immediately apparent.

In recent years, researchers have been looking closely at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after car wrecks.

The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs states accidents are the traumatic event most frequently experienced by males (25 percent) and the second most frequent traumatic event females face (13 percent) in the country. More than $100 billion is spent every year to take care of the damage caused by auto accidents.

Although PTSD is sometimes linked to serving in war zones, you don’t need to be a member of the military to suffer from it. People who have been involved in car, truck and motorcycle accidents, can suffer symptoms similar to those of soldiers in war zones. Research on people who seek treatment after a wreck suggests most of those who survive a serious car accident don’t suffer mental health problems. However, a minority of people who have been in car crashes suffer from major depression and anxiety disorders.

How PTSD Can Affect Your Life

These issues can affect family relationships and your career. You can recover money from the insurance company of an at-fault driver if you suffer from these kinds of issues as a result of a crash.

The extent of PTSD suffered after a wreck can depend on a number of variables including the severity of an accident. When a victim fears he or she is going to die, it can increase the likelihood of PTSD.

According to the British Columbia Medical Journal, PTSD occurs in at least 10 percent of survivors of vehicle accidents. Although PTSD takes many forms, it’s usually linked to chronic pain and physical illness. PTSD patients have “objectively worse physical health, worse subjective impressions of their physical health, and use more general medical interventions than do their age and gender peers,” stated the article.

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder can experience disabling memories and anxiety linked to the crash. It’s vital for medical professionals to identify and treat PTSD at an early stage because the issues may spiral if they are left untreated. If you were injured in a car accident and have questions about psychological issues, it’s important to see a healthcare provider. You should also consider talking to our Virginia personal injury lawyers. Call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at (757) 333-3333.