Can You Get Compensation for PTSD After a Serious Car Accident or Personal Injury?

By Jackson Law Offices, P.C. May 30, 2018 4 min read

Many people don’t often associate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with events such as car accidents or injuries. Many people tend to associate it with service members who come back from battle and struggle to deal with the things they saw and experienced. In reality, PTSD is not just a condition that service members suffer, but also a condition that victims of accidents and injuries suffered as well. Because PTSD is considered an injury, with the help from the experienced personal injury lawyers at M. Austin Jackson Attorney at Law, you may be able to recover compensation for the PTSD you are experiencing after an accident.

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a psychological disorder that occurs when someone experiences or witnesses a life-threatening event. As stated earlier, it is most often associated with military personnel but can also be associated with people who have been involved in natural disasters, motor vehicle accidents, and sexual or physical assault.

Many people have nightmares, anxiety, and difficulties returning their lives to normal after a traumatic event such as an accident. Normally, these symptoms will subside after a month or so. If someone experiences these symptoms for more than a couple of months, PTSD may be the cause. Common symptoms of PTSD include:

Nightmares of the event
Purposeful avoidance of situations which trigger memories of the event
Depression
The feeling of always being over-alert
Trouble with sleeping
Increased anger and irritability

It’s impossible to know who is more susceptible to PTSD after a motor vehicle accident as both adults and children alike can experience the symptoms. However, typically, the longer that one experiences a traumatic event, the more likely it is for PTSD to develop. An example of this could be someone being trapped in an overturned car for an extended time, rather than being rescued rather quickly.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder From A Car Accident

Research conducted by the United States Department of Federal Affairs suggests that the majority of people who experience a serious motor vehicle accident in their lives will not develop post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the study around only ten percent of people who are involved in a serious motor vehicle accident will develop psychological issues as a result of their accident.

Those who have pre-existing conditions such as depression or anxiety before the accident will often be more likely to suffer from PTSD. The extent of the injuries one suffers is also proven to be a factor in the development of PTSD after an accident. It has also been proven that victims who develop PTSD from an accident are more likely to experience chronic pain as a result of those injuries. Although the reasoning for this is unknown, the effect it can have on a person can be debilitating.

Is Compensation Available for PTSD in Georgia?

In Georgia, PTSD is considered to be an injury and is compensable under personal injury litigation. However, PTSD does need to be diagnosed by a mental health professional to seek compensation. As stated above, because it is normal to experience stress and anxiety after an accident, you cannot simply claim that you have PTSD without a professional diagnosis.

M. Austin Jackson Attorney at Law can supplement this process by seeking the help of an expert witness. An expert witness can help your case by testifying that you are suffering from leading a normal life because of the PTSD you are experiencing after your accident.

Monetary Compensation for Personal Injuries in Georgia

If you have suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident, you are permitted by Georgia law to seek compensation for non-economic damages. These are damages that do not have a precise monetary value. Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish can all be symptoms that are brought on by PTSD. These symptoms do not have economic value, but there are ways to determine a monetary value for these “injuries” that we will show you.

M. Austin Jackson Attorney at Law Can Help You Pursue Compensation for PTSD From an Accident

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a complex psychological disorder that can prove to be life-altering. After a traumatic accident, many people become so overwhelmed that it takes them a while to recognize their symptoms. M. Austin Jackson Attorney at Law will be able to monitor the signs and symptoms of your condition to help you pursue compensation. If you or someone you know has been experiencing PTSD after an accident, contact us right away, so we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.