What to Know About PTSD and Your Maryland Auto Accidents
After being injured in a serious accident, it is not that uncommon for some people to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. There are well over five million accidents across the country each year. Of those, at least two million or more result in injuries. Some of those injured will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. If you believe that you are suffering from PTSD after an injury car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced Maryland auto accident attorney as soon as possible.
Risk Factors for Developing PTSD After an Auto Accident
Some people may have a higher risk of developing PTSD than others. Several of these factors can include:
- Having a history of prior trauma
- There is a family history of psychopathology
- You lack the needed social support after the accident
- You have prior psychological adjustment problems
- You suffer from dissociation during or immediately following the accident
- You are perceived as a life threat to yourself or others
- You experience high levels of emotion (like horror, fear, shame, helplessness, etc.) during the accident or immediately after
Proving PTSD After an Accident
For a professional to diagnose someone with PTSD, there are certain symptoms that must be present. These are:
- Numbing or Avoidance: When you do not want to be around anyone or the place that reminds you of the accident. It is normal to have some anxiety, but if avoidance keeps you from conducting your normal daily activities, it may be a sign of PTSD.
- Intrusion: Do you keep replaying the accident? Are you having repeated nightmares, flashbacks, or are you continuously thinking about the accident? Any of these symptoms may be a sign of PTSD.
- Negative Mood Changes: If you become very depressed or down after the accident, it could change the way you view things. If you start to believe that driving is unsafe after the accident, it could be a sign of PTSD.
- Hyper-Arousal: If you have developed a nervous anxiety response to things related to the accident, things that did not bother you before, it could also mean PTSD. For example, if you have an increased heart rate, stomach butterflies, sweating, or increased respiration, etc., centered around certain events that did not bother you before the accident, it could be PTSD.
Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
There are ways that PTSD can be treated, it is not something that you have to live with forever. When you get the right care, you can learn how to manage your PTSD symptoms in an attempt to get back to your daily life. Even if you are on the fence about your symptoms, it is imperative to speak with someone to find out for sure.
Contact a Charles County Personal Injury Attorney
Recovering compensation for PTSD is possible if you are able to prove liability against the at-fault party. Maryland follows the very strict contributory negligence rule. This means that if you are even 1% at fault for the accident, you will be barred from recovery. It is important to speak with a skilled Charles County auto accident attorney to increase your chances at recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact the Law Office of Robert R. Castro today at 301-870-1200 to schedule an initial consultation.
