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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that affects Americans who have endured trauma or times of extreme duress. This condition can result from any number of traumatic experiences, including auto and motorcycle accidents.
While not everyone involved in a motorcycle accident experiences PTSD, it is an important possibility to consider when assessing your overall health following a collision on the road. If you were in a motorcycle accident, consider asking a healthcare professional about whether or not you suffer from PTSD.
When considering who is most likely to develop PTSD after a motorcycle accident, you might think that only a motorist or biker directly involved in the crash could develop the condition.
However, witnesses of the crash might also develop PTSD symptoms. First responders and anyone else who saw significant injuries on one or more persons might additionally be traumatized by the sight.
Even well after the incident, someone who cares for an individual recovering from crash-related injuries might experience PTSD. This includes both healthcare professionals and loved ones actively participating in patient care.
PTSD looks different in every afflicted person. Some may not even realize that what they are experiencing is PTSD. Common symptoms of PTSD include:
Victims of a motorcycle-related crash may feel extremely averse to getting back on the bike for a time. In the same way, motorists who were involved in a crash, or who witnessed one while driving, may hesitate to get back behind the wheel. While these behaviors on their own do not indicate PTSD, they may be taken into account with other symptoms by a doctor taking a look at your overall mental state.
If you believe that you may have PTSD following a vehicle accident, seek treatment as soon as possible. While the symptoms are often invisible, they can be just as painful as a visible wound. If left untreated, PTSD can develop into severe depression and/or anxiety. Contact a health care provider for a full assessment.
Following a motorcycle accident, you may require treatment for a number of different injuries. These could range from minor cuts and bruises to more consequential issues like broken bones and internal bleeding. In any case, your medical expenses may quickly add up.
Your insurance will likely cover at least a portion of your hospital bill or other ongoing medical expenses. In order to prove to your insurance carrier that you need continued support for your medical treatment.
You might need to provide documentation proving your attendance at appointments such as physical therapy or other regular check-ups. In addition, you’ll need a doctor’s note or another form of evidence that these appointments are necessary due to injuries sustained during a crash.
Cases which result in PTSD sometimes involve other forms of extensive damage or bodily injury. Be sure that you receive evaluation for all possible conditions related to the incident and that there is ample documentation to provide to your insurance carrier or to submit to a court. You may be entitled to compensation for related expenses, such as:
Your direct medical expenses are not the only costs related to newly developed conditions for which you may be entitled to further payments. Depending on how badly you were hurt, or how long lasting your conditions are, you may be able to receive payments for related pain and suffering
Conditions resulting from a vehicle accident may inhibit you from working or pursuing employment opportunities in the same way or to the same caliber as before. This situation might result from physical injuries, mental conditions or a combination thereof. You may be able to receive compensation for the earnings you lost out on.
No two cases are exactly alike. After receiving an overview of your case, a Florida personal injury attorney can tell you what you may be able to file for when seeking compensation.
In some situations, your insurance company may not offer you enough to cover all of the costs resulting from a motorcycle accident. If this happens, you have a few options.
You may choose to pursue negotiation with your insurance company. You might begin this process by filing a formal complaint or filing a lawsuit.
Another route you might take is choosing to sue another motorist personally. These cases are especially strong if you believe that another motorist was mostly or entirely at fault. Lawsuits against individuals may result in financial coverage for your medical expenses, as well as property damage and other repairs needed to restore your motorcycle.
In specific situations, you may also have a case to sue your bike manufacturer for damages. However, in order to win these cases, you will need to provide substantial proof that the accident was a direct result of a bike malfunction that you did not cause.
Floridians have four years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. At first, this may appear like a long period of time. However, like all court proceedings, lawsuit cases can stretch out over weeks to months. Preparation, too, can take time as you locate witnesses, track down medical documentation and dig up photographic or video evidence.
After the four year time window closes, a judge may not hear any portion of your case. Often, it is wise to begin pursuing legal action as soon as possible in order to avoid running out of time.
As soon as you decide to file a lawsuit for mental or physical injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident, get in touch with a motorcycle accident lawyer. They can take much of the legwork of a lawsuit off of your plate.
A qualified accident lawyer can track down evidence that builds up your case. This includes interviewing witnesses and requesting video footage from nearby businesses that documented the crash. On top of this, a personal injury attorney can keep track of the progress of your case and make sure that everything is appropriately filed well before any crucial deadlines.
After a motorcycle accident that causes PTSD or other lasting conditions, you deserve to receive the maximum possible amount of compensation. Rely on a legal team that will dutifully represent you and your loved ones.
At Kogan & Disalvo, we know that we are fighting for more than just money; we’re fighting for your quality of life going forward. Our team members are ready to go to court for every dollar that you are owed. Contact us today for a completely free review of your case performed by one of our winning attorneys.
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