Car accidents can be devastating, not only because of the physical injuries they cause but also because of the emotional and psychological toll they take. Even after broken bones heal or surgeries are completed, many crash victims struggle with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for weeks, months, or even years afterward.
It is important to address both the physical and mental health impacts of a crash. If your accident in Newport News was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may also be entitled to financial compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer can guide you through the claims process, protect your rights, and pursue the damages you deserve.
Common Trauma Symptoms After a Car Accident
Every crash victim’s recovery looks different, but some mental health symptoms are particularly common:
- Anxiety: Nervousness, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors such as skipping social events or avoiding driving altogether.
- Depression: Persistent sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, feelings of guilt (especially if others were hurt), or hopelessness after a disabling injury.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, headaches, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
These conditions are just as real as physical injuries — and they can interfere with your ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy life.
Do I Have PTSD?
Only a qualified mental health professional can diagnose PTSD, but warning signs after a car accident include:
- Flashbacks: Reliving the crash when you hear a horn, hit a bump, or encounter a trigger.
- Avoidance Behaviors: Refusing to drive or ride in a car long after the accident.
- Hypervigilance: Feeling “on edge” all the time, reacting strongly to sudden noises or movements.
- Physical Symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, nausea, muscle tension, or chronic pain tied to trauma.
If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, seeking treatment is essential.
Treatment Options for PTSD After a Car Accident
There is no single approach to trauma recovery, but several therapies have been shown to help:
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): Teaches coping strategies by reframing negative thoughts and reducing anxiety.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Helps reprocess traumatic memories while using guided eye movements.
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Gradually reduces fear by safely confronting accident-related memories and triggers.
- Somatic Experiencing (SE): Releases trauma stored in the body and helps regulate stress responses.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Combines meditation and stress management techniques to calm the nervous system.
- Medication: Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed to manage severe symptoms.
A mental health provider can recommend a treatment plan that fits your situation.
Recovering Damages for PTSD and Emotional Trauma
Unlike a broken bone, emotional injuries are not visible on an X-ray — but they are just as compensable under Virginia law. With the help of a Newport News car accident lawyer, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses, including therapy, counseling, and medication.
- Lost wages if PTSD or depression prevents you from working.
- Pain and suffering, including the emotional impact of living with trauma.
- Loss of enjoyment of life if your mental health limits daily activities.
Proving emotional injuries may require medical records, therapist testimony, or documentation of how your condition affects your daily life. A skilled lawyer can build this evidence into a strong claim.
Our Newport News Car Accident Lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC Are Here to Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or depression after a crash, you do not have to face it alone. Our Newport News car accident lawyers at Anchor Legal Group, PLLC are here to help you pursue justice and the financial compensation you need to move forward. Call us today at 757-LAW-0000 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Located in Virginia Beach, we serve clients in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Eastern Shore, Virginia.