PTSD After a Car Accident: Signs, Symptoms, & How to Cope

Can You Get PTSD From a Car Accident?

It is possible to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a car accident. Car accidents can be highly traumatic experiences, especially if they involve serious injury, a threat to life, or witnessing the death or severe injury of others. The traumatic shock from the accident can leave individuals struggling to process what happened, often leading to intrusive thoughts and flashbacks that make it feel like they’re reliving the crash. These symptoms can disrupt daily life and make it challenging to move forward without support.

PTSD can develop immediately after the accident or even months or years later. Additionally, while some individuals find that their PTSD symptoms ease within a few days to a month, others might struggle with lasting effects that don’t go away on their own and may need some help to work through.

How Long Does PTSD Last After a Car Accident?

The amount of time PTSD symptoms last after a car accident depends on different factors, like the severity of the accident, the person’s access to support and therapy, and their coping mechanisms. Recovery timelines differ significantly among individuals, with some recovering in 1 to 3 months, others in 6 months, and still others experiencing symptoms for much longer or requiring ongoing treatment.¹

Signs of PTSD After a Car Accident

After a car accident, it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions like shock, disbelief, anxiety, fear, and even some relief if the injuries don’t seem too serious. But sometimes, those feelings don’t just go away—they can stick around or even get worse. PTSD symptoms might show up pretty quickly, within a month or so, but they can also take up to a year to appear. Once they do, they can linger long after the accident is over.

Common symptoms of PTSD after a car accident include:²

Intrusive Thoughts & Flashbacks

After a car accident, it’s common to have intrusive thoughts about the trauma that pop up unexpectedly, often with disturbing content, like worrying about another accident happening. PTSD flashbacks can also occur, making you feel like you’re reliving the crash. Everyday things like hitting a bump in the road or being tailgated can trigger these intense memories and feelings.

Avoidance Behaviors

To cope with PTSD, some people start avoiding anything that reminds them of the accident. This might mean refusing to drive or even avoiding being a passenger in a car. While it’s normal to feel anxious around vehicles after an accident, if you’re constantly using avoidance behaviors, it might be time to seek help.

Hypervigilance

Hypervigilance is when you’re always on high alert, constantly scanning your surroundings for threats. After a car accident, this can become a PTSD symptom, where even neutral things like a car horn honking can feel threatening. It’s like your body stays stuck in survival mode, always ready to react.

Negative Thoughts & Depression

After the shock of a car accident, it’s common to struggle with negative thoughts and depression. These negative thoughts can include feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. The emotional intensity of the trauma can also lead to emotional numbness or detachment from others. You might find it hard to stick to your routines, feel disconnected from the things you once enjoyed, or feel like you’re just going through the motions without really engaging with life.

Guilt or Shame

It’s common to experience feelings of guilt or shame after a car accident. You might find yourself blaming yourself for what happened, even if it wasn’t your fault. Survivors’ guilt can show up if you walked away unhurt while others were seriously hurt or lost their lives. You might also feel ashamed about the trauma symptoms you’re experiencing, as if you should be “over it” by now or coping better than you are.

Anger

Anger is a common reaction after a car accident, often directed at yourself for not preventing it, or at others if they were at fault. Sometimes, this anger is a secondary emotion that is more about covering up deeper pain and psychological wounds that haven’t been addressed yet.

Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms of PTSD can manifest in different ways. Some examples are muscle tension throughout the body, nausea or stomach upset, and feeling fatigued. People also experience a sense of being “keyed up” or on edge which can lead to increased heart rate, a heightened startle response, or being jumpy.

Anxiety

Anxiety is another common PTSD symptom after a car accident. You might feel anxious at different times—before getting into a vehicle, while driving or riding in a car, or even after you’ve arrived safely. This heightened anxiety can make daily activities feel overwhelming and may even lead to panic attacks while driving, being a passenger in the car, or thinking about driving. Sometimes the anxiety becomes so debilitating the person develops vehophobia, or a fear of driving.

Self-Isolation

PTSD after a car accident can sometimes lead to self-isolation. People might pull away from others to avoid triggers like loud noises or busy environments, which can feel overwhelming. Self-isolation can also be a way to detach from the traumatic experience. However, the downside is that isolating yourself can cut off the support you really need to work through PTSD. It’s important to recognize this pattern and find ways to stay connected, even when it’s hard.

Sleep Disturbances

The emotional toll of a car accident can cause sleep problems, like having trouble falling or staying asleep. Some people experience PTSD night terrors or disturbing dreams about the accident, which can lead to PTSD-induced insomnia and make it even harder to cope with PTSD.

