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Can a Motorcycle Accident Cause PTSD | Tatum & Atkinson

Can a Motorcycle Accident Cause PTSD?

Home / FAQ / Motorcycle Accident FAQ / Can a Motorcycle Accident Cause PTSD?

A motorcycle in the road after a motorcycle accident.

In many cases, a motorcycle accident injury victim can sustain severe injuries. These injuries may even become permanent or life-threatening.  But can a motorcycle accident cause PTSD? In short, yes. For many survivors, psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can accompany physical damages incurred after an accident. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is often a debilitating condition that can develop after trauma, such as being involved in a life-threatening event such as a motorcycle accident or becoming a motorcycle accident injury victim. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may occur in anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. Traumatic events include abuse, accidents, death, combat, natural disasters, and more. Psychological disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can make healing and moving on from the motorcycle accident difficult, especially as in many cases, these disorders can become long-lasting.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and believe you have developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters’, for a free, confidential case evaluation by calling (800) 529-0804 or contacting us online. Although living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be highly stressful, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Tatum & Atkinson are here to take some of the stress off your back and allow you to focus your time and energy on recovering.

PTSD After Motorcycle Accident

If you are struggling emotionally and mentally after being involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Developing PTSD after a motorcycle accident is not uncommon, as many individuals may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after a potentially life-threatening event, even if they did not sustain any injuries. Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may include:

  • Memory issues
  • Physical reactions to reminders of the event
  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Feelings of hopelessness
  • Detachment
  • Self-destructive behavior

Unfortunately, the symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can be lifelong and may affect everyone differently. It is estimated that 1 out of every 11 people will be diagnosed with PTSD in their lifetime. In the U.S., it is estimated that 3.5% of adults are affected by PTSD annually. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect your overall quality of life, including your ability to work, your relationships, and more.

PTSD From Motorcycle Accident

Studies show that individuals may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder even if physically unharmed during a traumatic event. Being involved in a life-threatening event is one of the most common scenarios in which an individual may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Given the minimal protection that riders have while riding a motorcycle, it is not uncommon for bikers to be thrown from their motorcycles during an accident or to sustain severe injuries. Common motorcycle injuries can include:

  • Road rash
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Burns
  • Broken bones
  • And more

After sustaining a severe injury, the pain and fear associated with the accident can leave lasting psychological effects on motorcycle accident victims that may increase the likelihood of that individual developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

PTSD Motorcycle Therapy

Diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder will need to be done by a medical or mental health professional and will typically be diagnosed after receiving a psychological evaluation. Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder often includes medications for symptom management, counseling, or psychotherapy. PTSD motorcycle therapy will give motorcycle accident victims coping skills and methods to process and heal from traumatic memories of the event and their symptoms.

After a motorcycle crash, often the focus will be on addressing any related economic damages incurred from the collision, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more. Motorcycle accident-associated damages can be quite significant, especially if a victim faces long-term medical or mental health issues related to the incident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Therapy and medications for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can become quite costly, especially considering the length of treatment.

Therefore, motorcycle accident victims must pursue compensation for damages if the accident was due to another driver’s negligence. Additionally, non-economic damages account for all the psychological and emotional difficulties caused by accidents affecting your quality of life. Therefore, you may be further compensated for your pain and suffering related to the accident, as well as for medical expenses and other economic damages incurred from the motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle Accident PTSD Financial Compensation

You may be eligible for compensation if you have developed PTSD after being involved in a motorcycle accident. North Carolina law allows an injury victim to receive compensation for economic and non-economic damages. PTSD is often considered a type of non-economic damage. Although medical treatment of PTSD may financially impact the victim, the life-changing symptoms often associated with PTSD affecting the quality of life of a motorcycle accident victim are grouped into non-economic damages.

In a motorcycle accident injury claim, to prove you have PTSD, an official diagnosis from a mental health professional or medical professional will often be required. Therefore, if you notice any potential signs of PTSD after a motorcycle accident, see a professional right away. In addition, you may want to begin journaling your symptoms and how your life has changed following the accident.

If you need help proving PTSD following a motorcycle accident or ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries, consult with a motorcycle injury accident lawyer. An experienced attorney will have the legal knowledge you need to build a strong claim. Receiving financial compensation for mental health conditions or emotional stress may be difficult. Consult the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

Motorcycle Injury Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, whether or not you have sustained severe injuries, it is imperative that you receive an evaluation from a medical professional as soon as possible following the accident. Motorcycle accident injuries may cause lasting effects, even if you initially feel okay following the accident. If you notice any emotional or psychological symptoms following your motorcycle accident, you should receive psychological counseling as soon as possible to help document your symptoms, pain, and suffering. A medical professional will help determine if you are experiencing any psychological difficulties related to the accident. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence, you deserve to receive just compensation for your injuries. When it comes to any emotional or psychological symptoms you may be facing due to the accident, you must mention these symptoms to a medical professional to get you properly diagnosed and evaluated.

Finally, if you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you should speak to an experienced motorcycle injury accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help substantiate the non-economic damages in your claim and ensure that you receive the best possible outcome from your claim. The experienced attorneys at Tatum & Atkinson, ‘the Heavy Hitters,’ will fight for your right to receive the just compensation you deserve for all current and future expected damages related to the claim. Call (800) 529-0804 or contact us online to receive your free, no-obligation case evaluation.