A car or truck accident can be a traumatic occurrence for anyone. During serious accidents, your body itself is put under a lot of stress. First, it goes through a high-level fight or flight response that triggers adrenaline and can cause temporary physical changes in the body. Second, you could experience an injury that damaged your body and requires long recovery, which can be an emotional and stressful time.
According to experts, though, the impact of a car or truck accident can last long after the physical wounds heal. Studies have repeatedly shown that post-traumatic stress disorder can occur after a motor vehicle accident, though some people are more at risk than others. According to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs around 60 percent of people who seek mental health assistance after being involved in a motor vehicle accident show signs of PTSD, though studies indicate that approximately 9 percent of the overall population of people involved in accidents develop PTSD.
The seriousness of the accident can be a factor in whether PTSD develops. Studies indicate that more serious accidents and injuries — or accidents that had life-threatening implications — were more likely to lead to PTSD. The individual can also be a factor. Someone who has a history of not handling stressful situations well might be more susceptible to PTSD following an accident.
Some variables after the accident can contribute to PTSD risks too. The speed of recovery, support system and whether you have to fight for compensation to be able to recover appropriately can all be factors. If you are experiencing PTSD following an accident, that could be important to any claim you make for compensation and should be information you share with your Atlanta personal injury lawyer.
Source: U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, “Traumatic Stress and Motor Vehicle Accidents,” Todd Buckley, PhD, accessed Oct. 07, 2016