A car accident can leave you with injuries that go far beyond what shows up on an X-ray. Many crash victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder in the weeks and months following a collision, a condition that can interfere with nearly every part of daily life. While you may know that physical injuries give you grounds to file a legal claim, you might not realize that PTSD qualifies for compensation as well.
Tennessee law fully recognizes psychological injuries like PTSD in personal injury cases. An experienced Nashville motor vehicle accident attorney can help you understand what your claim may look like and how to move forward. Until then, read on for some important information about these cases.
How Does PTSD Develop After a Car Accident?
PTSD is a psychological condition that can develop after someone experiences a traumatic event. Car accidents are one of the most common triggers. The symptoms do not always appear right away, which catches many victims off guard. Some people feel fine in the days after a crash only to start struggling weeks later as the full weight of what happened sets in.
Common symptoms of car accident-related PTSD include:
- Flashbacks to the crash itself
- Nightmares that repeatedly disrupt sleep
- Intense anxiety while riding in or driving a vehicle
- A persistent sense of fear that is difficult to shake
- Withdrawing from activities and relationships
- Difficulty concentrating at work or at home
Left untreated, PTSD can worsen over time and create lasting disruptions in a person’s quality of life.
What Does Tennessee Law Say About PTSD in Car Accident Claims?
Tennessee courts treat PTSD as a legitimate injury that deserves compensation. In legal terms, PTSD falls under the category of non-economic damages, which cover harm that does not come with a direct bill or receipt attached. There is no statutory cap on non-economic damages in Tennessee car accident cases, meaning the value of your claim will depend on the specific facts and the strength of your evidence.
Proving PTSD in a personal injury case does require solid documentation. Courts want to see evidence that ties the condition directly to the car accident, such as:
- A formal diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional
- Therapy records showing ongoing treatment
- Prescription histories for medications related to the condition
- Personal journals documenting symptoms like panic episodes or nightmares
Our car and commercial vehicle accident attorney in Nashville may also work with psychiatric experts who can testify about how the accident caused your condition and what kind of treatment you will need going forward.
Contact Woodard Injury Law if You Developed PTSD After a Tennessee Car Accident
If you are living with PTSD after a car accident that was not your fault, you deserve to know what legal options are available to you. Tennessee only gives you one year from the date of the accident to take legal action, so reaching out to an attorney sooner rather than later is best to ensure you file your claim on time.
Call Woodard Injury Law today at (615) 640-3648 to schedule a free consultation. We’ve won millions of dollars for our clients and will work just as hard on your case.