Although there have been improvements in vehicle safety over the years, millions of people are injured in collisions annually. Some of these individuals involved in serious Sarasota motor vehicle accidents—involving catastrophic injuries—are more likely to suffer psychological problems, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is considered an anxiety disorder that is triggered after a traumatic event that involved a serious injury, the death of another, or the threat of death. While many associate this disorder with war veterans, victims of car accidents can also suffer from this life-altering disorder. Many sufferers of PTSD will experience some of the following symptoms:
- Reliving the accident in their thoughts
- Having nightmares about the crash
- Difficulty sleeping
- Reluctance to drive
- Distancing themselves from others
- Having an absence of emotions (numbing)
- Feeling irritable
- Difficulty working and concentrating
- Constantly feeling anxious
When these symptoms are detected early, there is a greater chance that a victim can recover through treatment; however, many victims, as well as their doctors, fail to identify PTSD following a crash. This is because PTSD symptoms may not develop for weeks or months. When mental trauma is overlooked after a serious Sarasota car accident, victims can suffer mentally and financially. Not only should victims receive mental help to recover, but they need to receive fair financial compensation from the insurance company.
PTSD and Compensation
If victims don’t know they have PTSD, they may miss out on the full amount of compensation they should receive following a crash. This is why it is important that victims do not settle their insurance claims immediately.
If you are constantly thinking about your motor vehicle accident, reliving the crash, reluctant to drive, or living in fear and worry, you may be suffering from PTSD. Never assume that those thoughts related to the accident and your anxiety will go away. Many victims of crashes ignore these signs and settle with the insurance company too quickly.
It is important to seek medical treatment for this disorder and to call a skilled Sarasota accident attorney at Mallard Perez for help at 888-409-3805 for a free legal consultation. You are also invited to request a free copy of our book What You Need to Know After a Florida Auto, Truck or Bike Accident.
