Can a Motorbike Accident Cause PTSD?
If you or someone you love suffered life-changing or life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle accident, you could be left with more than post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You can also face lengthy recovery times, growing medical bills, and time off work. A motorcycle accident lawyer in your area can demand compensation for your physical, mental, and emotional injuries.
A Motorcycle Accident Can Result in Physical and Psychological Trauma
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the injury rate for motorcyclists is four times higher than that of vehicle occupants. In addition to physical trauma, you can suffer from psychological damage that requires costly professional therapy and long-term support.
What to Do If You Notice the Signs and Symptoms of PTSD
Seek treatment immediately if you notice any of the warning signs of PTSD after a motorcycle accident. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) guidelines cite the following symptoms:
- Flashbacks of the accident
- Sleep disturbances
- Avoiding talking about the accident
- Incessant and intrusive memories
- Prolonged emotional distress
- Lack of enjoyment in previous activities
- Irritability, fatigue, and depression
Symptoms may not become evident for up to three months, so be sure to track your medical care, including any mental health care you require. Keep your personal injury attorney fort lauderdale abreast of your treatments and their cost so they can be included in your compensation request.
Your Compensation Request Can Include the Costs of Treating Your PTSD
Just as it can take time for the symptoms of PTSD from a motorcycle accident to become noticeable, it can take time to recover. Treatment can begin after a definitive diagnosis and involve various forms of therapy, including:
- Cognitive therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
You could also require medications, including antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. In many cases, treating PTSD can mean learning coping skills and recognizing triggers.
You can recover the costs of your diagnostic procedures and prescribed treatment from the at-fault party by filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Additional Recoverable Damages After a Motorcycle Accident
Mental and emotional healthcare costs after a motorcycle accident are recoverable economic damages—easy to document with records and bills. You can also seek compensation for:
- Past and future lost income
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Treatment-related travel costs
- Property damage or loss
- Diminished property value
You can also go after non-economic damages. These losses are intangible but can be supported with substantive evidence, such as witness statements and medical bills. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, lasting physical impairment, disfiguring injuries, and loss of enjoyment of life.
A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Demand the Compensation You Deserve
While you cope with your physical and emotional recovery, your Florida motorcycle accident lawyer can build your compensation case. To recover fair damages from PTSD, motorcycle accident injuries, and property damage, your west palm beach motorcycle accident lawyer will:
- Investigate your motorcycle accident
- Build a strong case file
- Calculate your compensation
- Negotiate a sufficient settlement
- Obtain a copy of the official motorcycle accident report
- Draft and file your case
- Communicate on your behalf
- Locate and interview available witnesses
- Take your case to court, if needed
Many personal injury law firms will also accept your case on a contingency fee basis, allowing the lawyer to get started right away without you incurring any out-of-pocket costs. Under this fee agreement, they will finance all the costs related to your case and only get paid if you do.
A Local Lawyer Can Help You Comply With the Filing Deadline in Your State
The statute of limitations, or the legal filing deadline, in your state is a mandatory part of your case. It can also be a confusing part since the date on which it begins can vary based on multiple factors. It can be hard to accurately determine the statutory filing deadline on your own.
A local Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyer can assess the outcome of the accident, the age of the injured parties, and other factors that affect the statute of limitations. From there, they can explain the steps they take to file your lawsuit within the allotted time.
Make sure you get in touch with a law firm soon, though. Waiting too long to act could lead the court to dismiss your case, leaving you to pay off your losses.
Call Our Firm for Your Free PTSD Motorcycle Accident Consultation Today
If you or someone you love was injured and suffered PTSD from a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company. Our law firm can help you determine the value of your case and recover appropriate damages.
Get started by calling us at (954) 633-8270 or contacting the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today.
