Have PTSD After a Car Accident? You May Have a Claim
Posted October 26th, 2018 by Anthony Carbone, PC.
Categories: Auto Accidents.
You just got into a car accident. It wasn’t too serious, your car only sustained minor damage, and you weren’t injured. However, you notice that driving has become harder and harder. You have mini panic attacks when driving. You dream of the accident. You try to avoid driving at all costs.
Sound familiar? Then you may be suffering from PTSD after a car accident. And you could have a personal injury claim.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder occurs after a person experiences or witnesses a terrifying event. According to the America Psychiatric Association, an estimated 13 to 21 percent of car crash victims develop a form of the disorder following the accident.
Symptoms for PTSD include:
- Re-experiencing the trauma through nightmares and flashbacks
- Feeling numb and keeping an emotional distance from the rest of the world
- Avoiding activities, people, and places that are a reminder of the event
- Becoming easily irritated and angered
- Feeling jumpy
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
It can be difficult to diagnose and treat the disorder since it affects people in different ways. For instance, someone might just be having bad dreams whereas another might have to relieve the bad experience over and over again in a flashback. However, in most severe cases, PTSD can combine hallucinations, paranoia, and the victim could also cause self-injury.
Can I File a Car Accident Claim for PTSD?
Going back to the scenario above, if you have the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, you may be wondering if you can file an injury claim with your insurance company. It’s not like a broken leg or a head injury – is PTSD considered an injury?
The answer to this question is yes – but you need proof. If you believe you have PTSD, your first step is to get a medical opinion on what your next steps are. Once you are properly diagnosed and know what treatment is available, you can then file a car accident injury claim.
But what if the insurance company refuses your claim? What then? Then you’re going to need the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer to help with your claim. For almost 30 years, New Jersey car accident lawyer Anthony Carbone has handled car accident claims across New Jersey. He can advise you on your best course of action and what your next steps should be. If your claim does go to court, there is a chance that you could not only get economic damages such as medical bills or loss of wages. In addition, you could also receive punitive damages such as pain and suffering after the effects.
If you are suffering from an injury at any time after a car accident, it is important to secure competent legal advice. There is no cost to come in to discuss your case. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone today for an immediate appointment.
