How To Handle Fear of Driving or PTSD 

Even if you’ve only ever been in a minor fender bender, you still know the feelings of stress and fear that can stay with you for days. It’s natural to feel scared to drive after any type of car accident, since being involved in a crash is traumatic.

Some people develop a phobia called dystychiphobia (a fear of accidents) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individuals who have been in or witnessed a serious or fatal accident may even be unable to ride in a car without experiencing symptoms. Fortunately, recovery is possible with the right treatments and support.

The Emotional Aftermath of a Car Accident 

The immediate emotional reactions after a car accident vary. It’s normal to feel shock, anger, fear, guilt, and other strong emotions. These feelings are part of the body’s natural response to trauma. In most cases, these feelings pass with time. However, sometimes, they persist or worsen. When this happens, a person may develop phobias or driving PTSD.

Individuals who are already living with an anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or substance use disorder may have a higher risk of developing a driving phobia, according to information from Cleveland Clinic.

Driving Anxiety After a Car Accident 

Driving anxiety is also known as amaxophobia or motorphobia. Both conditions refer to an irrational fear of being in a car. Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder. Symptoms of driving anxiety may include: 

• Racing heartbeat 
• Dizziness 
• Fainting 
• Chest pain 
• Shortness of breath 
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Feeling of impending doom 
• Nausea 
• Overwhelming fear of being in another accident 

A person with driving anxiety may become a “backseat” driver who frequently points out hazards when someone else is driving. They might also go out of their way to avoid certain locations they believe are dangerous. Sticking to familiar routes may help, but simply being in a vehicle can cause stress.

What Is Dystychiphobia (Fear of Accidents)? 

Dystychiphobia is the specific fear of being in an accident. A person with this phobia has intense and persistent fear of auto collisions and other types of accidents, even if they are not in a vehicle. It can affect their ability to leave the house, go to school, or hold down a job.

Dystychiphobia also has other causes. Some people carry a gene mutation that increases their chance of developing a phobia. Hearing others talk about their own fears can create a phobic response. Losing a loved one in an auto accident can also lead to dystychiphobia and PTSD.

Development of PTSD After a Car Accident

Most people relate major events, like combat or a natural disaster to PTSD. However, according to a study from the National Institutes of Health, over 39% of motor vehicle accident survivors develop PTSD. 

Car crashes can be highly traumatic, especially if someone is severely or fatally injured. People who develop PTSD may have other risk factors for the condition. They may not have the coping skills or emotional support needed to overcome a distressing event without help.

Symptoms can develop weeks or months after the event and can become a serious threat to a person’s mental health. Some symptoms of accident-related PTSD include: 

• Nightmares 
• Intrusive memories and flashbacks of the accident 
• Hypervigilance while driving or riding in a car 
• Avoiding the people and places that remind them of the accident 
• Negative mood changes and mood swings 
• Trouble concentrating
• Memory problems 
• Difficulty sleeping 

PTSD can lead to debilitating depression, aggressive behavior, and suicidal thoughts. It is a serious condition that requires help from medical professionals. If you or someone you care about is displaying symptoms of PTSD after an accident, don’t ignore it. Symptoms won’t go away or magically get better without intervention. 

The good news is, PTSD is treatable. People can learn the coping skills they need to recover from a traumatic accident, but it takes time. Encourage your loved one to seek professional help.

Signs and Symptoms That Indicate Fear of Driving 

It’s natural to be upset, nervous, or fearful after being in an auto collision. It can be difficult to distinguish phobia and PTSD symptoms from a healthy reaction. If a person’s emotional reactions are getting more extreme as the days go by, they could be developing a mental health condition that needs treatment.

Understanding the range of symptoms that may occur when a person has difficulty learning how to calm down after a car accident will help. Emotional symptoms of car accident anxiety include: 

• Fear of riding in or driving a car 
• Panic attacks when you must travel in a vehicle or go near the scene of an accident 
• Feeling overly alert and on the lookout for potential danger while driving/riding 
• Guilt 
• Sadness 

Possible psychological symptoms may include: 

• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Flashbacks, intrusive memories 
• Nightmares 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Angry outbursts 
• Dissociative experiences 
• Negative thinking 

All types of anxiety can cause physical symptoms, such as: 

• Rapid heartbeat 
• Shortness of breath 
• Sweating 
• Shaking 
• Muscle pain 
• Fatigue 
• Digestive discomfort 

Driving anxieties can affect a person’s behavior in unexpected ways. Some of the behavioral symptoms include: 

• Excessive worry 
• Avoiding driving or riding in any type of vehicle 
• Lashing out at others for no reason 
• Taking longer routes to avoid the accident scene or roads where accidents are more common 
• Missing school, work, or appointments because of transportation problems

It’s not necessary to experience all of these symptoms to be diagnosed with driving anxiety or phobia. Any symptoms that are affecting your quality of life are serious. 

