You can get post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a motorcycle accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of motorcycle accident injuries range from severe to fatal. These types of accidents classify as motor vehicle accidents, whether they involve a passenger car or not. Many times, motorcycle accidents occur with a passenger vehicle or several vehicles.
According to the Transportation Research Board (TRB), victims of serious motor vehicle accidents can develop PTSD as a resulting complication. PTSD represents a severe mental condition that can become life-threatening in some cases. Not only can a victim experience difficulty driving again, but they may also have bouts of depression that reduce their general quality of life or worse.
PTSD Symptoms
While it is natural to feel shaken up after an accident, people who develop PTSD experience symptoms for weeks or months after the accident, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM). PTSD can cause serious interruptions in a person’s family life or profession, which makes it a concern for severe motorcycle accident victims.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Nightmares about the accident
- Flashbacks that simulate the original shock of the accident
- Increased fear and negative patterns
- Depression
- Avoidance of areas or activities associated with the accident
- Difficulty sleeping
- General anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating
According to Medline Plus, the PTSD a motor vehicle accident victim experiences after the trauma can keep them from ever driving again. A change to someone’s daily routine of that nature can drastically affect their career and family life. If a victim can no longer drive to work or pick up a child from school, their new lack of independence can cause a financial strain.
Many motor vehicle accident victims do not seek therapy for the symptoms of PTSD, which further complicates the issue. If left untreated, PTSD can develop into severe depression that can become life-threatening.
Other Motorcycle Injuries
Along with PTSD, victims of motorcycle accidents can experience:
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spine injuries
- Burns
Even if you do not suffer shock from the immediate trauma of experiencing an accident, you can get PTSD from a motorcycle accident injury, especially if it is serious and requires a long recovery period.
Filing an Insurance Claim after a Motorcycle Accident
The prevalence of PTSD among serious motorcycle accident victims explains the demand for non-economic awards in insurance claims. In some cases, PTSD can even qualify a victim for economic awards if the condition impedes them from functioning normally at their job or results in extensive therapy and counseling costs.
The determining factor for a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit rests with liability. If you can prove that another driver was negligent in providing you a duty of care on the road, you may qualify for compensation.
Both economic and non-economic compensation may apply for your case, especially if you were diagnosed with PTSD from the accident. You have the option to work with a lawyer to establish liability, negligence, and your losses in order to seek compensation.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
After a motorcycle accident, you will likely be recovering from your injuries either inside or outside of the hospital. You will likely have accumulated medical bills and lost wages from your time away from work.
If you want to focus on your health and recovery, you can hire a lawyer to help you file a claim or personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer’s services may include:
- Investigating the accident for liability
- Gathering evidence of losses
- Calculating losses for fair compensation
- Communicating with insurance adjusters
- Representing you in trial
Some motorcycle victims do not believe they can afford a lawyer, but some law firms operate on a contingency fee basis. This allows the law firm to begin working on their case immediately and collect compensation if they win a financial award. It is the case with our motorcycle accident lawyers too. You will pay them only when they get you the settlement you need and deserve.
Consult Ben Crump Law, PLLC After Your Motorcycle Accident
You can get PTSD from a motorcycle accident just like you can from any other motor vehicle accident or traumatic incident. A diagnosis of PTSD, along with any other injuries you suffered as a result of the accident, may qualify you to seek compensation.
Pain and suffering classify as non-economic losses, and your motorcycle lawyer can help you evaluate what a fair settlement would look like for your suffering.
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-959-1444 for your free case evaluation.
