Broken bones, medical expenses, property damage—these are some of the words that may come to mind when you think about motorcycle accidents. Something that usually goes unconsidered after these accidents is mental health. Every day in the U.S., someone in need of mental health services related to a motorcycle crash goes untreated.
A motorcycle accident is a traumatic event—one known for causing gruesome physical injuries. However, the aftermath of motorcycle accidents often includes the presence of a mental health condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It isn’t difficult for motorcycle accident victims to develop PTSD from a crash, but it can be a difficult condition to heal from.
If you or someone you know has been in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, Idaho, or Montana, contact Mountain States Injury Law. We can help you recover compensation for your losses following a crash. Contact your Castle Rock, CO motorcycle accident lawyer today to begin.
Definition and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders After Motorcycle Accidents
PTSD is defined as a condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving difficulty sleeping and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and the outside world. It’s one of the most common and most debilitating psychological conditions.
PTSD is often associated with many other symptoms, all of which are known to take a toll on a person’s emotional and mental state.
- Avoidant or anti-social behaviors
- Mood swings caused by triggering memories
- Depression
- Hypervigilance
- Persistent intrusive thoughts
- Flashbacks
- Difficulty controlling anxiety
While not all motorcycle victims will develop PTSD, it’s important to note the condition has a significant impact on those who are affected by it. PTSD can impair one’s ability to contribute to society, hamper one’s ability to make and maintain interpersonal relationships, and cause physical health problems.
Who Does PTSD Affect in Motorcycle Accidents?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can impact many individuals after a motorcycle accident. Those affected most often include:
- Victims
- Witnesses
- Emergency personnel
- Family and friends
- Other drivers or passengers
PTSD can affect a victim’s willingness to ride their motorcycle again. They may believe that another accident is imminent. Some may even wrongfully believe they are at fault because they chose to ride a motorcycle instead of a car. Trauma can impact different people in different ways. Even seeing an accident play out, its aftermath, and the injuries that occur can have lasting effects on witnesses, emergency personnel, and other passengers.
If you’ve experienced ongoing trauma after an accident, then you may be entitled to compensation. If you’ve felt depression after your crash, want to control anxiety, or notice certain activities trigger memories of your accident, motorcycle accident professionals suggest consulting with Mountain States Injury Law.
Common Risk Factors Contributing to the Development of PTSD After Motorcycle Accident
Some motorcycle accident victims are more at risk for developing PTSD than others. More vulnerable individuals may have a harder time healing from the condition or may develop symptoms more rapidly than others.
The factors known to place someone at greater risk are:
- Social isolation
- The seriousness of the accident
- Presence and extent of physical injuries
- Pre-existing history of exposure to traumatic events
- Perceived life threat
- Pre-existing mental health conditions
- Post-accident stressors
- Coping strategies
- Lack of access to care
As a proactive measure, motorcycle riders may want to be conscious of these factors. Education about how symptoms of PTSD can emerge after a motorcycle crash is a good way to prepare in case an accident happens. Education can help accident victims shoulder the weight of common symptoms like depression and the emotional toll of other injuries.
The Importance of Seeking Medical and Psychological Help
After a motorcycle accident, seeking medical help is a crucial step towards returning to good health. The American Psychiatric Association recognizes PTSD in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and lists specific diagnostic criteria.
For injured victims, suffering PTSD symptoms can often make a bad situation worse. The physical challenges of motorcycle accident injuries are brutal on their own. Coupled with PTSD, things can get very dark. Notoriously common among post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression is a condition that erodes mental health through persistent emotional pain.
Unfortunately, not everyone suffering from PTSD after a motorcycle accident has access to psychological support. Seeking relief from depression-related post-traumatic stress disorder is a leading cause of sufferers turning to substance abuse to cope. When PTSD symptoms remain untreated over time, suicide can become an unfortunate likelihood.
Legal Rights After a Motorcycle Accident
Prioritizing your legal rights is an important step to take after a motorcycle accident. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries. This compensation is vital for recovering damages you could suffer from a motorcycle crash.
Additionally, when motorcycle accidents happen, there are steps that you’ll always want to follow to protect your rights. They include:
- Seek medical attention.
- Preserve evidence from the scene of the crash.
- Report the accident to local authorities.
- Consult with an attorney.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident and cooperate with their investigation.
- Keep detailed documentation of your damages.
- Contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your case.
Failing to follow these steps after a motorcycle crash can make it difficult to recover the compensation you deserve. Don’t take your legal rights for granted. Contact a law firm to protect your rights after an accident.
Role of Mountain States Injury Law in Advocating for Clients with PTSD
As with other motor vehicle accidents, recovering from a motorcycle crash demands proper medical attention and rest. Who then will oversee your personal injury claim? The answer is Mountain State’s Injury Law. They’ll fight for you while you dedicate your resources to healing.
At Mountain States Injury Law, we bring years of specialized experience to advocate for clients who’ve been in a motor vehicle accident. Our merits in the legal arena make us a top choice for anyone in the process of recuperating from a motorcycle accident.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us for our service unless we successfully settle your accident claim or win in court. Contact us today for a free consultation to explore what legal options may be available.
Proper Documentation and Evidence For a Strong Case
All personal injury cases go through a document and evidence-gathering phase. Spearheaded by your motorcycle accident lawyer, the process of gathering documents and evidence is necessary to prove liability and recover fair compensation.
Anything related to the accident should be considered valuable until your attorney says otherwise. Things like medical bills from your accident, copies of police reports, or even notes from a journal should be submitted for review. The stronger the documentation and evidence, the higher the chances of receiving maximum compensation.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies and Handling Legal Procedures
Negotiating with insurance companies is part of the process of recovering compensation for psychological damages resulting from a motorcycle accident. These negotiations will be handled by your motorcycle accident lawyer, who’ll bring your insurance claim and associated pieces of evidence to the table.
To receive a fair settlement, you need strong evidence to prove liability and what you deserve. Convincing an insurance company to payout is no easy feat, and that’s where an attorney’s negotiating skills will shine. You can fight to recover the following damages:
- Lost wages
- Non-economic losses
- Pain and suffering
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
- Property damages
- The cost of ongoing care for long-term injuries
Supportive Resources for Coping with PTSD
When suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a motorcycle accident, know that supportive resources for coping are available. You can improve your emotional and mental health. PTSD from a motorcycle accident is surely hard, but others have been able to get past the complications of their traumatic event, and you can, too.
Because PTSD after a motorcycle accident is a mental health issue, it’s best to utilize resources specializing in mental and emotional trauma. Self-care is a core component of any mental health routine, so when managing PTSD from a motorcycle accident, choosing the most qualified and highly-reviewed sources is key.
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