Car accidents are one of the leading causes of post-traumatic stress disorder, a condition that causes a severe decrease in the quality of life. After a car accident or similar traumatic situation, PTSD causes persistent abnormal feelings and reactions long after the danger has passed.

Drivers who experience PTSD may experience panic and anxiety when getting behind the wheel or riding in a car, especially if they are traveling on the same or a similar road as where the accident occurred. Common symptoms of PTSD include recurring intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, dreams, and frequent nightmares about the event, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and other debilitating conditions.

How PTSD manifests itself and what are the treatments

Post-traumatic stress disorder can also cause disruptions in work, school, and relationships. People with PTSD can avoid people and places that remind them of the traumatic event.

Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder often involves cognitive behavioral therapy and sometimes medication. A trained mental health professional can and should help you manage and mitigate PTSD and its symptoms because, if left untreated, PTSD can be a lifelong condition.

Proving PTSD for your case

In court, PTSD-specific and medical parameters are considered beyond the reach of most juries. When seeking compensation after an accident, one or more experts (in this case, a qualified mental health expert) will often be required to testify to support your claim.

However, in some cases, and depending on the circumstances, the opinion of an expert testifying as to whether or not a complainant has PTSD may not be considered. The matter could be left to the jury. Additionally, both the plaintiff and the defendant may call their experts and witnesses in an attempt to refute the other party’s claims.

Since PTSD court cases can be complicated, an experienced attorney can help you strengthen your compensation case.