If you have been in a car accident, it’s important to consider the mental and emotional impact that this can have on you. It can sometimes lead to long-term disorders that may impact your ability to make a living or that may require treatment from therapists or counselors.
For instance, car accidents have been linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a disorder that is most often found with combat veterans. Because of the traumatic experiences they have had overseas, where they may have been injured or seen fellow soldiers lose their lives, they could develop PTSD and have flashbacks, nightmares, outbursts and many other such symptoms.
By comparison, being in a car accident may seem like a minor issue, but the reality is that it’s probably the most frightening event in most people’s lives. The average person will never be deployed and in combat, but they do have to commute to work and back every day. An unexpected car accident can be very jarring and could leave them with numerous mental symptoms, including a fear of driving or an inability to even ride in the car.
Factors that increase the risk
Not every car accident has the same odds of causing PTSD. This is most commonly found when the accident has severe ramifications. Maybe the person suffered a very serious injury, like a spinal cord injury or an amputation injury, or maybe a loved one was killed in the crash.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, take the time to look into all of the legal options at your disposal.