Introduction: The Injury You Can’t See
Car accidents don’t just cause broken bones and bruises—they can leave deep emotional wounds that last far longer than any physical injury. For many Maryland residents, the psychological toll of a serious collision includes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD after a car accident can affect your ability to work, drive, sleep, or even function day-to-day. And yet, it’s often overlooked or dismissed by insurers. At Ballenger & Roche, we believe emotional trauma deserves recognition—and compensation—just like any other injury.
In this guide, we’ll explain how PTSD after a crash is diagnosed, how it affects injury claims in Maryland, and what you can do to protect your rights.
What Is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a serious mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While often associated with military combat or assault, PTSD is increasingly recognized in victims of serious car accidents, particularly when:
- The crash involved severe injuries or fatalities
- The victim feared for their life
- The trauma was sudden, violent, or unexpected
PTSD is not just stress or anxiety. It’s a medical diagnosis with clear criteria under the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), including:
- Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks
- Avoidance of driving or reminders of the crash
- Negative changes in mood or thinking
- Hypervigilance, irritability, or insomnia
- Emotional numbness or depression
How Common Is PTSD After a Car Crash?
According to the American Psychological Association, about 25% to 30% of individuals involved in serious car accidents develop symptoms of PTSD. Risk factors include:
- Being trapped in the vehicle
- Experiencing a rollover or multi-car collision
- Witnessing a passenger or loved one injured or killed
- Suffering from prior trauma or preexisting mental health conditions
Children, teens, and elderly individuals may be especially vulnerable to post-crash emotional trauma.
Can You File a Personal Injury Claim for PTSD in Maryland?
Yes. Under Maryland law, you may be entitled to compensation for emotional injuries such as PTSD if they are linked to another party’s negligence in a car accident.
You may pursue a claim for:
- Medical treatment for PTSD, including therapy and medication
- Lost wages if PTSD affects your ability to work
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life, such as avoiding driving or social events
However, emotional injuries like PTSD are harder to “see” than physical ones, so proving your claim requires strong documentation.
What You Need to Prove a PTSD Claim
To successfully recover damages for PTSD, you’ll need to establish:
- Liability: Another party caused the crash through negligence (e.g., distracted driving, speeding, DUI).
- Diagnosis: You’ve been formally diagnosed with PTSD by a qualified mental health professional.
- Causation: Your PTSD is directly linked to the crash—not another traumatic event.
- Damages: You’ve suffered tangible losses, such as medical bills, lost income, or reduced quality of life.
Your claim will be stronger if you:
- Begin treatment promptly
- Follow through with therapy or medication
- Keep detailed records of symptoms and how they affect your life
- Avoid posting on social media in ways that downplay your condition (see: Why Social Media Can Hurt Your Injury Case)
Insurance Company Tactics to Watch Out For
Insurers may try to minimize or deny your PTSD claim by arguing:
- You’re exaggerating or fabricating symptoms
- You had preexisting anxiety or depression
- You didn’t seek treatment right away
- PTSD doesn’t qualify as a “serious” injury
What If Physical Injuries Have Healed—but PTSD Remains?
It’s not uncommon for PTSD symptoms to emerge after physical injuries have healed. Unfortunately, this can create confusion about whether your case is “still active.”
Maryland law allows you to pursue compensation for all injuries—physical or psychological—as long as they can be medically linked to the original accident. If your symptoms developed weeks or months later, you may still have a valid claim.
Statute of Limitations in Maryland
Maryland’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years from the date of the accident. That means you have up to three years to file a lawsuit for PTSD-related damages—but acting sooner is always better for building a strong case.
If you’re suffering from PTSD after a car accident, your pain is real—and you don’t have to carry it alone. At Ballenger & Roche, we take emotional trauma seriously. We’ll help you seek justice, obtain treatment, and recover compensation for the injuries others can’t see but you feel every day. Contact us today for your free consultation.