Are You Suffering From PTSD After A Tampa Car Accident?

Catania and Catania | February 26, 2025 | Car Accidents

According to some studies, car accident victims have an increased risk of developing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Traffic accidents have become the leading cause of PTSD since the Vietnam War. It is estimated that nine percent of accident victims who survive a serious car crash develop PTSD symptoms. 

Therefore, if you were involved in a car accident, you could be experiencing PTSD. Understanding more about PTSD and its symptoms can help you know when to seek medical treatment after a car crash.

Can You Get PTSD After a Car Accident?

Yes, it is possible to develop PTSD after a car accident. PTSD is a mental health condition that may be brought on by the experience or witnessing something terrifying, like a serious car crash. Symptoms may not appear immediately and can surface weeks or even months after the incident. According to the American Family Physician, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of PTSD in the general population.

PTSD following a road accident can be very severe as it is an uninjured, sudden, stressful event. Unlike other traumas, the experience of a car accident usually has a multifactorial composition, such as physical injury, financial problems, and court issues. Victims are also likely to develop secondary psychosomatic disorders like depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

With the high rate of traffic accidents in Florida due to congested roadways and high tourism, PTSD among car accident survivors is a major concern. It has been noticed that individuals who suffer from severe crashes and also face the death of their loved ones are likely to experience long-term PTSD. Early intervention and seeking legal advice could assist victims in moving through the process while compensation for medical treatment and emotional distress is made available to them.

Common PTSD Triggers After a Car Accident

PSTD Triggers Following a Car Accident Common triggers are necessary to understand how to deal with the symptoms of PTSD. In addition, after the car accident, an individual might feel an increased level of anxiety or distress around things that remind them of the traumatic occurrence. Some of the common triggers are:

• Driving or Riding in a Car: Driving a car may remind one of the car accident and trigger panic attacks or intense anxiety.
• Passing the Accident Scene: The person may experience flashbacks or strong emotional responses if he/she passes the site of the accident.
• Sounds Associated with the Accident: The sounds of sirens, screeching tires, or loud bangs can remind the victim of the accident.
• Media Coverage of Similar Accidents: News or movies related to car accidents can also evoke painful memories.
• Conversations About the Accident: Discussing the event or hearing others talk about similar experiences can provoke anxiety.
• Smells or Sensations: The scent of gasoline, rubber, or certain weather conditions resembling those at the time of the crash can bring back distressing memories.
• Feeling Trapped: Experiencing situations where one feels confined, such as crowded places or elevators, may cause anxiety for individuals who were trapped in a car during an accident.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

PTSD is a diagnosable mental health condition. The disorder impacts individuals who have been through a traumatic event. In most cases, the traumatic event resulted in life-threatening situations.

Examples of traumatic events that can cause a person to develop PTSD include:

• Serving in the military in a war zone or combat
• Sexual assault
• Violent acts
• Natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, fires, tornadoes, and hurricanes
• Motor vehicle accidents, including car crashes, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle crashes
• Witnessing the death or traumatic injury of a loved one or family member

A person with PTSD may experience debilitating symptoms. In some cases, PTSD can be more debilitating than the person’s physical injuries sustained in a car accident.

Recognizing PTSD Symptoms after a car accident

Signs and symptoms of PTSD will not occur in the direct wake of your car accident but most of the time, weeks, months, or even years thereafter. You suffer from PTSD symptoms for at least one month to extend your level of disturbances for daily life or emotional functioning/relationships. A medical professional diagnoses someone with PTSD since the presence of the listed below categories containing symptoms is viewed:

1. Re-Experiencing of the Event

Experiencing symptoms makes one feel like a living-through-it-all-over-again occurrence of the trauma. These might be:

• Flashbacks: The mind holds vivid, very distressing recollections of the accident, like revisiting the actual scene.
• Nightmares: Frequent sleep disturbances with related upsetting dreams about the accident.
• Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted thoughts repetitively coming into memory about the accident disrupting daily activities.
• Strong Emotional and Physical Reactions: Feelings of panicking, heart rates, or other physical symptoms, including sweating, when any reminder of the accident is brought forth.

2. Reactivity or Arousal Symptoms

PTSD can keep the nervous system in a heightened state of alertness, making it difficult to relax or feel at ease. Common arousal symptoms include:

• Being Easily Startled: Reacting intensely to loud noises, sudden movements, or anything reminiscent of the accident.
• Constantly Feeling on Edge: Experiencing persistent tension, fear, or an inability to relax.
• Difficulty Sleeping: Insomnia, frequent waking, or nightmares that disrupt restful sleep.
• Irritability and Anger: Frequent mood swings, frustration, or outbursts without a clear cause.

3. Avoidance Symptoms

To cope with PTSD, many individuals try to avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event. Avoidance behaviors may include:

• Refusing to Drive or Ride in a Car: Fear of being in another accident leads to avoiding vehicles entirely.
• Steering Clear of the Crash Location: Avoid the place where the accident occurred, even if it disrupts daily life.
• Avoiding Conversations About the Accident: Refusing to discuss what happened or shutting down when others mention it.
• Losing Interest in Activities: No longer enjoying hobbies, socializing, or engaging in daily routines.

