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PTSD After a Car Accident: Symptoms & How to Cope

Published: November 18, 2021 Updated: May 18, 2022
Published: 11/18/2021 Updated: 05/18/2022
Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • What Is PTSD?PTSD
  • Symptoms of PTSD After a Car AccidentSymptoms
  • Triggers of PTSD After Car AccidentTriggers
  • Ways to Cope With PTSD After a Car Accident10 Tips
  • Treatment for PTSD After a Car AccidentPTSD Treatment
  • Final Thoughts on PTSD From a Car AccidentConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD

Many people don’t consider the psychological and severe emotional toll that can occur after a car accident. If a person is injured or dies, there are often long-term psychological ramifications, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).1 Therapy with a mental health professional can help victims of traffic accidents understand the emotional toll and learn effective ways to cope.

Recovering from PTSD can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

What Is PTSD?

PTSD, which can continue for months or years if untreated, is triggered by a frightening and/or life-threatening event. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) calls it a psychiatric disorder that occurs when “people have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or rape where they are threatened with death, sexual violence, or serious injury.”2

Symptoms of PTSD After a Car Accident

PTSD symptoms can begin acutely—within a month—or may not develop/manifest until up to a year after the traumatic event. These emotions may remain or worsen long after the car crash has occurred. Initially after a car accident, there may be feelings of shock and disbelief. Other normal reactions include anxiety, fear, guilt, and sometimes relief if injuries don’t appear to be serious.

Potential symptoms of PTSD after a car accident include:3

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Anguish
  • Fearfulness
  • Issues with sleep
  • Recurring nightmares about the crash
  • Isolation
  • Flashbacks
  • Headaches
  • Avoidance behaviors regarding driving again
  • Anxiety from simply being in a vehicle
  • Increased and ongoing irritability
  • Guilt if you believe you are responsible for the accident and its repercussions

Triggers of PTSD After Car Accident

Many things can trigger PTSD after a car accident. Often these triggers will be related to memories of sights, sounds, and smells that occurred at the time of the accident. Actions related to driving can also be triggering (and may even set off a panic attack while driving).

Here are common triggers that can create symptoms of PTSD after a car accident:

  • Smells of gasoline, smoke, or fire
  • Hearing sirens from ambulances or fire trucks
  • Seeing first responders like firemen or emergency medical technicians (EMTs)
  • Picking up car keys
  • Getting into the driver’s seat
  • The act of driving
  • Being a passenger in a car
  • Driving on the road where the accident occurred
  • High volume traffic
  • Witnessing another car accident

Recovering from PTSD can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

10 Ways to Cope With PTSD After a Car Accident

The first step in learning how to cope with PTSD after a car accident is to recognize and identify your symptoms. Many people are in denial, which can inhibit their ability to heal and move forward. If PTSD symptoms persist or worsen after an accident, you might seek a mental health professional who specializes in trauma.

Ten ways to cope with PTSD after a car accident are:

  1. Give yourself time to recover physically and emotionally
  2. Seek out a mental health professional specializing in trauma and grief
  3. Talk to loved ones you can trust and speak candidly with regarding your feelings about the accident
  4. Use mindfulness techniques to reduce anxiety, fear, and depression (e.g., yoga, deep breathing, muscle relaxation techniques, and meditation)
  5. Build your resilience by focusing on your core components of connection, wellness, healthy thinking, and meaning4
  6. Seek online support and information about trauma support groups near you
  7. For some people, taking driving lessons helps rebuild confidence and being with a driving instructor can instill a sense of safety and protection
  8. Follow up with your family doctor to ensure you have no additional injuries that might affect your ability to heal physically and emotionally
  9. If driving in a car or being a passenger has become debilitating, consider alternative forms of transportation like public transit
  10. Engage in physical activity; however, be sure to check with your doctor to know what type of exercise is safe post accident

Treatment for PTSD After a Car Accident

Recovering from PTSD can be accomplished by discussing the motor vehicle accident, having reassurance, education about PTSD, learning important coping strategies, and taking medication when indicated.5 All treatment techniques involve working with a trained mental health professional. You can find a therapist using an online therapist directory. Look for someone who specializes in trauma and grief.

Forms of treatment for PTSD after an accident include:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is designed to help change negative thought patterns and behaviors
  • Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): CPT is a type of CBT that aims to alter the way you think, feel, and behave
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR helps people alter and reprocess traumatic memories by revealing them in small parts and changing the way they feel about them
  • Supportive therapy: The goal of this treatment is to discuss feelings with trained mental health professionals who can help patients to process their feelings, understand why they are occurring, and learn new ways to cope
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): The goal of ACT is to reduce avoidance type behavior and face the emotions that develop
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): The goal of DBT for PTSD is to help implement skills training to help people manage and cope with emotional distress

Final Thoughts on PTSD From a Car Accident

PTSD after car accidents is difficult to understand and cope with. It’s important to try to honestly assess your emotional recovery and how you’re functioning. Don’t wait to seek help if it is needed as driving anxiety and PTSD can significantly impact one’s life. The longer you postpone getting help, the longer these symptoms will persist and perhaps worsen.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp Online Therapy – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Talkspace Online Therapy – Online therapy is convenient with Talkspace. Get therapy for as little as $69 per week, or potentially much less if you have insurance from Cigna, Optum, or UHR. Try Talkspace

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist who is committed to your wellbeing. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Mindfulness & Meditation App – Headspace is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial. Try Headspace

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Headspace

For Further Reading

  • Trauma Survivors Network
  • National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)
  • Anxiety and Depression Association of America
  • PTSD Statistics & Resources
  • 10 Best PTSD & Trauma Books For 2021
5 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • J Gayle Beck, Scott F. Coffey. Assessment and Treatment of PTSD after a motor vehicle collision: Empirical Findings and clinical observations. Professional Psychology Research and Practice. 2007 December 38(6): 629-639. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2396820/

  • American Psychiatric Association. What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? August 2020. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ptsd/what-is-ptsd

  • Dominique Apollon, M.Ed, LCPC. How to Cope With Trauma After an Auto Accident. November 26, 2019. Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Retrieved from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/how-cope-trauma-after-accident

  • American Psychological Association. Building your resilience. (2012) Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience

  • Dennis J. Butler, Ph.D, Steven Moffic, M.D, Nick W. Turkal, M.D. Post Traumatic Stress Reactions Following Motor Vehicle Accidents. American Family Physician. 1999 August 1; 60 (2): 524-530. Retrieved from https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0801/p524.html

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Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Rajy Abulhosn, MD
Reviewed by:

Rajy Abulhosn

MD
  • What Is PTSD?PTSD
  • Symptoms of PTSD After a Car AccidentSymptoms
  • Triggers of PTSD After Car AccidentTriggers
  • Ways to Cope With PTSD After a Car Accident10 Tips
  • Treatment for PTSD After a Car AccidentPTSD Treatment
  • Final Thoughts on PTSD From a Car AccidentConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
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