Your car accident in California might not have left you with any serious physical injuries, but you could still be feeling the effects for months or even years to come. Thousands of people experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after surviving a car accident. You might initially dismiss the symptoms as stress or anxiety, but it’s important to see a doctor if the symptoms continue over the next few weeks.
What are some signs of post-car accident PTSD?
Even relatively minor accidents can be traumatic enough to cause PTSD. You might be suffering from PTSD if you have a fear of driving or riding in vehicles after the accident. PTSD can also cause nightmares, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts about the incident. You might have obsessive thoughts about the accident or find it difficult to stop thinking about it.
Signs of PTSD can also include anxiety, depression, irritability and insomnia. You might have constant feelings of anxiety, even when nothing’s going on. Some people also feel detached from the world around them or suffer from depersonalization. If you think you might be suffering from PTSD after an accident that was caused by the negligence of another motorist, you could hire a personal injury attorney after you talk to your doctor.
Can you sue the other driver for PTSD?
In a lawsuit, the damages don’t have to be physical. You could also be suffering from emotional damages like trauma, PTSD and grief if you lost a loved one. Emotional damages can be just as painful as physical injuries and come with their own set of medical expenses.
An attorney could help you sue the other driver for your trauma and emotional damages caused by the accident. You might have to seek a doctor’s evaluation so that you can prove that you suffer from PTSD.
