Feeling dazed and confused after a serious car accident is common. Children are particularly badly affected by all the loud noises, broken glass, and emergency services vehicles. They might have suffered physical injuries as a result of the crash, but what about the emotional trauma they experience? After a serious accident, children might develop Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is a serious condition that requires treatment. If your child has developed PTSD after a car accident, you might be entitled to monetary compensation under the law. This compensation could be used to pay for psychiatric, psychological or medical treatment. In this case, contact accidentlawyerlosangeles.ca for assistance in gaining monetary compensation.
What is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after someone has experienced a traumatic event such as an assault or a car crash. It can be seriously debilitating. The symptoms and signs of PTSD differ from child to child and also vary depending on the age of the child.
What are the symptoms of PTSD in children?
Ages 5 – 12
Children’s symptoms differ from those of adults, who often have flashbacks or gaps in their memories. They might, however, get the order of the traumatic events wrong or believe that before the trauma happened, there were signs.
They might believe they will see signs before another trauma takes place, leading them to become hyper-alert to potential ‘signs’ so that they can avoid future traumas. Children of this age might act out parts of the trauma during play. They might also start exhibiting outbursts of anger, nightmares, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, and changes to their school or social lives.
Ages 12 – 18
Teens might suffer many of the same symptoms as younger children but might also exhibit symptoms that are a lot like those of adults, such as flashbacks. They are also more likely to exhibit aggressive and/or impulsive behaviors and might develop anxiety and depression.
Other signs of PTSD in children
In teens, especially, they might start becoming aggressive, use alcohol or drugs, self-harm, or behave in a sexually inappropriate manner. Children might suffer from loneliness, lack of trust in others, low self-esteem, anger, sadness, fear, and worry.
What should you do if you think your child has PTSD after a car crash
Contact accident attorney Los Angeles for advice. Immediately take your child to their pediatrician for a referral to a child psychologist. The earlier treatment starts, the more effective it will be. Treatment might include medication and cognitive behavioral therapy where your child will learn coping mechanisms for when she remembers the accident. Play therapy might also be recommended, especially for younger children.
How to gain monetary compensation for PTSD following an accident?
It is often not easy to prove mental trauma, especially in young children who might have problems articulating their feelings. Insurance companies want to save the insurance company money, so they might try to deny compensation, or cut it down to a minimum. This is where a qualified car accident attorney in Los Angeles can help.