Effective Strategies for Handling Fear of Driving and PTSD 

Have you wondered how to get over PTSD from a car accident? Speaking to a mental health professional who specializes in treating trauma and anxiety is the first step. A therapist may recommend different types of trauma therapy depending on your health history and symptoms.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

CBT is a type of talk therapy that’s frequently used to treat phobias. CBT is based on the idea that your thoughts influence your feelings and behaviors. Learning how to change negative thinking patterns is one method for reducing symptoms.

CBT is considered a fast-moving form of therapy. Sessions may last as little as six weeks. Participants also receive “homework” that helps to reinforce the lessons they are learning in therapy sessions.

Exposure Therapy 

Exposure therapy can help people learn how to overcome their fears after a car accident. This treatment involves gradually exposing people to their fears. For example, visiting the neighborhood where your accident happened could help alleviate avoidance symptoms. 

With time and support from a professional, you could gradually work up to driving by the scene of the accident without experiencing symptoms.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) 

EMDR seeks to alleviate trauma symptoms by rewiring the way the brain responds to traumatic memories. An EMDR therapist leads their client through several steps that include recalling the accident and then participating in a series of taps, eye movements, and other reprocessing motions.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) 

TF-CBT is similar to traditional CBT but was specifically developed to help children and teens. The goal of TF-CBT is to help young people cope with their trauma before a mental health condition develops. This therapy can help reduce sleep problems, emotional distress, and other PTSD symptoms in adolescents.

TF-CBT can also be effective for helping children manage grief if a loved one was killed in a car accident. The symptoms of PTSD and car anxiety may present differently in children than in adults. Make sure to speak with a mental health professional who is trained to work with young people.

Supportive Therapy 

Supportive therapy is an approach that offers empathy and guidance without traditional psychoanalysis. A supportive therapist focuses on immediate concerns, not problems that stem from childhood. This modality can be an effective PTSD car accident treatment because it deals with present issues.

Medication 

A therapist may also recommend medications as part of your overall treatment program. Medications that treat symptoms like anxiety or depression can be helpful while a person is working to learn new coping skills or heal from other types of trauma.

How Self-Help and Coping Mechanisms Can Help 

There are several steps you can take to learn healthy coping mechanisms. These self-help steps can be taken with or without the guidance of a therapist. Start by acknowledging to yourself that your feelings are valid. Then, consider these suggestions: 

• Talk about it: Speak about your experiences with trusted friends, family, or support groups. 
• Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, meditation, or yoga may be helpful. 
• Gradual exposure: Start with short drives on familiar, safe routes with minimal traffic. 
• Challenge negative thoughts: Learn to identify and question irrational fears about driving and replace them with more realistic and positive self-talk. 
• Stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep can reduce anxiety. 
• Create a safe and comfortable driving environment: Ensure the car feels safe and comfortable and consider things like playing calming music. 
• Consider defensive driving courses: These can help rebuild confidence and provide practical safety skills. 
• Install safety technology: Features, like dash cams or advanced safety systems, can improve your sense of security. 

Working to improve your coping skills can help you recover from driving anxiety and benefit your overall well-being.

How Personal Injury Attorneys Can Provide Compensation for Emotional Distress

When questioning how to get over car accident trauma, speaking with a car accident lawyer may not be your first thought. However, dealing with the medical bills, insurance representatives, and other complications of a car accident may increase feelings of stress and anxiety. 

Some victims don’t seek the therapy they need to cope with accident anxiety because of financial issues. A personal injury claim can provide the compensation needed to recover from emotional distress. You may also be eligible for compensation related to PTSD and driving therapies.

Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, can help alleviate the stress by handling your legal matters. Seeking legal counsel doesn’t mean your emotional recovery is secondary. Fighting for the compensation you deserve can provide the financial support you need to seek treatment.

Call Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, to learn if you have a valid car accident injury claim. Contact us at (813) 333-6666 in Tampa, at (941) 822-2222 in Sarasota, or at (727) 999-5555 in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. You can also contact us online to learn more.

FAQ

Citations: 

Blanchard, E. (1995). Psychiatric Morbidity Associated With Motor Vehicle Accidents. 

Dystychiphobia (Fear of Accidents).(2025).  

Norman, S. (2025). PTSD: Common Reactions After Trauma. 

CPTSD Foundation. (2025).