According to Cleveland Clinic research, you can get PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from a car accident or any other traumatic or life-threatening event. In the immediate or distant aftermath of a serious car accident, you might experience symptoms of PTSD, including:
- Repetitive, intrusive memories
- The feeling of reliving the accident
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares
- Persistent negativity, fear, or anger
- Disinterest in previously enjoyed activities
In addition to its emotional factors, PTSD might also be accompanied by physical symptoms, including nervousness, jumpiness, lack of focus and concentration, and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can limit your ability to care for yourself or work to support yourself or your family.
You might have had these signs right after an accident or may not feel them until long after the accident has passed. If you or anyone else who was riding in your car at the time of the accident experiences any of these PTSD warning signs, seek treatment from your doctor or a mental health professional right away.
Treating PTSD After a Car Accident in Los Angeles
Like the physical injuries you sustain in a car accident, PTSD requires prompt, professional treatment. Cleveland Clinic health care professionals and researchers recommend the following types of treatments:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, including forms of prolonged exposure, thought mastery, patient education, and mindfulness
- Cognitive processing therapy, including thought management, emotional therapy, emotional monitoring, and development of coping skills
- Cognitive restructuring therapy including thought transformation, journaling, and coping skills that help manage post-accident fear and anger
Some cases of PTSD might also require drug therapy for symptom management. No two cases of PTSD are identical, which means a mental health professional might recommend a completely custom treatment or combination of treatments to treat your symptoms. While your health care team helps you manage your PTSD, your legal team may be able to help you start building a solid compensation claim.
Recouping the Costs of PTSD Treatment and Other Damages
A personal injury claim might help you recoup the costs of treating the mental and emotional pain and suffering that often accompany PTSD and the physical injuries you sustain in a car accident. California Civil Code (CIV) §1431.2 may entitle you to the following recoverable damages after a car accident:
- Accident-related medical expenses
- Accident-related loss of earnings
- Car repair or replacement costs
- In-home medical or domestic care
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
Provide your legal team with copies of your health care records and bills or allow them to obtain them on your behalf. These records may help your legal team prove the injury portion of your compensation claim. Along with your medical records, your car accident report might also help your legal team prove the severity of your Los Angeles car accident.
Obtain a Copy of Your Los Angeles Car Accident Report
A car accident report can help your lawyer prove the cause of the accident you were involved in. By doing so, it might also prove your right to financial compensation due to negligence.
In addition, your crash report can supplement the details in your medical records that help document the depth and severity of your physical and emotional injuries. Obtain a copy of your car accident report or let your legal team know if your injuries prevent you from doing so. They might be able to obtain a copy on your behalf.
Proving Cause with Your Car Accident Report
Your California car accident report may indicate the following factors that help identify the cause of the accident and point toward the at-fault driver’s liability:
- Driver distraction codes
- Driver actions preceding the crash
- Primary collision factors
- Field sobriety test results
- Witness observations
- Accident scene diagrams
Your car accident report might also help your legal team prove the physical and emotional damage caused by a car accident. It may tell your legal team the extent of your immediately apparent injuries, whether or not you were trapped in or ejected from the vehicle, and your physical and emotional state at the accident scene. Your lawyer may combine these notes and details with your medical records to assign a monetary value to your claim for financial compensation.
Get Legal Help Today
If you believe that you got PTSD from a car accident in Los Angeles, Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices may be able to help you seek compensation from the at-fault driver. Reach out to Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices by calling (888) 522-6291 today. Our team is ready to support you and may be able to help you build an effective personal injury compensation claim.