It is easy to see and understand how a physical injury debilitates a car crash victim, causes pain and suffering, and negatively impacts their quality of life. Seeing the blood and torn flesh of a compound fracture, and the potential for infection and amputation will make the typical person queasy. Reading in a news article about a damaged spinal cord and the resulting paralyzation of a motorcyclist will bring tears to the eyes of strangers. However, mental injuries are rarely discussed in the media, are not addressed in trauma hospitals, and are often ignored or unnoticed by family members caring for auto collision victims. And, mental injuries, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), may have a greater impact on a victim’s recovery and life in the future than a broken bone, laceration, or whiplash will ever have.
Veterans and Car Crash Victims Alike Suffer from PTSD
Many people understand that soldiers suffer from PTSD, among other mental health complications that lead to suicide attempts. The current rate of suicide for veterans is 20 lives per day across the U.S., according to USA Today. Since 2005, more than 78,000 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have taken their own lives, according to KUNC, which is far more fatalities than suffered in the Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam wars combined. What many people fail to understand is that victims of traffic collisions suffer some of the same types of mental health issues that soldiers do, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is a disorder caused by a terrifying event and can be triggered by similar events throughout the victim’s life. Symptoms include severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts regarding the event, according to the Mayo Clinic. PTSD can have a debilitating effect on a person’s job, personal life, relationships, and ability to drive, ride a motorcycle or bicycle, or be anywhere near traffic.
Getting Tested for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
In order to receive compensation for PTSD damages, you need to be tested for PTSD by a mental health professional. Various hospitals and health institutions can provide this type of testing, and it should be done in a matter of weeks, or a few months, after the collision. PTSD testing is accurate, and can vastly help the validity of your personal injury claim when it gets sent off to the opposing party’s insurance company. Insurance adjusters will have a much harder time diminishing or disproving the severity of your PTSD if it is proven by a medical professional. Whether your PTSD lasts only for a few months or it lasts for years or your life, you deserve significant and fair compensation.
Kansas City Victims of PTSD Need Legal Help
PTSD is a form of serious damage and should be included in personal injury claims whenever present. A Kansas City, Missouri Car Accident attorney can help ensure that you are tested and compensated fairly for any PTSD that you suffer from. Call the Krause & Kinsman Law Firm at 816-399-3356 to schedule a free consultation today.
