PTSD After Being Injured In A Miami Car Crash: What You Need To Know

PTSD After Being Injured In A Miami Car Crash: What You Need To Know

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is defined by Mayo Clinic as a mental health condition that’s triggered by either witnessing or personally experiencing a terrifying event. If you suspect that you may have developed PTSD after being injured in a Miami car crash, here’s what you need to know about the disorder.

You’re Not Alone, And There Is Hope For The Future

MVA (motor vehicle accident)-related PTSD is much more common than most of the general public realizes. Experts estimate that this type of PTSD may affect as many as 2.5 to 7 million people in the United States; in fact, traffic accidents have become the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder for Americans since the Vietnam War. According to one study, as many as 39.2% of MVA survivors develop PTSD. The American Psychological Association has gone so far as to call this a “significant health problem” for the nation.

In Florida, where the auto accident fatality rate is the third highest in the nation, the prevalence of PTSD among car accident victims is likely to be even higher than the national average. If you have developed PTSD after being injured in a Miami car crash, you need to know that you are not alone, and that it’s not weakness on your part that is causing your distress. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a real, documented mental health issue that can affect you mentally, physically, and emotionally. It has changed the lives of many people who were also involved in motor vehicle collisions, but many have also been able to find treatment, resolve their symptoms, and move forward with their lives – you can do the same with the right help!

What The Indicators/Symptoms Are

There are many ways that PTSD can present itself. Everyone’s response may be different, and there are a wide range of symptoms that you may experience. You may have MVA-related PTSD after being injured in a Miami car crash if:

• You are re-living the crash in your mind repeatedly.
• You are having nightmares about the crash.
• You are having flashbacks or feel physically as though the crash is recurring.
• You have strong feelings of distress when something reminds you of the crash.
• You have a physical reaction, such as a surge in your heart rate or sweating or dizziness when you’re reminded of the crash.
• You are actively avoiding thoughts, people, places, feelings, and conversations that remind you about the crash.
• You’re intentionally keeping yourself busy so you don’t have to think about the crash.
• You’re having difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• You’re feeling irritable or having angry outbursts.
• You’re having difficulty concentrating.
• You’re feeling constantly on guard or in danger.
• You’re jumpy or easily startled.
• You can’t remember important details of the crash.
• You’ve lost interest in activities you used to enjoy prior to the crash.
• You feel distant from your loved ones.
• You’re finding it hard to feel happiness, excitement, or affection.
• You have a sense that you won’t have a normal lifespan.

It’s important to know that the onset of PTSD can be delayed for months after the crash and that PTSD may look different in children. If you are experiencing a few of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Some of these symptoms may actually be associated with your physical injuries (for example, if you can’t fall asleep, it may be because you’re in pain, or it may be because you have developed PTSD).

A Medical Professional Can Help You

Early intervention and treatment can help your PTSD symptoms from worsening and make it more likely that those symptoms can be resolved in a shorter period of time. Get a full medical examination as soon as possible following your accident, even if you believe that you are only hurt physically, as you may be still running on adrenaline and not aware of the extent of the emotional damage you have endured. If it has been a few months since the accident, and you begin experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor immediately to get an evaluation.

If you are diagnosed with MVA-related PTSD after being injured in a Miami car crash, treatment may include psychotherapy or other forms of professional counseling and potentially medication. The goal of treatment will be to help you return to your level of functioning before the accident occurred.

You Can Recover Monetary Damages

Living with and treating PTSD can be extraordinarily expensive, much more than victims may realize. Barbara Rothbaum, the director of the trauma and anxiety recovery program at Emory University School of Medicine, shared that “PTSD has one of the highest costs to treat of any disorder”. A study by Rand found that the annual cost of treatment can be up to $4,724 or more, and that’s just in terms of counseling costs and medications; when the cost of lost productivity, including lost wages, is factored in, that could be $7,000 a year or higher, Rand notes. Depending on the severity of your case, you could require treatment for several years, and pay these costs in addition to your other medical bills to treat your other physical injuries.

When you develop PTSD after being injured in a Miami car crash that wasn’t your fault – that was caused by someone else’s negligent actions – you shouldn’t have to pay these costs on your own. However, the insurance company of the person responsible may not be willing to pay you the full amount that you deserve, which is why you need to contact Miami auto accident injury lawyers who can fight for justice for you! At The Florida Law Group, we work to win maximum compensation on behalf of injured car accident victims and those who suffer from PTSD as a result of the accident. Since 1984, we have recovered over $1 billion dollars in damages, and we are confident that we can recover a sizable settlement for you! You never pay us until we win your case. We understand that nothing can change what happened, but getting a settlement can help you find closure, ensure that you get quality care, and prevent you from having to worry about finances while you are healing from your symptoms. Call our Miami office today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options with our experienced, compassionate attorneys!