PTSD & Car Accidents

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition people experience after shocking events. Some studies show that about 40% of car accident survivors show symptoms of mild or moderate PTSD one month after a crash. Please go to the hospital if you notice any of the most common symptoms, including intrusive thoughts or avoidance behaviors. Then call Snyder Heitman Injury Attorneys to talk with a Greenville car accident lawyer about your injuries.

Can You Receive Compensation for PTSD?

Anyone injured in a car accident can request financial compensation for their damages. Many damages are economic in nature, including medical care, physical therapy, lost income or wages, and car repairs. They are “economic” because they are easily quantified in monetary terms.

However, South Carolina accident victims can request compensation for non-economic damages, which are also called “general damages.” These include bodily pain and suffering, as well as mental distress. There is no market value, so the value of these general damages are more subjective.

PTSD is a type of injury which warrants compensation. The most common symptoms include re-living the accident, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, and self-blame. Someone suffering from PTSD can also engage in avoidance behaviors, such as avoiding the area where the accident occurred or avoiding riding in vehicles altogether. This is a significant mental health injury. Although people used to minimize mental harm, about 4 out of 10 car accident survivors deal with symptoms of PTSD.

Generally, you can request compensation for PTSD so long as you are involved in a crash which injures you to some extent. The most common situation is suffering a bodily injury, no matter how minor, as a result of a crash. We can then request compensation for PTSD as well as other general damages for pain. It is much harder to receive compensation in a “near miss” accident where you don’t suffer any contact.

How much can you receive? It depends on the facts of your case. You might receive medical care for PTSD, including prescription drugs or behavioral therapy. Those costs are included in your economic damages. If you need to miss work because of your condition, then lost wages are also part of your claim for economic losses.

But you can also request general damages for the mental anguish that PTSD causes. The amount you demand will depend on the severity and duration of your PTSD. Some people are housebound and cannot maintain friendships because of their intense anxiety and negative emotions.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer

Snyder Heitman Injury Attorneys represents those in Spartanburg, Greenville and Upstate South Carolina when they are injured in a car crash. We can help you fully document your bodily pain, anxiety, and PTSD. Evidence is critical for building a claim that can win compensation from the insurance companies. Reach out by phone or online to schedule your consultation as soon as you can. If hired, we will start gathering evidence to present to the insurance adjusters or a court, if we need to litigate your case.

Source:

mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/7/985