The Trauma That Won’t Go Away After A Wisconsin Car Crash

Auto accidents can be brutal, and when you happen to witness one, just the sound gives you an idea of the devastation. For some survivors, the memory of the impact, the noise and the frightening chaos that followed a serious Wisconsin car crash will haunt them for a long time, and make it very difficult to get back to a normal life. Something has been broken. They are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

How do you know if you suffer from PTSD?

After a traumatic experience, it is normal to feel frightened, sad or anxious. Usually, as time passes, these symptoms fade and life gradually becomes normal again. If the trauma was overwhelming, you may find that things do not get better, and you may even feel worse as the weeks go by. You become irritable, disconnected, depressed and emotional.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Every person reacts differently and each traumatic event is different, so there are no precisely defined symptoms that apply in all cases. Most PTSD cases, however, will include several of the following possible reactions;

• Flashbacks and intrusive memories
• Intense feelings and reactions to reminders of the event
• Nightmares
• Avoidance of certain activities, places, feelings or thoughts
• Selective loss of memory, especially about the accident
• Loss of ambition and optimism
• Loss of interest in others, activities and life in general
• Inability to sleep, or sleeping too much
• Substance abuse
• Depression and mistrust
• Irritability and anger
• Alienation and suicidal thoughts

Car accidents are even more traumatic to children and teenagers than to adults, and they may have their own symptoms, like a fear of being separated from the family and other phobias and anxieties. Parents of children who have been involved in a motor vehicle crash should watch very closely for these symptoms.

PTSD can be painful and ruin not only the victim's life, but also make life miserable for the entire family. Sufferers need help, and early treatment will achieve better results, and faster.

If you have been hurt in a car, truck or motorcycle accident, contact the Milwaukee-based attorneys of Hupy & Abraham today at 800-800-5676 (toll-free) or 414-223-4800 (local) for a free evaluation of your case, or send us an e-mail with your questions.