What should you do if diagnosed with PTSD after accident | Paducah, KY

Coping with PTSD after a Car Accident

car accident PTSD

What Should You Do if Diagnosed with PTSD After an Accident?

car accident PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is persistent following a vehicle accident. Not only are car accidents one of the prominent reasons for post-traumatic stress disorder, but studies have revealed that more than 30% of accident survivors suffer from it.

Given the frequency of post-traumatic stress disorder among accident survivors and the life-altering implications that this condition may have, people must recognize what PTSD is. What its symptoms are, and the treatment options available for them.

Furthermore, victims should be aware of their legal rights. No-Fault benefits cover collision-related medical treatment and lost earnings. Victims also have the legal right to sue the at-fault motorist for pain and suffering, including other economic damages.

  • How to cope with PTSD after an auto accident
  • What exactly is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
  • What should you do if you have PTSD after a car accident?

Have trouble finding a personal injury attorney? Our personal injury attorneys can help! We will discuss what PTSD is and how to properly deal with it if you find yourself with the condition when in Paducah, KY.

What exactly is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may develop in individuals who have encountered or witnessed a traumatic event. Natural disasters, severe accidents, terrorist attacks, war/combat, or rape are examples of traumatic vents. Those who have been threatened with death, sexual violence, or sustained significant injury can also have PTSD.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

After a vehicle accident, get medical help for an assessment to evaluate whether or not you need treatment for any of the below PTSD symptoms:

  • Reliving or having flashbacks to the car collision
  • Auto accident-related nightmares
  • Detachment to thinking about or discussing the car accident
  • Being terrified to drive or ride in a car
  • Persistently being numb to emotions.
  • Avoiding past hobbies and pastimes
  • Having a negative outlook on the future
  • Problems with remembering
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Being dissociative in intimate friendships
  • A tendency to get angry easily
  • Committing acts of self-destruction such as suicidal thoughts
  • Sleep problems
  • Being easily startled
  • Something that isn’t there being heard or seen, making you feel nervous or agitated

After a vehicle accident, how long does PTSD last?

After a vehicle accident, the length of time a person has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) varies from person to person. Several things will influence the outcome:

  • How quickly it was diagnosed.
  • How quickly behavioral therapy began.
  • How well it worked.

The response of each victim is also a factor to consider.

What should you do if you have PTSD after a car accident?

If you had PTSD as a result of a vehicle accident, take the following steps:

Request an examination and proper medical diagnosis.

Time may be of the essence, so request an examination right away. The earlier a person receives the necessary diagnostic testing and medical attention for any of these symptoms, the sooner they can rule out potentially fatal injuries. 

Get medical attention and possible referral for a proper diagnosis. A doctor or psychiatrist cannot treat you unless they understand what is triggering your symptoms. The proper diagnostic tests will allow the clinician to give you the optimal course of therapy and make the required referrals.

Document the pieces of evidence.

Prompt documentation with evidence that shows a vehicle accident triggered your PTSD prevents future insurance concerns. For instance, when an insurance company disputes a causal relationship and doesn’t agree to pay for medical care by recording early symptoms. This establishes the temporal link necessary by insurance companies to pay for medical care.

If you were injured in a vehicle accident caused by another driver’s carelessness or negligence, showing a clear temporal link between the accident and treatment for your injury helps you receive complete and fair payment. The longer you wait to get therapy, the harder it is for you to heal and for your lawyer to persuade an insurance company to cover it.

This condition is a significant injury that can be deadly if not treated promptly. There are cases when injuries are taken as a small ailment that would easily heal quickly turned into something considerably worse.

Get help from an auto accident lawyer. Many experienced lawyers have helped PTSD car accident sufferers. That way, you’ll know what your insurance provider owes you and which medical and wage loss benefits you’re entitled to. An attorney can also help you assess the worth of your case if another driver’s recklessness or negligence caused your injuries.

Inform your insurance provider about your diagnosis.

Inform your vehicle insurance company regarding your PTSD and include with it the laws that support your right as an auto accident survivor.

Do not sign any vehicle accident papers before getting proper advice from a car accident lawyer. If your auto insurance provider or the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company or any other insurance company or individual presents you with a settlement, a release, or a waiver, don’t sign it.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for PTSD

According to Kentucky’s No-Fault law’s “priority” requirements, you begin your claim by submitting the application form for No-Fault compensation with the liable vehicle insurance company. The No-Fault insurance will cover your medical costs and missed income if you cannot return to work. This is also called personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.

Can a car accident victim claim for PTSD?

Yes. If your insurance carrier refuses to pay your No-Fault benefits related to PTSD after a car accident, you can sue for 

  • unpaid, long outstanding medical costs,
  • attendant support, 
  • medical mileage, 
  • replacement services, and
  • lost wages due to your injuries.

You can also sue the at-fault motorist for suffering and pain compensation due to your car accident injuries. You have to prove that the other driver was at fault and that your mental health problems represent “severe impairment of bodily function” under the Kentucky auto legislation to do so. If the at-fault motorist has insurance, you may indeed be able to claim for medical expenses you have already incurred as well as lost income.

Treating Post-traumatic stress disorder 

A person may recover from this disorder by identifying the signs, getting early medical care, and following the entire course of therapy prescribed by their doctor. You may use psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and medication to treat this condition.

Other therapy possibilities are as follows:

  • Cognitive-behavioral treatment
  • Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT)
  • Therapy via conversation
  • Exposition treatment
  • Therapy based on acceptance and commitment
  • Therapeutic Relationships
  • Therapy through play
  • Therapeutic group therapy
  • Desensitization and reprocessing of eye movements
  • Mood enhancers
  • Antidepressants
  • Antipsychotics

Consult a Paducah Personal Injury Attorney Today!

If you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident and have PTSD, contact us for a free consultation with one of our Paducah personal injury lawyers. Get in touch with a knowledgeable accident attorney and get the ccar accident PTSDompensation you deserve.

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