PTSD in Children After a Serious Car Accident
After a serious car accident, it is common for everyone involved to feel shaken, confused, or overwhelmed. For children, the experience can be especially frightening. Screeching tires, broken glass, emergency sirens, flashing lights, and unfamiliar faces can leave a lasting emotional impact. In addition to physical injuries, many children suffer invisible emotional trauma that can linger long after the crash.
One of the most serious psychological conditions children may develop after a car accident is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), children are particularly vulnerable to trauma following events such as motor vehicle accidents. Without proper care, these emotional injuries can interfere with a child’s development, education, and overall quality of life.
If your child is experiencing symptoms of PTSD after a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Florida law may allow your family to pursue financial compensation. These damages can help cover medical care, psychological treatment, therapy, and the emotional pain your child has endured.
Common PTSD Symptoms in Children After a Car Accident
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. In children, symptoms often vary based on age and emotional maturity.
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Young children may show signs such as fear of the dark, bedwetting, separation anxiety, or excessive clinginess.
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Elementary-aged children may develop nightmares, headaches, sleep problems, anger outbursts, withdrawal from friends, or sudden changes in school performance.
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Pre-teens and teenagers may struggle with depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, declining grades, or insomnia. Some teens may even develop a fear of driving or riding in vehicles.
If your child displays any of these symptoms following a crash, early intervention is critical. Prompt medical and psychological care can significantly reduce the long-term impact of PTSD.
Treatment Options for PTSD After a Car Crash
The good news is that PTSD—especially in children—is often treatable when addressed early. Treatment plans may include:
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps children process the accident, express their feelings, and develop healthy coping skills.
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Medication: In some cases, prescribed medications may help manage anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances.
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Play Therapy: Often used for younger children, play therapy allows them to express emotions through drawing, games, or storytelling in a safe environment.
Each child’s recovery journey is unique, and treatment should be guided by qualified mental health professionals.
Recovering Compensation for PTSD and Emotional Trauma
Proving psychological injuries such as PTSD can be challenging—especially when children have difficulty expressing what they feel. Insurance companies frequently downplay or dispute mental health claims, arguing that emotional trauma is exaggerated or unrelated to the accident.
Adjusters may also attempt to blame PTSD symptoms on prior life events or preexisting mental health conditions. Their goal is to minimize payouts and protect the insurance company’s bottom line—not your child’s well-being.
To build a strong claim, it is often necessary to present expert testimony from psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health professionals. These experts can:
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Diagnose PTSD
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Explain how the car accident caused or worsened the condition
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Outline current and future treatment needs
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Estimate the long-term cost of care
Even if your child had anxiety, depression, or another condition before the accident, Florida law allows compensation when a crash aggravates or worsens a preexisting condition.
Speak With a Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Car accidents can cause far more than broken bones or visible injuries—especially for children whose minds are still developing. Emotional trauma such as PTSD can have lifelong consequences if left untreated.
Just like physical injuries, mental and emotional injuries are compensable under Florida law. Your child may be entitled to compensation for therapy, counseling, medical treatment, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If your child has been diagnosed with PTSD after a car accident, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible can help protect your child’s rights and future.
The Clearwater personal injury lawyers at Applebaum Accident Group are committed to standing up for injured families and helping children receive the care and compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a (855-Call-paul) consultation to discuss your case and legal options.
