Not every accident survivor will have PTSD. People with PTSD often have
risk factors for PTSD, while those without PTSD often have certain “resilience
factors.” Risk factors for PTSD include witnessing people dying
or getting hurt, living through life-threatening events, experiencing
extreme fear or terror, or having a history of mental illness. One or
any of these factors make it more likely you’ll develop PTSD after
an accident.