It’s common to experience sleep problems after a car accident. The trauma of the event can cause stress and anxiety, which might make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep. Injuries from the accident can also lead to discomfort at night, interrupting your sleep pattern.
This lack of rest can affect your mood, energy, personal relationships, physical health, and mental health. If you notice sleep difficulties or changes in your sleep patterns, it is essential to see a doctor who can help you manage the symptoms and improve your sleep.
If someone else was responsible for the crash, you should also contact our car accident attorneys for help filing an injury claim to seek compensation for your suffering.
Possible Sleep Disorders That Could Be Caused by a Car Accident
Many people who’ve recently been in a car accident have trouble sleeping. These sleep disturbances are not just limited to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep but also include various issues that disrupt sleep quality, sometimes affecting how well they can rest and recover.
Some common examples of sleep problems after a car accident include:
- Insomnia – Insomnia is a common sleep problem that makes it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night. After a car accident, the stress and anxiety of the experience can keep your mind too active, preventing you from relaxing enough to drift off to sleep. That can cause you to lie awake for hours or wake up too early and struggle to fall back asleep again.
- Hypersomnia—Hypersomnia, or excessive sleeping, can also occur after a car accident. With hypersomnia, you might feel overwhelmingly sleepy during the day, even if you sleep a lot at night. Excessive sleep could be your body’s way of recovering from the trauma of the accident, or it might be a sign of emotional difficulties like depression.
- Nightmares – Nightmares can result from flashbacks to the accident and significantly disrupt your sleep. You might find yourself waking up from vivid nightmares that replay the accident or similar traumatic events. These nightmares are not just scary – they can cause you to develop persistent fears of going to sleep, disrupting your sleep cycle and leading to excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Difficulty sleeping due to depression – Depression can stem from the emotional impact of the accident, such as dealing with injuries, financial stress, or the shock of the experience. Common sleep-related symptoms of depression include sleeping too much or too little. To make matters worse, the sleep you do get might not be as restful, leaving you tired and listless.
Other Sleep-Related Problems That May Occur After a Car Accident
Several physical and psychological issues can affect your sleep after a car accident.
Problems like the following can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep and disrupt your daily life:
- Difficulty relaxing tense muscles – The shock and trauma of a car accident can cause your muscles to tense up as a defensive response. The tension can persist long after the accident, making it uncomfortable to lie down and relax and disrupting your ability to fall or stay asleep.
- Headaches – Headaches can result from crash injuries like concussions, the physical strain of the accident, or the stress that follows. Persistent or severe headaches can make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position and can wake you up if they occur during the night.
- Increased anxiety levels – Worrying about the consequences of the accident, such as financial issues and physical injuries, can make your mind too active to fall asleep easily. Anxiety can also lead to racing thoughts at bedtime, preventing you from getting quality sleep.
- Chronic pain – Whether it’s back pain, neck pain, or other types of discomfort, chronic pain after an accident can make it tough to find a comfortable sleeping position. Chronic pain might also wake you up throughout the night, making it hard to achieve deep, restorative sleep.
- Environmental sensitivity – If you suffered a head injury during the accident, you might be more sensitive to the usual light and noise in your bedroom environment. That can prevent you from sleeping well or continuously, making it harder to recover from your injuries.
Can Whiplash Cause Sleep Problems?
Yes, whiplash can cause sleep issues after a car accident. Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head snaps backward and forward, which is particularly common in rear-end car accidents. Whiplash can lead to several issues that disrupt sleep. You might experience neck pain and stiffness, making it hard to find a comfortable sleeping position. The pain can also wake you up during the night, making it difficult to stay asleep. Contact our Virginia car accident lawyer today.
Treatments for Sleep Issues After a Car Accident
Depending on the circumstances, your doctor might recommend various strategies to treat sleep problems after a car accident. For instance, they might prescribe sleep medications or other prescription drugs to ease the pain or manage the anxiety that is keeping you awake. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be an effective treatment for insomnia by helping you address thoughts and behaviors that disrupt sleep.
Your doctor might also suggest establishing a regular sleep routine to improve sleep quality. It could involve creating a relaxing bedtime routine and going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. Doctors might also recommend physical therapy for certain injuries to reduce pain and make sleeping easier.
Is It Safe to Sleep After a Car Accident?
As long as you did not suffer a traumatic brain injury in the motor vehicle accident, it is likely safe for you to sleep afterward. However, getting checked by a doctor first is a good idea. That is especially crucial if you hit your head during the collision or feel dazed, confused, or unusually tired. A doctor can examine you for any severe injuries like concussions that might require immediate treatment.
If a doctor clears you, then sleeping is not only safe but also beneficial. Rest helps our bodies heal and recover. However, if your symptoms worsen after sleeping or if you experience new symptoms, seek medical attention immediately to ensure there are no complications.
Our Virginia Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Seek Compensation
If you’re struggling with sleep problems after a car accident in Virginia, reach out to Marks & Harrison for help. Our attorneys are ready to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve, handling all the legal details while you focus on your recovery.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can support you during this challenging time.