4. Mood and Cognitive Symptoms

PTSD also affects thoughts, emotions, and overall mental well-being. Cognitive and mood-related symptoms may include:

• Persistent Sadness or Depression: Feeling emotionally numb, hopeless, or detached from loved ones.
• Negative Thoughts About Oneself or the World: Believing the world is unsafe or feeling constant guilt and shame.
• Difficulty Remembering Details of the Crash: Forgetting important aspects of the accident, even though they once seemed clear.
• Withdrawing from Family and Friends: Avoiding social interactions, feeling isolated, or losing trust in others.

These symptoms can significantly disrupt a person’s ability to work, maintain relationships, and complete daily activities. It is crucial to seek medical attention if you experience any of these signs of PTSD.

What Treatments Do Doctors Prescribe for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Treatments for PTSD vary and depend on the severity and type of symptoms as well as individual patient needs. No single treatment plan works for all patients. Treatment varies from one to another; what may benefit one patient would not do great for another person.

1. Medications for PTSD

Medications offer symptom relief or help an individual engage effectively in therapy as well. Popular medications include:

• Antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs): These include sertraline and paroxetine, which improve mood disorders and anxiety symptoms. 
• Prazosin: Generally prescribed to help people with reductions in nightmares and sleep disturbances related to PTSD. 
• Anti-anxiety medications: On certain occasions, a doctor may prescribe benzodiazepines for short-term relief of severe anxiety. These are not recommended for the long term because of the risks of addiction to them. 

2. Therapy and Counseling

The mainstay of treatment for PTSD is therapy. Physicians may prescribe one or all of the following:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Assists an individual in learning to recognize and alter thought patterns that contribute to their trauma.
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Individuals are gradually exposed to traumatic memories and situations in a very controlled environment with the goal of reducing avoidance behaviors.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A specific type of eye movement is utilized to help process and integrate traumatic memories.
• Supportive group therapies: In a small group, with member support, he is allowed to share his experiences, difficulties, and coping strategies with similar situational persons.
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction: This is a kind of meditation technique which have adapted some deep breathing and relaxation techniques from the art to control stress and modulate emotional response.

3. Lifestyle and Coping Strategies

• Exercises: Regular exercises decrease the level of stress by producing endorphins, which uplifts mood.
• Journaling: Writing down traumatic experiences will help in processing those emotions and reduce stress.
• Social Support: Continuation with family or friends or support groups may give confidence and encouragement. 
• Sleep Hygiene: A sleep-promoting habit alleviates some of the symptoms of PTSD. 
• Diet and Nutrition: In taking appropriate amounts of nutritionally balanced food, maintain mental well-being and energy levels.

Although there is no cure for PTSD, it is possible to learn to modulate the symptoms of the disorder. Many make great strides with a combination of treatment, therapy, and coping mechanisms and again regain some sense of control over their lives.

How to Handle PTSD After a Car Accident?

Managing PTSD involves a combination of professional treatment and personal coping strategies. Here are some approaches to consider:

• Seek Professional Help: Consult a mental health professional experienced in trauma therapy. Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have proven effective in treating PTSD.
• Medication: In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to help manage symptoms.
• Support Groups: Joining a support group can provide a sense of community and understanding, allowing individuals to share experiences and coping strategies.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help reduce stress and improve emotional regulation.
• Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep can positively impact mental health.
• Journaling: Writing about your experiences and emotions can help process trauma and reduce stress levels.
• Gradual Exposure Therapy: The gradual induction of the patients into the situations they always avoided; for example, driving short distances with someone they trust. Art therapy will involve art expression, music even, or anything related to dancing or sport to release emotion and cope with trauma.

With early recognition of PTSD symptoms and appropriate help-seeking behavior, the condition can be successfully recovered. If left untreated, PTSD worsens over time, and it will be increasingly difficult to cope with daily responsibilities and emotional well-being. A study from Mind Diagnostics highlights the importance of early intervention, therapy, and support systems in reducing the long-term impact of PTSD.

Can I Receive Compensation for Damages Caused by PTSD After a Car Crash?

Yes, you can include the damages related to PTSD in your car accident claim. However, you would need to discuss whether your case meets the serious injury threshold required to file car accident lawsuits in Florida.

Florida’s no-fault car insurance laws require accident victims to sustain serious injuries defined by statute before they can sue the at-fault driver for damages. 

However, if your injuries meet the serious injury threshold, you can sue the driver for non-economic damages and economic damages, including:

• The cost of medical care and personal care for physical injuries
• The cost of therapy and counseling for PTSD and other mental health disorders caused by the car crash
• The loss of income and benefits, including decreased future earning potential
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental trauma and emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life or quality of life
• Permanent disabilities and impairments

Because the laws regarding car accident claims and lawsuits can be difficult to understand, it is generally in a person’s best interest to talk with a Tampa car accident lawyer. 

There are deadlines for filing claims related to car accident injuries. You do not want to miss these deadlines or make a mistake that could hurt your chance of recovering compensation for your injuries.

Therefore, seek legal advice as soon as possible. An auto attorney can explain your legal options, including the possibility of filing a claim against the driver who caused the car wreck.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Tampa, FL

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Tampa, FL, and need legal help, contact our Tampa car accident lawyers at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers
Bank of America Plaza
101 E Kennedy Blvd #2400
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 222-8656

We also provide legal assistance throughout the Tampa Bay Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and Bradenton.