A truck accident in Hollywood or anywhere in South Florida is likely to result in serious physical injuries. Each year, accidents involving tankers, 18 wheelers, and other large commercial vehicles result in amputations, brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, fatalities, and other losses. While many of the physical injuries of trucking accidents can be visually obvious, however, many people who survive these crashes also suffer other, less obvious injuries.
Emotional trauma is a serious potential consequence of any serious roadway accident in Hollywood or South Florida. Unfortunately, this type of injury is often overlooked because the symptoms may not be obvious and because it can take weeks or months for the signs of trauma to become obvious.
What we know about trauma and truck accidents
More research is being done every year about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other illnesses that can occur after a traumatic event. Doctors today agree that PTSD and other types of trauma are a serious medical condition and can occur after truck and car accidents.
The challenge is that in many cases symptoms of PTSD and trauma can vary from patient to patient. If you have been in a traffic collision and have PTSD or suffer from trauma, you may experience many types of symptoms, including:
- Sleep disorders or difficulty sleeping
- Changes in eating patterns
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Memory loss
- Unexplained headaches or stomach aches
- Panic attacks
- Lethargy or lack of motivation
- Physical responses of stress (racing heart, sweating, nausea)
- Flashbacks or sudden memories of the event
- Difficulty returning to everyday activities or loss of interest in usual hobbies and interests
- Relationship problems
- Mood swings and moodiness
- Anxiety
If you experience any emotional or physical symptoms after your trucking accident, it’s important to talk to a doctor. Your doctor will want to rule out any physical causes for your symptoms and will want to start treatment for any trauma, if needed.
If you suffer from depression, PTSD, or another disorder because of a trucking accident, keep in mind these problems are medical conditions. In addition to seeking support from family and friends, you’ll want to get medical attention. Untreated, trauma can be very disruptive and can harm your relationships as well as other areas of your life. The stress can also harm your physical health. Anxiety and other symptoms can increase blood pressure, as can lack of adequate sleep. The stress and fatigue you experience can even impact your ability to drive or work safely.
There is help available if you’ve suffered an injury
If you are experiencing trauma as a result of a truck accident, you can seek compensation for your emotional as well as physical suffering. You may be able to seek compensation to pay for therapy, counseling, medication, and other treatment you may need.
To find out whether you have a claim and to seek representation, contact Flaxman Law Group. Our law firm in South Florida has already secured compensation for thousands of plaintiffs and our attorneys have more than six decades of combined experience. Contact us today for a free accident consultation to talk about your injuries and your potential claim.