Personal Injury
PTSD & Trauma After an Accident
A real, treatable injury — even though it doesn't show up on a scan.
Why This Deserves Its Own Evaluation
A serious accident is, by definition, a threat to your life or physical safety happening in seconds, with no control over the outcome. That's exactly the kind of event that can produce post-traumatic stress — and it's one of the most under-diagnosed consequences of a car accident, because most accident clinics never ask about it. A patient can be doing everything right physically — attending PT, following medical advice, healing on schedule — and still be carrying a trauma response that nobody has evaluated.
PTSD following an accident is not a sign of weakness and it is not something you're expected to just move past. It's a diagnosable, treatable condition, and it responds well to the right care.
Signs & Symptoms
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the accident
- Nightmares related to the accident
- Avoidance of driving, riding in vehicles, or the location where the accident happened
- Hypervigilance — feeling constantly on edge, especially in traffic
- An exaggerated startle response to sudden sounds or movement
- Emotional numbness or detachment that wasn't present before the accident
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
How We Evaluate It
We conduct a full psychiatric and behavioral health evaluation, screening specifically for post-traumatic stress symptoms rather than assuming that stress after an accident will simply resolve on its own. We also assess how physical injury symptoms and PTSD symptoms may be overlapping and reinforcing each other, since the two frequently travel together.
Our Approach
- Trauma-informed individual counseling and therapy specific to accident-related PTSD
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management when clinically appropriate
- Coordination with your medical and physical therapy care, since physical recovery and psychological recovery affect each other directly
- A pace of treatment that respects where you are, rather than pushing exposure before you're ready for it
What to Expect
PTSD symptoms following an accident often begin within the first month, though for some patients they build gradually over a longer period. With appropriate treatment, most patients see meaningful improvement, though the timeline varies significantly based on symptom severity and how long they've gone unaddressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if what I'm feeling is PTSD or just normal stress after an accident?
Some anxiety and stress after an accident is common and often fades on its own within a few weeks. When symptoms persist, worsen, or start interfering with daily life — driving, sleep, work, relationships — a full evaluation is worth having.
Can PTSD develop even if my physical injuries were minor?
Yes — the severity of psychological impact doesn't always match the severity of physical injury. The perceived threat to your safety during the accident is what matters most.
Will this be part of my personal injury case documentation?
Yes — psychological injury from an accident is a legitimate, documentable part of your case, and we document it with the same thoroughness as any physical injury.
PTSD from an accident is an injury, not a personal failing — and like any injury, it responds to the right evaluation and the right treatment.
Confidential · No Pressure · Coordinated Care
Start today. Walk-ins welcome.
Call us, send a message, or just come by the clinic. Same-day appointments are available, and our team will meet you without judgment.
1010 E McDowell Rd, Suite 410, Phoenix, AZ 85006 · Open until 7 PM Wednesdays