Car Accidents and the Connection With PTSD

Over 50 million people worldwide experience trauma through motor vehicle accidents, yearly.

After a car accident, most people are instantly concerned about physical injury. What many fail to consider is the emotional toll that a person goes through.

Studies show that roughly 22% of people develop PTSD after being involved in any type of car accident. Here’s information on how PTSD coincides with accidents. 

Risks of PTSD After a Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident alone could be enough to cause trauma due to the severity of the circumstances. If the accident was life-threatening or involved a fatality, the likelihood of PTSD is higher. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that it is not only big or major car accidents that can cause PTSD but also seemingly minor ones.

If you’ve had additional life circumstances, you could be at a higher risk for PTSD. Suffering from pre-existing psychological issues or having a family history of psychological issues can place you at a greater risk. Having suffered from another traumatic event or a severe previous car accident increases your risk. The same applies to having lost a family member or friend in a car accident.

Why Does PTSD Develop After Car Accidents?

It’s important to note that in a car accident situation, the driver isn’t the only one who can develop PTSD. Whether you’re a driver, passenger, or bystander, the experience can be traumatizing. 

Younger drivers start driving between 16 and 17. Most will be involved in some type of accident before the age of 30. Whether it’s a minor accident or something major, it can have an emotional toll on anyone in that age group.

Not having the appropriate support afterward can cause you to feel isolated and alone. Ineffectively dealing with any subsequent feelings or emotions can lend itself to stress and additional mental health issues, including PTSD.

As the driver, you could feel responsible whether it was your fault or not. That heavy burden can have a serious effect on your mental and emotional state. As a passenger, this trauma can make you weary of returning to the passenger seat with others. As a witness, you can be triggered when similar situations arise. 

Symptoms of PTSD

The symptoms and severity of PTSD differ from person to person, as well as be influenced by the role you had in the car accident. Regardless, PTSD can make daily life situations feel stressful and unsafe.

Common symptoms that you may experience are anxiety, nervousness, numbness, irritability, and vulnerability. You may also experience nightmares or flashbacks where you relive events of the accident. Performing day-to-day tasks can be harder to complete due to triggers surrounding vehicles or anything related to driving.

Avoidant behaviors like avoiding getting into a car, driving, or taking a specific route can often occur as well. With each situation avoided, it starts to compound, and larger emotional issues can evolve. 

Considerations After a Car Accident

Being afraid after an accident is normal and understandable. It’s more common than you would likely think. Any symptoms you may experience are caused by your mind and body responding to a very stressful and, in some cases, what may have felt like a life and death situation.

You may feel on edge when you get behind the wheel again. Your heart rate may increase as you discuss the accident or when a similar situation presents itself. You may notice a knee-jerk reaction to a car horn, brake sounds, or even a door slamming loudly.

As part of the after effects of the accident, you may be extra observant of your environment or more mindful of the road conditions to the degree that this level of alertness can start to feel exhausting.

What To Do and Not To Do

After an accident, especially if you’re dealing with PTSD, you need to allow yourself time to recover. It’s important to give yourself grace throughout the process. If you’ve lost someone in the process, you will need to grieve properly.

During the healing process, it’s important not to minimize, dismiss, or bottle up your emotions. It’s not only ok but also healing to discuss the circumstances around the accident that traumatized you. Most importantly, you’ll want to seek out healthy coping mechanisms and professional help.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident and are wondering if you have PTSD or need help processing it, contact us to learn more about our therapy services for car accidents.