Suicidal Thoughts

After a car accident, some people may experience suicidal thoughts, whether passive—like wishing they wouldn’t wake up—or active, where they might start planning to harm themselves. It’s crucial for loved ones to be aware of these signs and to reach out for help if they notice them.

What Are Common PTSD Triggers After a Car Accident?

After a car accident, certain triggers can bring back the intense fear and distress of the event. Common PTSD triggers include specific sights, sounds, or smells that remind you of the accident, like the screech of tires or the smell of gasoline. Everyday actions, such as driving or even getting into a car, can provoke feelings of anxiety or panic, making it feel like you’re reliving the trauma all over again.³

Common triggers of PTSD symptoms after a car accident include:

• Smells of gasoline, smoke, or fire
• Hearing sirens from ambulances or fire trucks
• Seeing first responders, firefighters, 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

How to Cope With PTSD From a Car Accident

The first step in learning to cope with PTSD from a car accident is to recognize and identify your symptoms. Denying or ignoring what you’re going through can make it harder to heal. Focus on being patient with yourself, practicing self-compassion, and leaning on supportive people in your life as you navigate the mental and emotional challenges of recovering from a car accident.

Here are eleven tips and some worksheets for coping with PTSD after a car accident:

1. Seek Professional Help

Talking to a mental health professional, especially someone who specializes in trauma, can be crucial in your recovery after a car accident. They can help you understand and manage the symptoms you’re experiencing, like flashbacks or nightmares, and figure out what might be triggering them. A therapist can also support you in working through any negative thoughts or beliefs you might have about yourself, your safety, or the world around you.

2. Prioritize Self-Care & Recuperation

Prioritizing self-care is essential when recovering from PTSD after a car accident. Your mental, emotional, and physical well-being may need extra care and attention during this time. Focusing on self-care means giving yourself permission to rest, recharge, and attend to your needs, whether that involves seeking therapy, engaging in relaxing activities, or simply allowing yourself time to heal. By taking deliberate steps to care for yourself, you create a strong foundation for recovery, ensuring that you have the strength and resilience needed to navigate the challenges of healing from trauma.

Free Self-Care for Trauma Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you practice a variety of self-care activities that can decrease the impact of your trauma.

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3. Lean on Friends, Family, or Support Groups

Leaning on friends, family, or support groups can make a big difference when you’re coping with PTSD after a car crash. Having people around who understand and care about you can create a sense of safety, which is important for healing. Talking to them about what you’re going through can help ease the feelings of isolation that often come with PTSD. Also, when things feel overwhelming, they can step in to help with everyday tasks like running errands, managing appointments, or just being there when you need an extra hand.

On a different note, support groups give you a chance to connect with people who have been through similar experiences. It’s a place where you can share stories, offer encouragement, and pick up practical tips for coping. Being part of a community like this can help you build resilience and make it a bit easier to face the ups and downs of recovery, helping you gradually find your way back to a sense of normalcy.

4. Allow Yourself to Grieve

Experiencing grief after a trauma is common. The accident may have shattered your sense of safety, and grieving your prior self can be influential in recovery. Allowing yourself to feel the full extent of your grief can help you rewrite the narrative in your psyche.

5. Practice Grounding Techniques

Grounding techniques can be incredibly helpful for managing trauma triggers related to your car crash PTSD. When a trigger occurs, it can feel like you’re being pulled back into the past, reliving the traumatic event. Grounding helps you focus on the present moment—whether it’s the sensation of your breath, the feeling of your feet on the ground, or the sounds around you—reminding your mind and body that you are safe right now. This practice reduces the intensity of the trigger and helps you live more fully in the present, rather than being stuck in the past.

6. Focus on Regulating Your Nervous System

After a trauma, your nervous system remains on high alert for any further dangers. This can lead to a sense of being on edge, anxious, or feeling jumpy. By regulating your nervous system, it can help to regulate these feelings. Some examples of how to regulate the nervous system include using grounding skills, engaging in deep breathing, or partaking in trauma-informed yoga.

Regulating Your Nervous System - Free Worksheet

By building awareness of your body’s nervous system, you can better manage overwhelming emotions and respond more calmly to challenges.

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7. Consider Alternative Forms of Transportation

You may want to consider alternative forms of transportation for a while, especially in the midst of PTSD treatment. Doing so may lessen the pressure of learning to drive again if your vehicle was your sole method of transportation.

