When you have suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you face a host of physical, psychological, and financial issues. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the accident can complicate your recovery and make it more difficult to return to your daily life. Fortunately, you can include PTSD in your compensation claim for your motorcycle accident case.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Defined
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), PTSD occurs when someone experiences a frightening or dangerous incident, such as a motorcycle accident. The initial fight-or-flight fear response occurs naturally in response to the dangerous event; however, when the response continues or recurs for more than one month following the incident, the patient may have PTSD.
If you have PTSD as a result of a motorcycle accident in Indiana, speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your legal right to compensation.
For a free legal consultation, call 317-636-7777
How PTSD Affects Your Quality of Life
PTSD can be a debilitating condition that affects every aspect of your daily life. If you suffer from PTSD after a motorcycle accident, you could experience the following symptoms:
- Flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Intrusive thoughts
- Avoidance
- Reactivity
- Tension and edginess
- Easily startled
- Anger and stress
- Difficulty with daily tasks
- Losing sleep
- Negative feelings
- Losing interest in relationships and hobbies
Many PTSD patients experience anxiety or depression at the same time or because of PTSD. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience PTSD symptoms. A mental health care provider will offer treatment options to help you recover your mental and emotional health. The records from these treatments can also be used to support your injury claim.
Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
Injuries you suffer after a motorcycle accident can include physical, mental, and financial damages. When your attorney reviews your claim, they establish the value of your case based on the losses you experienced as a result of the accident. These damages can be classified as economic and non-economic.
Economic damages are easily quantifiable values that can be calculated based on actual documentation. They may include lost income, medical bills, cost of medical equipment, and motorcycle repair costs.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are more difficult to establish a financial value for. Such damages include pain and suffering, PTSD, mental and emotional anguish, loss of companionship, and loss of quality of life.
An attorney with experience handling motorcycle accident claims can help you gather the evidence you need to establish the value for your PTSD and other non-economic losses. This may include medical records and bills, testimony from medical and economic experts, receipts and invoices, and treatment records for your PTSD.
Click to contact our Does PTSD Count for Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Case? today
Proving PTSD Injury in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
When you file an injury claim against the responsible party or their insurance company, you will need evidence to prove:
- The at-fault party was mostly or fully responsible for the accident.
- The at-fault party had a responsibility to drive safely.
- The other party’s failure to act responsibly caused the accident.
- You were directly injured as a result of the accident.
Your lawyer will know how to establish fault in an accident. Since Indiana is a 51% liability state, the attorney will need to prove that the other party was at least 51% responsible for your accident. To do so, they will obtain video and photos of the accident scene, witness testimony, police reports, and expert accident reconstruction.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
An Attorney Can Help You Place a Value on PTSD and Other Non-Economic Losses
Although you may consider pursuing an insurance claim on your own, it is often in your best interests to seek compensation from an attorney familiar with Indiana motorcycle accident claims. With an attorney on your side, you do not have to worry about negotiating a settlement, gathering evidence, and filing a lawsuit.
Working with an attorney has other benefits. A lawyer who has handled motorcycle injury cases will understand the unique difficulties faced by accident victims. They will have the knowledge and resources to obtain documentation and expert testimony that support your claim. What’s more, they can help you reduce the stress of medical bills and other financial obligations that tend to pile up after an injury.
Protect Your Legal Rights: Contact Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. Today
When you are facing the long road to recovery after a motorcycle accident, you can use an attorney who acts in your best interests. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. are well-versed in Indiana injury law and have successfully pursued injury cases on behalf of thousands of victims across the state.
Our founding partner, Randall “Randy” Sevenish is an avid biker with extensive knowledge of both motorcycling and motorcycle law. He and our team of dedicated attorneys will work to obtain the documents you need to support your claim for PTSD and other damages after a motorcycle accident.
Contact us today to discuss your legal options.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
