Car accidents are very traumatic events, especially if the accident was one that led to serious injuries. When that occurs, the effects of the accident can be long-lasting. The emotional effects, for example, can last long beyond the time it takes for physical injuries to heal.
Traumatic events in a person’s life can lead to conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and other mental health issues. These issues are even possible for a person who has been involved in a serious motor vehicle accident.
Generally, people who have certain risk factors might have an increased chance of getting PTSD after a motor vehicle accident. This includes people who had a poor ability to cope with traumatic events before the motor vehicle accident. Another possible risk factor is having a mental health condition that was present before the accident.
If you suffer from PTSD that was caused by a motor vehicle accident, you will likely have to go through some sort of treatment program to help you learn how to live again. Failing to seek psychological treatment means that you might continue to have symptoms for as long as 6 months or even a year. With that in mind, you can see why you should seek help as soon as you realize something isn’t right after the accident.
Getting treatment for physical injuries can be costly. That cost can be increased for people who also need to seek treatment for emotional effects. When the accident was caused by someone else, you have the option of seeking compensation to help with the costs.