The Cooper Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Texas who help victims who are suffering from PTSD following a car or truck accident. The focus after any motor vehicle accident is often on the physical injuries that individuals have sustained. However, the psychological injuries following a car accident can be just as serious and life-altering. According to the National Center for PTSD, as many as 8 million adults will suffer from PTSD in a single year. PTSD is not just a condition experienced by war veterans. Any traumatic event can result in PTSD. This includes car and truck accidents. Not all individuals who are injured in a car accident will suffer from PTSD. In fact, individuals can develop PTSD after suffering injuries in even minor car accidents. Post-traumatic stress disorder develops after a person experiences a traumatic event. Some people may be more prone to developing PTSD than others. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with PTSD after a truck or car accident, you and your family may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, and other losses. Contact the Cooper Law Firm, personal injury lawyers in Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas today to learn more.
What are the Symptoms of PTSD?
According to the National Center for PTSD, any traumatic event can lead to the development of this condition. Car accidents and truck accidents are one type of traumatic event that can lead to PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder may not always be diagnosed right after an accident. In fact, the symptoms can take some time to appear. Difficulty sleeping, depression, anxiety, and even nightmares might be normal after a car accident. When these symptoms last for months after the accident takes place, a person might get diagnosed with PTSD. What are the symptoms of PTSD? And how can you know when it is time to seek help?
- Individuals might experience intrusive or unexpected memories of the trauma that can impact their everyday lives. Often, memories can come back if you are triggered, either by seeing a car accident while driving, or hearing a report of a car accident. Flashbacks can also take the form of nightmares.
- If you avoid driving, avoid roads where your accident took place, or find yourself feeling apprehensive when you are in a vehicle, this too could be a symptom of PTSD. Some individuals may try to keep themselves busy to avoid the anxiety of remembering the traumatic experience. Not being able to drive or not being able to ride in a car can be incredibly disruptive to daily life.
- Feelings of sadness or numbness. Following a traumatic event, individuals suffering from PTSD might have difficulty experiencing happy emotions. Trauma can leave a person feeling numb. Or, it can leave you suffering from depression that can interfere with your regular life activities. Individuals may also blame themselves for the car accident.
- Individuals who suffer from PTSD might be jumpy, might feel anxiety, or may use drugs and alcohol to cope.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from PTSD. This condition can impact all aspects of your life, from your ability to enjoy regular activities, your ability to work, and your quality of life. Proper care for PTSD is essential. However, some families might find themselves struggling to afford medical care. Other families may struggle with seeking proper insurance settlements if they are suffering from PTSD after a car accident or truck accident. Claims for psychological injuries can sometimes be more complex than claims made for physical injuries. The Cooper Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Texas who may be able to help you seek compensation for your medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages following your car accident. Our firm can seek damages from negligent parties and help you get the settlement you and your family may deserve from insurance companies. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Treatment Options for PTSD
PTSD, when it is properly diagnosed, is highly treatable. If you experience the symptoms of PTSD, you might begin by seeing a therapist or counselor who will evaluate your symptoms. If you are avoiding certain situations like driving, your therapist might guide you on taking steps to confront your fears and anxieties surrounding driving and riding in a vehicle. Avoidance of perceived dangers can create feedback loops which can make us believe that a situation is more dangerous than it actually is. With therapy, many individuals are able to get back into a car and even are able to drive again. You might also undergo other therapies where you can learn to challenge negative thoughts surrounding the traumatic event. In some cases, individuals might be prescribed medications to treat depression or sleep problems that go along with PTSD.
These are just some of the treatment options available to individuals suffering from PTSD. It is important to be properly diagnosed, to be properly evaluated, and to get the best possible treatment. Failure to get treatment can lead to worse outcomes, lost jobs, drug and alcohol or substance abuse, and other issues. Furthermore, seeking medical care in concert with making a claim for damages can ensure that your family is cared for as you recover from your personal injury. If you have recently been diagnosed with PTSD following a car accident, or if you believe you may have PTSD following your car accident, you may be overwhelmed and unsure about the next steps. Fortunately, the Cooper Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Canton, Van Zandt, Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson, Paris, and Marshall, Texas who may be able to assist you with seeking care and seeking damages following your crash. Contact our lawyers today for a free consultation during which our attorneys can review the circumstances surrounding your accidents and help you understand the next steps.
