PTSD Car Accident Lawsuit – Can I Sue for Post Traumatic Stress

Post traumatic stress syndrome is an affliction that has garnered increasing attention over the past decade. We often hear about heart wrenching stories of soldiers coming back from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffering from severe cases of PTSD. However, war combat is not the only cause of post traumatic stress. Recent published data establishes a link between severe types of accidental injuries including catastrophic auto accidents, truck accident and motorcycle crashes and cases of post traumatic stress disorder. In a recent study MVA (motor vehicle accidents) were determined to be a leading cause of PTSD in the general population. “Conservative estimates suggest that MVA related PTSD may affect 2.5 million to 7 million people in the United States, reflecting a significant mental health problem. Right to Compensation: Under our common law system victims who have suffered any type of harms including psychological harm caused by the intentional, wrongful or negligent conduct of others are entitled to full and just compensation. Such compensation can be used for making a victim whole again including recuperation for the costs of medical care, mental health diagnosis and treatment, lost wages due to inability to work, pain and suffering and properly damage.

Signs and Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress:

There are numerous symptoms of PTSD after an auto accident. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some of the most common are as follows.

• Re-experiencing the traumatic event – including intrusive memories, recurrent feeling you experienced during the traumatic event, mental and physical manifestations when remembering the event, nightmares and night terrors.
• Avoidant symptoms – being disconnected from others and your own feelings, showing a limited range of emotions, avoiding thoughts and feelings associated with the traumatic event.
• Attention deficit symptoms – difficulty being able to concentrate, easily startled, outbursts of emotional sentiment, getting into fights with those around you.

Treatment for PTSD and Anxiety Following an Auto Accident: According estimates some 17,000,000 individuals each year experience a traumatic event, of those close to 25% develop symptoms associated with post traumatic stress. Treatment for PTSD and emotional distress may take many months or years including therapy, prescription and over the counter medication, and psychological analysis resulting in overall costs amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Victims have a rightful claim for recovery of expenses in the treatment of their PTSD. What is the Value of a PTSD Claim: Every case is unique comprising of numerous set of factors which determine its value. Some of the most important factors in determine the value of a car accident claim are as follows.

• Severity of the injury suffered.
• Need for physiological treatment and therapy.
• Pain and suffering including emotional trauma.
• Lost wages and loss of future income due to inability to work.
• Punitive damages – where the defendant displays either an intent to cause physical and physiological harm or extreme recklessness.

Time Line for Filing a Lawsuit: The civil laws of the state of California place a two year statute of limitations on filing a personal injury claim in the court of law. In most instance the two year time limit will be strictly enforces. However in certain circumstances courts may allow for a tolling (or halting) of the statue of limitations. Examples include mental of physical incapacitation of an injured victim or when a plaintiff is under the age of 18. For more information on statute of limitations in personal injury lawsuits see here…. Attorney Consultation: To speak with an attorney regarding a PTSD claim caused by a car accident call toll free (855) 339-8879. All consultations are free of charge. Further Information: Most Common Injuries Caused by Auto Accidents California Car Accident Laws and Legal Guide