The Psychological Trauma Behind Your Motorcycle Accident

Friday, August 25, 2017 by The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman

Physical injuries are oftentimes the only thing people take into consideration when experiencing a motorcycle accident. These accidents can be both physically and emotionally traumatizing for victims and their loved ones. An Oxnard motorcycle accident attorney will be able to explain in more detail how you can seek compensation for emotional damages.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a prevalent condition for many victims of traumatic motorcycle accidents. It used to be called “shellshock” during the war. Soldiers experienced a variety of symptoms even years after the war. Memories of traumatic scenes on the battlefield kept coming back. It’s psychological torture that may never end for some. Some of the common symptoms of PTSD include:

• Flashbacks, nightmares, feeling intense emotions, and having recurring thoughts about traumatic past incidents.
• Avoiding anything that reminds the victim about the incident. Victims can also experience emotional paralysis, guilt, and impaired memory.
• Hyperactivity and difficulty sleeping. The victim can feel angry and edgy for no reason.

Depression and brain injury (TBI)

Head injuries are very common in motorcycle accidents. This is why helmet laws have been implemented in many states. Many safety organizations highly recommend its use. Numerous studies show that TBI is associated with depression. Most patients tend to experience clinical depression one year after they sustained brain injury. This depressive disorder can complicate things more when victims don’t seek the appropriate treatment.

Your claim

Your claim will include the medical costs associated with physical injuries as well as the emotional trauma linked to the motorcycle accident. Compensation for emotional trauma include:

• Assessment and counseling sessions
• Ongoing treatment and emotional distress

Sometimes insurance companies or any other parties involved in your case may argue that these injuries could have been prevented if the victim wore the helmet at the time of the accident. You need to ask your attorney how this factor can affect your claim. You may recover less noneconomic damages. But just keep in mind that it all depends on how some specific laws can apply to the specific circumstances of your accident. Only an experienced Oxnard motorcycle accident attorney can tell you what to do.

Your medical diagnosis

One of the most difficult things for motorcycle accident claimants is being honest with their doctors about their symptoms. Some people are afraid of being judged for struggling with mental health issues. It is okay seeking the professional help you need and getting better. In order to dispute your claim, you may need to show medical evidence and this can’t occur without proper diagnosis.

Some victims of motorcycle accidents may never ride again while others struggle to walk near traffic. It can be hard to have a normal life after experiencing a traumatizing event such as a motorcycle accident. Although the psychological trauma comes in many forms, that doesn’t mean there is no cure for these issues. Whether you were severely injured or not, make sure you seek prompt medical attention and record the injuries sustained in the accident.