# Studies Show Car Accidents are a Common Cause of PTSD | Brooks Law Group

When one hears the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), they often think of a sad affliction that solely affects soldiers returning from battle. Indeed, PTSD does afflict members of armed forces who have witnessed and experienced traumatic events at an alarming rate. However, PTSD also affects persons outside of the hellish confines of war: it is simply a psychological condition affecting those who have experienced a traumatic event, no matter how the circumstances varied or where the event occurred.

[Victims of motor vehicle accidents are a common group to develop PTSD](https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/trauma/other/traumatic-stress-vehicle-accidents.asp/). In any given year, approximately 1% of the US population will be injured in motor vehicle accidents. Of those, approximately 9% motor vehicle accident survivors develop PTSD. (As many as 8% of our entire country’s population live with the burden of PTSD symptoms, no matter what the cause.) “In one large study, accidents were shown to be the traumatic event most frequently experienced by males (25%) and the second most frequent traumatic event experienced by females (13%) in the United States. Over 100 billion dollars are spent every year to take care of the damage caused by auto accidents.” Car accident victims who develop PTSD may feel as if insult was added to injury. Not only must one cope with the physical pain; now they have psychological hardship to accompany it.

Look to Brooks!CALL US TODAY [![Phone Icon](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/themes/brooks-law-group/assets/app/img/ctas/phone-icon.png)(800) 529-3030](tel:+18005293030)

The [symptoms of PTSD](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355967) can be debilitating, including flashbacks, depression, withdrawal from social settings, negativity, anxiety, hopelessness, and phobias, among other symptoms. Treatment may be time-consuming and costly. While there is no fix-all, luckily, there is some form of recourse: personal injury lawsuits. These lawsuits may allege Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and seek compensation for this specific disorder.

How do personal injury PTSD lawsuits work? In addition to proving the person’s negligence, these lawsuits must prove the existence of PTSD, which is accomplished through the use of expert testimony. Specifically, an expert must be called to testify to first, the injury, that psychological damage occurred, as proven by various symptoms; secondly, that a specific traumatic event triggered the psychological injury; and third, that damages occurred as a result of the event (including, for example, treatment for the PTSD).

Proving PTSD also paves the way for proving a claim of Intentional or Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress.

[Click to contact](/contact-us/) our personal injury lawyers today

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and subsequently was diagnosed with PTSD, or believe you may have PTSD as a result of the accident, call the skilled [Florida car accident attorneys](https://brookslawgroup.com/florida/car-accident-lawyer/) at Brooks Law Group today. We can help determine whether you are entitled to any compensation.

Call or text [(800) 529-3030](tel:+18005293030) or complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](/contact-us/)

Car Accidents Blog Posts:    [![Safe Driving Saves Lives](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Save-Teen-Lives_-5-Tips-for-Staying-Safe-on-the-Road-300x150.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/save-teen-lives-5-tips-for-staying-safe-on-the-road/)

### [Save Teen Lives: 5 Tips for Staying Safe on the Road](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/save-teen-lives-5-tips-for-staying-safe-on-the-road/)

Let’s talk about teen drivers. Every parent struggles to watch their child grow older and more independent and

[![man steering car and car swerving while driving](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/winter-haven-teen-killed-in-collision-with-suv-reminder-for-drivers-about-overcorrecting-behind-the-wheel-300x251.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/winter-haven-teen-killed-in-collision-with-suv/)

### [Winter Haven Teen Killed in Collision With SUV](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/winter-haven-teen-killed-in-collision-with-suv/)

Tuesday brought the news of a tragedy to Auburndale High School. Winter Haven first responders received a call early on

[![Adults With ADHD More Likely to Get in Car Accidents - Brooks Law Group](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/shutterstock_1731563914-300x200.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/adults-with-adhd-at-greater-risk-of-car-accidents/)

### [Adults with ADHD at Greater Risk of Car Accidents](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/adults-with-adhd-at-greater-risk-of-car-accidents/)

Car accidents are more likely for adults who experience ADHD symptoms beyond childhood, according to a new study

[![Commercial vehicle accident severity depends on many factors!](https://brookslawgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LTB-Blog-1-image-1-300x251.jpg)](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/the-role-of-size-and-weight-in-commercial-vehicle-accident-severity/)

### [The Role of Size and Weight in Commercial Vehicle Accident Severity](https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/the-role-of-size-and-weight-in-commercial-vehicle-accident-severity/)

Did you know that size and weight significantly affect commercial vehicle accident severity? Commercial vehicles play a

---

Source: https://brookslawgroup.com/blog/studies-show-car-accidents-are-a-common-cause-of-ptsd/