8. Enroll in Driving Classes

Enrolling in driving classes can be a proactive way to cope with PTSD after a car accident. These classes offer a controlled environment where you can gradually reintroduce yourself to driving, which may have become a trigger for anxiety or fear. Over time, driving can shift from being a source of distress back to a neutral or even positive experience.

9. Stay Physically Active

Engaging in physical exercise can help to boost mood and reduce stress. Emotional state and mood are often impacted as a result of trauma symptoms after a car accident. Continuing to stay active can help you cope with your symptoms. Exercise also releases endorphins, which help to lift mood.

10. Be Patient With Yourself

Be patient with yourself after a car accident, especially if you’re dealing with PTSD symptoms. It’s common to feel frustrated or even ashamed that you’re not emotionally where you used to be, but that’s okay. PTSD can make things feel different and harder than before. By practicing patience, you allow yourself the space to heal and focus your energy on recovery, rather than getting caught up in self-criticism. Remember, healing takes time, and it’s important to give yourself that time without judgment.

11. Educate Yourself on PTSD Symptoms

After a car accident, it can be difficult to cope with the symptoms that you’re experiencing. There is often judgment or guilt about what you are feeling and experiencing, particularly if there is a lack of awareness about how trauma can impact an individual. Educating yourself on PTSD symptoms can help reduce the stigma you may feel with the impacts you’re experiencing and can help you address symptoms more directly.

How to Find Professional Support

If you’ve been in a car crash and are struggling with intense emotions like anxiety, fear, or guilt that don’t seem to improve over time, it might be a sign to seek professional support. To find a professional, you can search an online therapist directory such as Grow Therapy for therapists who specialize in trauma or PTSD.  If your car crash trauma makes it difficult to attend in-person visits, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace offer remote access to licensed professionals.

If you’re interested in exploring medication options for PTSD after a car crash, several online psychiatry services can connect you with licensed healthcare providers who can prescribe medication. Platforms like Brightside offer integrated therapy and medication management, focusing on personalized treatment plans based on your specific needs.

How to Treat PTSD After a Car Accident

Recovering from PTSD after a car accident can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone on this journey. There are various types of trauma therapy designed to help you process what happened and develop strategies to cope with trauma triggers. Alongside therapy, PTSD medication may sometimes be recommended to manage particularly challenging symptoms. The goal of PTSD treatment is to help you gradually regain a sense of safety and control as you move forward in your healing process.

Therapy for PTSD after a car accident may include:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT is a structured approach that helps you process the trauma by linking your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It reduces symptoms like anxiety and intrusive thoughts by teaching relaxation and cognitive restructuring techniques.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR for PTSD help reprocess traumatic memories, changing their emotional impact by recalling them in brief segments while following guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This technique can reduce the intensity of flashbacks and anxiety triggered by reminders of the car accident.
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): PE helps you confront and gradually desensitize to trauma-related memories or situations you’ve been avoiding. By facing these fears in a controlled way, you can reduce their intensity and regain a sense of normalcy.
• Somatic Experiencing (SE): SE focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body by tuning into and resolving physical sensations. It’s especially helpful for alleviating symptoms like chronic pain and hyperarousal.
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): MBSR combines mindfulness meditation with stress management to help you stay present and reduce the impact of trauma-related triggers. It’s particularly useful for managing anxiety and flashbacks.

Can You Recover Compensation for PTSD From a Car Accident?

How Much Money Can You Get for PTSD From a Car Accident?

According to attorney Alexander, “There’s really isn’t a straightforward answer to this question. Unlike physical injuries, PTSD is more challenging to quantify in monetary terms. Each case is unique, and the actual compensation amount can vary significantly. There are also numerous factors that contribute to the amount of compensation awarded to accident victims suffering from PTSD related to the incident.”

“Courts generally consider the following factors when determining compensation for PTSD accident cases:

• Impact on your life: How PTSD affects your daily life, work, relationships, and overall well-being is crucial.
• Medical expenses: The cost of treatment, medication, and therapy directly impacts the compensation amount.
• Lost wages: If you’ve missed work due to PTSD, you can claim compensation for lost income.
• Pain and suffering: This is a subjective measure of your emotional distress and is often the most significant part of the award.
• Jurisdiction laws: Different states have varying laws regarding damages, which can affect the potential settlement.
• Insurance policy limits: The amount of available coverage can cap the total compensation.
• Strength of evidence: The quality of medical records, therapy notes, and other documentation supporting your PTSD claim is essential.
• Negotiation skills: Your attorney’s ability to negotiate a fair settlement can significantly impact the final amount.”