Harm from a motorcycle accident can go beyond bodily injury. Many riders who’ve survived motorcycle accidents sustain emotional or mental harm in addition to physical pain or injury. The mental impact of a motorcycle accident can be as severe as a physical injury. Many surviving bikers experience symptoms of mental trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, after a motorcycle accident.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident and are experiencing new fears, flashbacks, anxiety, or depression, you may be experiencing PTSD from a motorcycle accident. PTSD after a motorcycle accident is more common than most people imagine. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to deal with PTSD after your accident. Below, the The New York Personal Injury & No-fault Collections Law Firm attorneys explain PTSD and the steps you can take to deal with PTSD from a motorcycle accident. Do not hesitate to contact us directly if you’d like us to answer a question specific to your claim, including your eligibility for compensation for PTSD or other mental trauma.
Studies have shown that it’s relatively common to have PTSD after an accident. Frightening or traumatic events trigger PTSD. Motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents, frequently leave survivors traumatized, resulting in PTSD.
PTSD is primarily characterized by its symptoms, including:
- Re-experiencing the accident–including flashbacks or nightmares of the accident;
- Avoidance –such as avoiding people, places, things, and thoughts that remind you of the accident;
- Arousal and reactivity issues–including feeling stressed, irritable, tense, or startling easily;
- Cognition and mood issues–such as having memory issues, negative thoughts, social anxiety, or losing interest in things that previously interested you.
If you are experiencing these or other psychological symptoms after your motorcycle accident, you should speak with a mental health professional.
Having PTSD after a motorcycle accident can profoundly impact your daily life. However, you can take steps to cope with your symptoms and recover. Below are some things you can do to manage PTSD.
The information given in this article is not intended to replace any medical advice given by medical professionals who are treating you for any issues and should not be used as a substitute to seeking help from a trained mental health professional.
Seek Medical Assistance
The first thing you should do if you believe you have PTSD from a motorcycle accident is to seek medical assistance. Your doctor can examine you to rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms. Then, your doctor will send you to a psychologist or a psychiatrist for an evaluation. They can then create a treatment plan to help you manage your PTSD symptoms.
A medical diagnosis is essential. It will help you understand your condition and treatment options. It’s also important because it can support a compensation claim if you wish to pursue a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Follow Through with Treatment Plans
Dealing with PTSD due to a motorcycle accident doesn’t stop with the diagnosis. The best way you can learn to cope with your PTSD and heal is to follow through on the treatment plan that your doctor has created for you. Treatment may include attending ongoing counseling sessions and taking medication.
Additionally, it will help if you have a compensation claim. You may have to prove that you complied with your treatment plan to recover damages for your PTSD or any other emotional distress. Otherwise, the responsible party may argue that your condition is not serious or that you exacerbated your symptoms by failing to get treatment.
Learn Your Triggers
People with PTSD are often triggered by certain things that remind them of the traumatic event that caused the PTSD. Triggers can be sights, sounds, thoughts, tastes, or smells that remind you of the accident. Your trigger can also be people or locations. Identifying your triggers is an integral part of treating your PTSD. Work with your therapist to learn your triggers and how to manage your response to them.
Find Support
A support system can also help treat your PTSD. People with PTSD often feel like isolating, which can increase feelings of depression. Try to spend time with family and friends. You don’t need to speak to them about your feelings or the accident.
In addition to family and friends, you can find support from others who’ve experienced PTSD. There are many support groups where you can share with others who understand what you are feeling. Ask your therapist for a local recommendation.
Collect Documentation and Witnesses
Even though it may not be on your mind when dealing with PTSD, it’s important to keep a record of all medical conditions related to the accident, including PTSD. Keep a list of your doctors and hold on to your medical records.
Additionally, witnesses can be helpful if you want compensation for any harm related to the accident. Collect names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the accident. Speak with your attorney about any family members or friends who can discuss how the accident impacted you mentally and emotionally.
Speak with an Attorney
If someone else caused your accident, you should speak with an attorney. Investigating your case and gathering evidence can cause you unneeded stress and anxiety at a time when you need to focus on your health. An attorney, like those at TonaLaw, can:
- Investigate your case,
- Gather evidence,
- Handle your claim,
- Negotiate a potential settlement with the at-fault party, and
- Fight your case in court, if necessary.
An experienced New York personal injury attorney can also ensure you don’t miss any filing deadlines for your case.
You might be eligible for compensation for PTSD after a motorcycle accident if someone else caused your accident. Generally, accident victims can seek economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party. Economic damages include:
- The costs of medical bills,
- Treatment expenses,
- Medication costs,
- Property damage,
- Lost wages for the time you cannot work due to your injuries, whether the injuries are physical or mental in nature.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, compensate you for the emotional or mental impact the accident has on your quality of life. This means you can seek compensation for how your PTSD impacts your daily life.
Non-economic damages are subjective and difficult to quantify. Your attorney may collect information from your therapist, psychiatrist, friends, and family to estimate your non-economic damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you calculate your possible economic and non-economic damages.
The physical and mental impact of a motorcycle accident can be harrowing. If you have PTSD after a motorcycle accident, you should not worry about figuring out the legal system. Instead, hire The New York Personal Injury & No-fault Collections Law Firm to handle your compensation claim so you can focus on your recovery. Our advocates care deeply about our clients and will fight to make sure you get fair compensation. Contact us today by calling 833-TONALAW to learn about The New York Personal Injury & No-fault Collections Law Firm difference.
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