When a victim is involved in an accident and they suffer physical injuries, those injuries are usually evident. Broken bones, bruises, contusions, etc., all leave their mark, whether for a short while or permanently. However, what many people do not realize is that accident victims often suffer emotional trauma, as well, especially if the accident was a serious one.
At Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn, our Virginia injury attorneys have successfully represented many clients who developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after they were involved in accidents caused by other parties. Any victim who suffers from PTSD may be entitled to financial compensation for the losses this condition has caused them, just as they do for physical injuries.
Who Is Affected by PTSD?
Many people are familiar have heard about PTSD and how it affects war veterans but are unaware that it can affect both children and adults, triggered for all kinds of reasons. In fact, according to national data, PTSD affects approximately 3.5 percent of adults in this country every year, and an estimated one in 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime.
Other national data has revealed that approximately nine percent of all car accident victims will develop PTSD after a crash. If a victim has other emotional issues they were dealing with at the time of the accident, they may be more at risk of developing the disorder. Fourteen percent of victims who are seeking mental health treatment and are then in a vehicle accident will develop PTSD. And almost 30 percent of victims who seek mental health treatment following the crash and are diagnosed with PTSD have also been diagnosed with other mental health issues, such as depression. Fifteen percent of victims report they now have a fear of driving.
Although some accident victims may be more susceptible to developing the disorder, even someone who had no prior mental health issues can be severely traumatized by an accident. Victims report suffering from severe anxiety, uncontrolled flashbacks of the accident, and memory loss. PTSD can have a significant impact on a victim’s ability to work, go to school, or just enjoy life.
Virginia injury law considers PTSD a verifiable injury and victims are entitled to seek damages from the party responsible for the accident that caused the PTSD. A skilled Virginia Beach injury attorney will be able to prove that the incident has left you suffering from the disorder and that you have had economic and/or non-economic losses because of it. These damages can include medical expenses for treatment, loss of income if you are unable to work, emotional pain and suffering, and more.
Contact a Virginia Personal Injury Attorney for Assistance
If you have been in an accident caused by another party and are suffering from PTDS and/or other injuries, contact a Virginia car accident attorney to find out what legal options you may have. Not only may you be entitled to medical expenses and loss of income, but you may also be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, emotional anguish, permanent disability, and any scarring or disfigurement your injuries may leave.
The legal team from Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn has been advocating for injured clients since 1985 and will do all we can to ensure you receive the best possible outcome under the circumstances of your case. If you would like to meet with one of our skilled Va. car accident attorneys to find out how we can help, call us today at 800-752-0042 for a free case evaluation.
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An experienced personal injury attorney with dual licensure in Virginia and North Carolina, Eric Washburn received a B.B.A. in Finance from James Madison University—initially worked in the information technology field before obtaining his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Once an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Danville, Va., Eric has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” Super Lawyer in Virginia since 2014.
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