Risk of PTSD After a Car Accident

More The Mike Hostilo Law Firm knows that anyone who has been in a major car accident faces the possibility of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. The Risk of PTSD After a Car Accident The number of people seeking mental health care after an accident is estimated to be as high as 60%. According to studies, […]

Published: August 23, 2022

•

The Mike Hostilo Law Firm knows that anyone who has been in a major car accident faces the possibility of developing post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Risk of PTSD After a Car Accident

The number of people seeking mental health care after an accident is estimated to be as high as 60%. According to studies, it is estimated that approximately 9% of people involved in a car wreck experience some sort of PTSD after the accident.

Take a moment and imagine you were in a car wreck and developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the accident. It can be a very scary and confusing time for you as you navigate this traumatic event. We want you to know the Mike Hostilo Law Firm is here for you. This article will provide all the information you need on why you may develop PTSD, the effects of suffering from PTSD, and who to turn to for help when you need it most.

What Are the Risks of Developing PTSD After a Car Accident?

One out of every ten people experience post-traumatic stress disorder after a car accident. Several studies have been conducted to determine the risk factors for developing PTSD after a car accident. The following are just a few of the factors:

● You experienced another traumatic event in your life

● You already suffer from other psychological issues

● There is a history of psychological issues in your family

● The car accident you were in was life-threatening

● You lost someone close to you

The Reasons Why You May Develop PTSD After Being Involved in a Car Accident

The driver is not the only person who is at risk for developing PTSD after an accident; passengers and even witnesses are just as likely to develop PTSD. Many young people begin learning to drive when they are around sixteen years old. By the time they enter their thirties, there is a large chance they have been involved in at least one traffic accident. Luckily, the majority of these car accidents are minor and not life-threatening. However, when an auto accident is severe, the psychological effects can be extremely intense but are often ignored.

You will certainly be traumatized by any major car accident, and the impact can be extremely painful. It's unclear why some people are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder than others but it’s clear that any kind of severe or fatal road traffic accident puts you and other survivors at greater risk of developing PTSD.

Other factors that may contribute to developing post-traumatic stress disorder after an auto accident include:

● Shortage of assistance and resources after being involved in a major traffic accident.

● Statistics show about one in every ten people who are involved in a car wreck will experience post-traumatic stress disorder. Even if the accident was not their fault, the driver might still consider themselves liable. Passengers may also be traumatized by the crash and may refuse to ride in a car or even drive again.

● Anyone who experiences a car wreck, whether they are paramedics, other passengers, or people who were simply present at the time of the accident, can be severely affected. Witnesses are even at risk of experiencing symptoms.

What To Do After a Car Accident

If you are in a car wreck, the Mike Hostilo Law Firm wants to remind you that it is okay to give yourself time to recover. Remember, nothing happens in a day. Accepting the events of what happened to you will take time and learning to live with it can take even longer. Below are some other things you can do that might help after a car wreck:

• Allow yourself time to grieve if you lost someone close to you in the accident.

• Face reality – Find out the actual facts about the accident rather than speculate.

• Get to know other auto accident survivors – Talking with other survivors who have been through a similar situation will help you cope.

• Seek help and support – It is not healthy to bottle up your traumatic experience. Ask for help and support from others.

• Take time for yourself – After a traumatic experience like a car accident, it is completely natural to want to be alone or only with people close to you.

• Discuss the car accident – Take it slowly but encourage yourself to reflect on the experience you went through. Talk about it with others. When you discuss what happened to you, it's completely normal to cry or be angry. Let your emotions out.

• Stick to a routine – It's best to stick to a routine. Eat regularly and make sure you are maintaining a well-balanced diet.

• Engage in "normal" activities with your friends and family. This will help you get through a difficult time and spending time with the people closest to you is an important part of the healing process.

• Take care – Research has shown that if you have been the victim of a traumatic incident, you are more likely to be in an accident than people who have not experienced a trauma. It is necessary to take extra caution around the house and while driving a vehicle.

What Help and Support Is There For Me After a Car Accident?

If you develop PTSD due to a car accident, there are a variety of options and treatments available to you. These treatments have helped people get through the most difficult times in their lives. You may ask for help and guidance from your primary care doctor. They will be able to point you in the right direction and refer you to a specialist. There are many options for therapy available to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of a car crash. Some examples of therapy are as follows:

• Talking treatment which could include counseling and/or psychotherapy

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy

The Mike Hostilo Law Firm wants to remind you that it can be hard to rebuild after a car accident, however, the most important part is allowing yourself the time you need to heal!

More Questions? Discover A Good Car Accident Attorney Near Me | Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

Trust our car accident attorneys to provide top-tier legal representation each step of the way. If you have been hurt in a car crash, our car accident attorneys are here to help – so contact Mike Hostilo Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation!

You can find us serving car crash victims in the following areas:

GEORGIA LAWYERS

(Park of Commerce) Savannah, GA

(Abercorn) Savannah, GA

Statesboro, GA

SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYERS

Beaufort, SC