If you have been in a car crash, you may find yourself struggling to get a good night’s rest. This post covers the main causes of sleep disturbances after a car accident. Connecting with car accident doctors can be an important first step toward identifying what is keeping you up at night.
Common car accidents often result in injuries that make it painful to lie down, shift positions, or relax enough to fall asleep. A car accident injury, like whiplash or a fracture, can create persistent discomfort that follows you into the bedroom. Even injuries that seem minor at first can develop into chronic pain conditions that interrupt sleep.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, roadway deaths declined to an estimated 40,990 in 2023, a 3.6% decrease from 2022. However, millions of crash survivors each year may experience lingering issues that affect recovery, including sleep disturbances.
Physical injuries contribute to poor sleep in several ways:
Traffic Safety Facts by the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that an estimated 2.44 million people sustained injuries in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those injuries directly affect how well survivors are able to sleep during recovery.
A lack of sleep is a hazard on and off the road. According to the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, driver fatigue has been linked to 16% to 20% of serious highway accidents across multiple countries. However, while sleep disturbances contribute to crashes, they also pose a common concern after the crash.
Often, managing sleep problems after a traumatic car accident means addressing anxiety, stress, and trauma alongside physical injuries. Your brain’s stress response may have flooded your system with cortisol and adrenaline to keep you alert even when your body was exhausted. That’s why post-traumatic stress disorder can be a significant contributor to post-accident insomnia.
Many crash survivors experience anxiety or trauma-related symptoms that can persist for months or longer. Seeing a car accident doctor soon after your crash gives you the best chance of catching physical and mental health concerns early.
A physician can evaluate you for concussions, soft tissue injuries, and injuries that may not produce obvious symptoms right away. Depending on the diagnosis, there are several treatment approaches your doctor may recommend:
Determining how to treat sleep disturbances after a car accident depends on what is causing them, which is why a proper medical evaluation matters.
Sleep disturbances can affect everything from your job performance to your personal relationships. Visiting a doctor after a car accident as soon as possible ensures the care you need.
Accident Help Zone can connect you with providers who understand the physical and emotional toll a crash can take. Doctors in our directory accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available, so call (888) 412-8488 to find a car accident doctor in NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE, FL, and MA today.
Here are some common questions about sleep issues following a crash.
Yes. Sleep problems can emerge days or even weeks after a crash.
Many states, like New York, require no-fault PIP coverage, which may include medical treatment for sleep disorders linked to a car accident injury. Accident victims in tort states like Connecticut may need to explore other options.
Sleep disturbances after a car accident may require medical attention if you experience persistent insomnia, excessive daytime fatigue, frequent nightmares, or significant changes in your mood or memory.
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