Reasons Why You May Develop PTSD After a Motor Vehicle Accident
A serious injury or motor vehicle accident’s intense and sudden nature is traumatic, and individuals may experience fear, helplessness, or horror during and after the event.
The severity of the crash, such as the extent of the injuries they sustained or property damage, can be burned as images into the car accident victim’s memory and remain highly vivid for some time.
PTSD after a serious auto accident can be caused by a combination of factors, including:
- The severity of the crash,
- The individual’s perception of the event,
- Their personal history of mental illness and their coping mechanisms, and
- Their support system.
Individuals with a family history of trauma or mental health disorders or who have experienced previous motor vehicle crashes may be at a higher risk of developing PTSD
Additionally, those lacking social support, limited coping skills, or facing ongoing stressors may be more vulnerable to developing PTSD after motor vehicle collisions.
How Long Does PTSD Last After a Truck Accident?
The length of time varies depending on the individual’s health status and the trauma’s severity.
Symptoms can last for months or even years if symptoms are left untreated. However, with proper treatment and early identification, the length of time that symptoms last can be reduced.
PTSD treatment options include cognitive therapy, other psychological interventions, group therapy, and anti-anxiety medications. An attractive, reasonably new form of therapy is PTSD virtual reality exposure therapy, which seems effective.
Our Experience With PTSD and Truck Drivers
Trucking companies may find our personal injury services helpful. We often encounter truck drivers with PTSD diagnoses as accident survivors. We have seen up close how debilitating this can be and, thus, regularly include PTSD in the overall damages claim.
If you have developed PTSD after an accident, consider working with our experienced attorneys for injured truckers to negotiate a fair settlement amount. Call us to schedule a consultation today.