Any type of accident, even those that seem minor, can be traumatic. A Florida car accident is no exception to this.
For some people, the accident is so traumatic that it results in PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder.
PTSD Defined
PTSD is a type of disorder that occurs in individuals who have undergone a dangerous, scary, or shocking event or situation. This feeling of distress occurs because of the uncontrollable “fight-or-flight” response that is triggered by the hormones in a person’s sympathetic nervous system after they are involved in some type of high-stimulus accident or event.
The severity of the accident or situation may result in someone developing PTSD.
Symptoms and Signs of PTSD
In many cases, signs and symptoms of PTSD start within about three months of the incident that was traumatic. However, there are situations where they can be delayed and occur several years after the accident or situation.
For the trauma to be considered PTSD, the symptoms must last for over a month and impact the person’s ability to function normally.
There are four basic types of PTSD that may occur after an accident. These include:
- Avoidance: This means that the person tries to stay away from things that remind them of the traumatic accident or event.
- Intrusion: This situation occurs when something occurs or intrudes on a person’s thoughts regularly.
- Alterations in mood and cognition: Some PTSD victims may have distorted thoughts about the event or be unable to remember details.
- Alterations in their activity and arousal: This affects a person’s emotional and physical reactions to stimuli.
Can a Florida Car Accident Victim Recover Compensation for PTSD?
The state of Florida is considered a no-fault state. This means that drivers must file a personal injury claim with their car insurance provider. It does not matter who is at fault for the accident that occurred.
While this is true, Florida allows an accident victim to go past the no-fault system in situations where the victim suffers one of these injuries:
- The permanent and significant loss of a bodily function
- Permanent or significant disfigurement or scarring
- A permanent injury
- Death
If someone suffers from PTSD, it may be possible for them to claim that their PTSD situation occurred because of their accident. It may also be possible for a victim to claim that their injuries have resulted in lost wages or even impacted their performance in some way.
Keep in mind, though, that proving any type of mental health injury can be challenging. Because of this, it is necessary to find and hire an experienced Daytona Beach car accident attorney. With the help of an attorney, you can gather the evidence needed to prove your case and show that your PTSD is related to the accident you were involved in.
While this can be a challenging process, it is not impossible. With the tips and information here, you can recover compensation for your accident claim that resulted in PTSD.