The Car Crash-PTSD Connection
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder primarily affects emergency responders and military veterans. But other people are not immune to PTSD. Car crashes are the leading cause of civilian PTSD, which is a specific kind of brain injury. Extreme stress, like the stress and fear of a serious wreck, causes a chemical composition change inside the brain. The symptoms of this imbalance include hypervigilance, depression, anger, and other classic PTSD symptoms.
A good Oceanside personal injury lawyer obtains maximum compensation for all injuries, not just some of them. Especially in PTSD cases, this process begins with solid medical treatment. As outlined below, the different types of car crash PTSD often overlap. Some forms of car crash PTSD vanish by themselves, but most require extensive medical treatment. An Oceanside personal injury lawyer connects victims with doctors who accurately diagnose and treat PTSD.
Low Speed Wrecks and NSR/ASD
A parking lot fender-bender may be the best example of a non-injury low speed wreck. Although these wrecks usually cause minimal property damage, the personal injury damage could be significant.
Many people think catastrophically. They anticipate the worst possible result. Lisa may believe that every little ache and pain is a symptom of an internal injury. Chain-reaction logic is similar. Joe may think that the insurance claim will make his premiums so high he cannot afford to drive, which means he’ll lose his job, which means he’ll lose his house, and so on. In other words, Lisa and Joe make a mountain out of a molehill.
Normal Stress Response is feelings of anxiety and fear because of a traumatic event. NSR treatments include nonprofessional therapy (talking to someone) and mild over-the-counter sleeping pills.
Acute Stress Disorder is NSR on steroids. The D-word (disorder) usually means the victim sustains a brain injury. As mentioned, the conditions overlap. Untreated NSR usually leads to ASD which, if not promptly and property treated, causes PTSD.
Side Street Wrecks and Complicated PTSD
A side street wreck, such as a collision at a neighborhood intersection, often causes straw-that-broke-the-camel’s-back complicated PTSD. The cumulative effect of small stressful events, such as mild car crashes, periods of unemployment, and deaths in the family, could cause the aforementioned chemical change inside the brain.
C-PTSD includes all the symptoms of uncomplicated PTSD, plus additional symptoms like difficulties in emotional regulation, negative self-perception, and problems with relationships.
If a pre-existing illness or injury, like prior stress, contributes to the risk and/or severity of a crash-related injury, like PTSD, an Oceanside personal injury lawyer can still obtain maximum compensation. Vulnerable victims deserve more legal protection, not less.
High Speed Wrecks and Uncomplicated PTSD
Serious injury and catastrophic (life-threatening) injury cases often cause uncomplicated PTSD. A single stressful event causes this injury. One of the worst kinds of PTSD is also one of the easiest kinds to treat, once again assuming the treating physician is highly experienced in these matters.
Any Wreck and Comorbid PTSD
Many people self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to combat the effects of a lesser form of PTSD, or even the effects of NSR/ASD. When PTSD co-occurs with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders, treatment is more challenging, as it requires addressing multiple conditions simultaneously.
Work With a Savvy San Diego County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Oceanside, contact the Pursley Law Firm. We routinely handle matters throughout the Golden State.
