After a motor vehicle accident, most people expect bumps, bruises, or a sore neck. But for many survivors, the deepest injury is not physical at all. Flashbacks, panic while driving, and trouble sleeping can follow a crash for months or even years.
If a wreck left you dealing with these symptoms, you may wonder if the law takes mental injuries as seriously as broken bones. At Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, we want Wisconsin drivers to know that post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can be part of a personal injury claim.
What Is PTSD After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a scary or dangerous event. A motor vehicle crash counts as this kind of event. Your brain and body may react to the crash long after the wreck is over.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, PTSD symptoms can last for months and interfere with daily life, work, and relationships. Common signs of PTSD after a crash include:
- Flashbacks or nightmares about the accident
- Feeling anxious, jumpy, or on edge while driving or riding in a motor vehicle
- Avoiding roads, highways, or the location of the crash
- Trouble sleeping or concentrating
- Feeling numb, sad, or disconnected from others
These symptoms can show up right after the crash or weeks later. Either way, they are real and may be directly tied to what happened on the road.
Can PTSD Be Part of a Personal Injury Claim?
Yes. Wisconsin law allows injured people to seek compensation for mental and emotional harm, not just physical injuries. PTSD may qualify as a compensable injury when it is connected to the crash and supported by proper documentation.
What Compensation May You Recover for Your Motor Vehicle Accident PTSD?
A claim that includes PTSD may cover more than medical bills for physical wounds. Depending on your case, you may be able to seek compensation for the following:
- Therapy or counseling costs
- Psychiatric care or medication
- Lost wages if PTSD keeps you from working
- Pain and suffering tied to your mental health
- Ongoing treatment if symptoms continue long-term
Every case looks different. The value of a claim often depends on the severity of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life.
How Do You Prove PTSD After a Crash?
Mental injuries can be harder to show than a broken bone on an X-ray. That does not mean they are any less real. Strong documentation can help connect your symptoms to the crash.
Steps that may help support a PTSD claim include:
- Seeing a doctor or mental health provider soon after the crash
- Getting a formal PTSD diagnosis from a licensed professional
- Keeping a journal of symptoms, triggers, and how they affect your routine
- Following through with recommended therapy or treatment
- Saving records of missed work or canceled plans due to symptoms
Insurance companies may try to downplay mental health claims. Clear records from the start can make a real difference in your claim’s strength.
What If the Motor Vehicle Crash Also Caused a Physical Injury?
Many crash survivors deal with both physical pain and emotional distress at the same time. A broken arm may heal in weeks, while the fear of driving again can last much longer.
If your accident caused injuries like a brain injury, a spinal cord injury, or other lasting harm, PTSD may be considered alongside those physical injuries. A claim can address the full picture of how the crash changed your life, not just the visible damage.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Wisconsin?
Typically, a lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. However, certain exceptions and the specific nuances of your claim may affect the applicable deadline.
This is one reason it helps to contact our dedicated lawyers sooner rather than later. Waiting too long can also make it harder to gather strong evidence, including medical records tied to your PTSD symptoms.
What Sets Pemberton Personal Injury Apart?
Our team brings over 90 years of combined experience to motor vehicle accident cases across Wisconsin, and we have been recognized by Super Lawyers for 10 straight years. We built our approach on The Pemberton Promise, which means we treat every case, physical or emotional, with the same level of care.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing upfront, and our trial-ready approach means we prepare every case as if it may go before a jury. Our team also brings an insurance defense background to the table, which gives us insight into how insurers evaluate claims, including ones involving PTSD.
Get Help With Your PTSD Motor Vehicle Accident Claim From Pemberton Personal Injury
You do not have to carry the weight of a motor vehicle accident alone, whether the pain is physical, emotional, or both. Our team understands that PTSD can affect every part of your life, from sleep to work to simply feeling safe on the road again.
If a Wisconsin crash left you dealing with PTSD, reach out to us today for a free case evaluation.
