The injuries that result from car accidents are not limited to physical trauma. According to a new book After the Crash: Assessment and Treatment of Motor Vehicle Accident Survivors published by the American Psychological Association (APA) motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly referred to as PTSD.

There is no denying that being the victim of an accident is a seriously traumatic event. Traumatic stress is experienced by re-living the event, a common occurrence immediately following any violent or life-threatening experience such as a motor vehicle accident. While shock, nervousness, anger and guilt after a car accident are typical, they may evolve into PTSD, particularly if the accident was severe or involved fatalities. If your stress symptoms last more than three months and interfere with the routines of your daily life, you could have the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD.

The three main symptoms of PTSD are:

Re-living the event (flashbacks, nightmares, or obsessive thoughts)

Avoidance (avoiding places and activities related to the event)

A deepened sense of threat when in a situation related to the event (such as traveling in a car)

When you re-live the event:

You may feel intense fear, helplessness or horror.

You may become irritable and unable to sleep when reminded of the event.

Adult victims are not the only ones affected by PTSD. Children, who may not have been otherwise injured, may also display symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The symptoms may not appear until 3 - 6 months after the crash. The symptoms may be even more intense on the anniversary of the trauma date.

After any car accident, if you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, you shouldn’t have to live with it. Check with your doctor and investigate support groups that will help you learn that this is a common issue worth managing now. Seeking medical attention immediately following any accident is mandatory for your health and well-being. Keeping your doctor informed of any stress symptoms will insure you receive the best treatment possible for all your injuries, both physical and psychological.

If you have been involved in a Massachusetts auto accident, contact our office at (800) 930-8145 or (978) 474-8670 for advice on your case.

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