Truck accidents can cause emotional trauma injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD usually happens following a frightening or life-threatening crash. It can be debilitating and have severe effects on various aspects of your life.

Various things can trigger PTSD after a truck accident. The most common include:

• Smells of gasoline smoke or fire
• Hearing sirens from ambulances or fire trucks
• Seeing first responders, firefighters or EMTs
• Driving on the road where the accident occurred
• Witnessing another car accident

The trauma can be so bad that even ordinary actions associated with driving, such as picking up car keys, getting into the driver’s seat and going through high-volume traffic, can trigger an attack.

Motor vehicle accident (MVA) PTSD can have grave consequences if left untreated. It might prevent you from returning to your job or finding future employment, or it might increase your risk of getting into another accident.

Signs and symptoms

The most common signs of PTSD include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks of the accident, vivid or disturbing dreams, increased anxiety and irritability, sleep disorders and exaggerated startle responses. You may also experience depression, anger, self-isolation and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms are not uncommon after a serious truck accident and may negatively affect your interactions with other people, including your loved ones, as well as your overall quality of life.

Tips to move forward

Your physician and mental health specialist can confirm your symptoms and work together to set you up on your journey toward healing. This could include various treatment options, such as therapy and medication.

Further, it can help the healing process to hold those who are responsible for the accident accountable for their wrongdoing. An attorney can help you understand your rights and potential for legal remedies if the accident was the result of another drivers’ negligence.