Unfortunately, car accidents are common in the Palmetto State, with one occurring every 3.6 seconds, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. In the aftermath, many survivors will have physical injuries from the accident. Broken bones, bruises, and even cuts are uncommon in these crashes. However, one injury that no one talks about is the mental health effects stemming from these incidents.
While it is expected to be a little hesitant to get back on the road and continue living your life, what happens when that anxiety turns into fear that slowly consumes your day-to-day life?
Unfortunately, those who have lived through a vehicle crash in Columbia often suffer from PTSD. Many of our clients at The Solomon Law Group have experienced the same, and we know the traumatic effects of these events.
Once you can identify the signs of PTSD after a car accident, you can get the help you need and work to recover compensation for this type of psychological damage.
The Mental Health Impact of a Car Accident
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder. It occurs after someone has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, such as a car accident. In fact, vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of PTSD in the population. According to a National Institute of Mental Health study, approximately 39.2% of vehicle accident survivors go on to develop PTSD. These individuals will experience intense feelings of fear, helplessness, and horror that can persist for months or even years after the traumatic incident.
Unfortunately, PTSD can interfere with a person’s daily life activities. This disorder often makes it hard for individuals to complete basic daily activities. People with PTSD may experience intense and overwhelming emotions, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
Along with the above, they may exhibit other types of behavior after the accident.
Symptoms of PTSD After a Car Accident
When it comes to symptoms, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. They can vary from person to person. However, PTSD often includes intrusive memories, avoidance, mood and thought changes, and hyperarousal.
Intrusive memories can be triggered by anything related to the accident. This can range from the sound of breaking glass to the smell of gasoline. When a car accident victim is exposed to these triggers, they can experience the traumatic event involuntarily. Many times, they will have recurrent, unwanted memories or upsetting dreams. Sometimes, they can feel a sense of panic when reminded of the accident.
With the possibility of reliving these memories, individuals may avoid anything related to the event and refuse to discuss it. For car accident survivors, this can include avoiding:
- Driving or riding in a car
- Certain roads or intersections
- Any other situations that may trigger memories of the accident
Living with PTSD can become stressful for those affected individuals. Often, they will have low self-esteem due to the constant reminders of the accident and their inability to move past the accident.
These individuals might have memory problems and even face challenges in maintaining relationships. For those who have loved ones suffering from this disorder, it can lead to strained relations as they might not know how to help their family member.
Like many mental health disorders, individuals do have a sense of hopefulness about the future and loss of enjoyment in previously loved activities. All these factors can affect a person’s quality of life.
Hyperarousal is another symptom of PTSD after a car accident. Heightened anxiety, irritability, and difficulty sleeping are found in those who suffer from hyperarousal. Victims may feel on edge or easily startled. These symptoms can even become physical, as a person with PTSD will often experience a racing heart or heavy sweating.
Treatment and Legal Options
Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for PTSD. Therapy, medication, or a combination of both methods helps individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. However, the long road to recovery can take time and money. And if someone else was responsible for your mental health injuries, they could be liable for these expenses.
Most of the time, the focus of many lawsuits remains on the physical and economic losses suffered in a crash. But emotional and mental injuries can be very disruptive in a person’s life. With PTSD, many individuals will feel the effects of the accident for many months and even years to come. Crippling anxiety and sudden fear can make them unable to manage daily tasks.
If you believe you are suffering from the signs of PTSD after a car accident in Columbia, reach out to a qualified counselor or therapist to be properly diagnosed with the anxiety disorder.
After that, it may be time to contact a skilled personal injury lawyer to see how you can recover damages related to this unseen injury. At The Solomon Law Group, LLC, we offer free consultations to discuss your case.
