Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Settlements in Illinois

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Settlement Lawyers in Illinois

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Injury Lawyers in Illinois Pursuing Compensation for the Victims of Unsafe Drivers

When you suffer a severe physical injury in a collision with a motor vehicle, pain and disability can negatively affect your life for months or even years. Even after your physical injuries have healed, deep psychological scars and emotional trauma can interrupt your daily duties, interfere with your ability to care for your family and severely compromise your quality of life. The shock and trauma experienced during a car accident can cause lasting emotional distress, psychological conditions, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Many victims of car accident injuries devote less attention to their emotional and mental health than their physical well-being after a severe traffic accident. However, the psychological impact of a motor vehicle collision from a severe injury to the trauma of the collision can unleash lasting and debilitating emotional and mental damage. At Stein & Shulman, LLC, our experienced car accident lawyers in Chicago seek the complete compensation for these emotional and mental injuries because we recognize that they can be as painful and debilitating as physical injuries. Our compassionate and dedicated attorneys have been representing victims of automobile accidents for over 45 years. During this time, we have obtained more than forty million dollars for clients who have suffered physical and psychological damages.

Emotional Disorders

In the context of a legal claim for a traffic accident, emotional distress refers to the emotional disorder that is experienced because of a collision or other traumatic experience even though the infirmity is not presented an official medical diagnosis. Car accident victims often suffer the emotional distress associated with the trauma of the event or the struggle to recover. Symptoms of emotional distress include:

  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares
  • Unjustified anger
  • Severe Anxiety
  • Loss of appetite
  • Depression
  • Panic or feelings of fear
  • Unexplained mood swings
  • The discomfort or the lack of interest in the usual activities
  • The feeling of humiliation

Although these symptoms may not merit a diagnosis by a mental health professional, they can severely compromise their quality of life and interfere with school, work, and family responsibilities. The fear experienced after a traffic accident can even prevent accident victims from attending medical appointments and the therapy sessions necessary to promote their recovery. These interruptions in your life and emotional challenges are compensable injuries, and our auto accident attorneys in Illinois aggressively pursue the complete compensation for emotional and mental harm.

The Psychological Conditions Related to the Trauma of an Automobile Accident

Several people involved in motor vehicle accidents suffer severe mental health problems that include diagnosable medical conditions. The most well-known example is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This psychological disorder results from a person suffering a traumatic event. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs of the United States, approximately nine percent of people involved in collisions develop PTSD. In basic terms, the condition involves the development of a pathological anxiety disorder that prevents the fight or flight reaction of the body from going off. Four types of manifestations usually associated with PTSD:

  1. Panic Attacks – Many victims develop anxiety, panic attacks, and social phobias, which are an extension of the individual’s attempt to avoid people, places, and objects connected with the traumatic event.
  2. Recurring Event Experiences – The accident victim suffers from constant recurring memories of the event.
  3. Hyper-Vigilance – Individuals suffer from hyper-vigilance, which can interfere with sleep and mental focus while promoting paranoia.
  4. Emotional Distance – The emotional distance is maintained to avoid feelings of hopelessness and depression.

PTSD often has an insidious nature because the symptoms can be delayed for months or even years and take on various forms depending on the victim of the accident. If you are suffering from any anxiety or stress related to a car collision, you may want to talk to your doctor about a referral to a mental health professional.

Talk to Post-Traumatic Injury Lawyer from Chicago, Illinois

Our experienced accident attorneys in Chicago, Illinois at Stein & Shulman, LLC understand the debilitating nature of the psychological disorders suffered as a result of a car collision. Our law firm offers you extensive experience and a proven record of obtaining significant verdicts and agreements for our clients. Stein & Shulman, LLC invites you to contact us today at 312.422.0500 for your free case evaluation.