{"id":353101,"date":"2017-01-30T18:54:16","date_gmt":"2017-01-30T23:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/ptsd-car-accident-compensation-claims.html"},"modified":"2025-09-17T13:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:01:10","slug":"ptsd-car-accident-compensation-claims","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/ptsd-car-accident-compensation-claims.html","title":{"rendered":"PTSD Car Accident Compensation Claims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can You Sue for PTSD after a Car Accident?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span> (PTSD) can be grounds for a lawsuit following a car accident<\/span> if it results from the incident. Even without physical injuries<\/span>, you can claim damages for PTSD, which is a psychological condition arising from the accident.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Post-traumatic stress disorder<\/span> (PTSD) is a condition commonly associated with people who have experienced the devastation of war. However, combat traumas are not the only cause. Any traumatic event<\/span> can cause PTSD<\/a>, including a serious <\/span>car accident<\/span>.<\/p>\n

A person can develop this mental health<\/span> condition<\/span> after experiencing or witnessing frightening or life-threatening events such as natural disasters, sexual assault, or a motor vehicle accident<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

When an individual is in a car accident<\/span> severe enough to cause PTSD, there is a good chance they\u2019ll have a legal claim for damages. This article explains what damages you can demand in a car accident<\/span> lawsuit. It also discusses how to substantiate your car accident<\/span> claim<\/span> and what an experienced personal injury attorney<\/span><\/a> can do to assist you.<\/p>\n

PTSD and Car Accidents<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many car accident<\/span> cases<\/span> involve a claim for pain and suffering<\/span><\/a>. For people who suffer the type of emotional trauma<\/span> associated with serious <\/span>car accident<\/span> injuries<\/span>, there\u2019s a decent chance they could receive damages for pain and suffering<\/span>. If your car accident<\/span> attorney<\/span> can prove that you have PTSD stemming from the crash, your damages may be much more significant.<\/p>\n

With the increase in the number of car accident<\/span><\/a> fatalities over the past decade, they\u2019ve become\u00a0one of the leading causes of PTSD. Even in accidents involving relatively minor physical injuries<\/span>, the potential for PTSD exists because it\u2019s a condition tied more to a person\u2019s reaction to an event than the motor vehicle accident<\/span> itself.<\/p>\n

Accidents involving serious injuries<\/span> usually trigger traumatic responses in victims, often leading to emotional distress claims<\/span><\/a>. People suffering from emotional distress and PTSD often experience a loss of quality of life<\/span>. A personal injury attorney<\/span> must prove your condition, as that\u2019s the only way you can recover damages for your PTSD.<\/p>\n

Indicators That a Car or Truck <\/span>Accident<\/span> Victim<\/span> Suffers From PTSD<\/h2>\n

Accident victims<\/span> should seek immediate medical attention after a car crash<\/a>. Once at the emergency room, medical professionals<\/span> will conduct a thorough examination and run the necessary tests to determine whether any physical or emotional injuries<\/span> are present.<\/p>\n

Some of these tests include:<\/p>\n