Auto accidents can lead to many types of injuries, both physical and emotional.
Although time can heal physical wounds, auto accident lawyers in Texas know that those caused by traumatic stress may be more challenging to resolve.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD affects more people in car wrecks than most realize.
It is yet another serious injury that auto accident attorneys encounter when helping victims deal with the aftermath of car accidents.
Like other injuries, PTSD requires appropriate treatment.
PTSD - A Considerable Factor in Auto Accidents
PTSD is one a common, yet under-recognized injury that occurs in auto accidents.
According to researchers, it is estimated that 25% of all male and 13% of all female survivors of motor vehicle accidents or MVAs develop PTSD as a result of their trauma.
Overall, about 9% of the general population develops PTSD in relationship to an MVA.1
Of the individuals who actively seek post-accident mental health treatment, it is thought that as many as 60% suffer from PTSD due to their traumatic event.1
While this may seem to be a small percentage of the overall population, auto accident lawyers recognize the enormity of this segment of people potentially suffering from PTSD after a motor vehicle accident or MVA.
Motor Vehicle Accidents - Leading Cause of PTSD
Studies about the occurrence of PTSD suggest that, based on the above estimates and other research, MVAs are one of the leading causes of PTSD.
Auto accident attorneys find that many of the crash victims they represent suffer mental trauma that causes increased anxiety, depression, moments of emotionally re-experiencing the crash, and new fears of driving or even just riding in cars.
Physical injuries sustained in auto accidents are noted to increase the likelihood of a person developing PTSD or increase the severity of the condition.
Many survivors develop a fear of being injured again or dying.
When left untreated, PTSD can result in long-term symptoms that can affect a survivor’s quality of life.
PTSD - A Claimable Injury After MVAs
Auto accident lawyers know that recovering from MVA-related PTSD requires getting the right professional mental health therapy.
It is recommended that those suffering from anxiety or emotional distress after an accident seek professional help as soon as possible to promote faster healing.
When this condition is the result of someone else’s negligence, auto accident attorneys can help their clients make the right accident claims and seek compensation for treatment and other losses encountered when they are affected by MVA-related PTSD.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a known side effect of auto accidents and considered a claimable injury for those affected.
It is not a condition that should be ignored in the hopes that symptoms will resolve on their own.
In Conclusion
Auto accident lawyers point out that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of PTSD and more than half of all sufferers of PTSD have been involved in a car wreck.
Anyone suffering anxiety, depression, flashbacks, or other signs of PTSD after being involved in an accident in Texas should seek medical help first.
They they should talk to auto accident attorneys who can make sure they are able to get the treatment necessary for a full recovery!
Hildebrand & Wilson, Attorneys at Law
7930 Broadway, Suite 122
Pearland TX 77581
1U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, National Center For PTSD: Traumatic Stress and Motor Vehicle Accidents, February 23, 2016
