When motorcycles collide with cars, trucks, other motorcycles, or just the roadway, the riders are usually severely hurt. Often, a motorcycle rider or passenger collides with another vehicle and then strikes the ground. Many riders see their lives flash before their eyes.

Motorcyclists often need emergency room care. Many motorcycle accident victims need to be admitted to the hospital for surgeries. Common injuries include broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and traumatic amputations. The physical recovery process can include visits with orthopedists, neurologists, and other specialists. Long-term physical, occupational, and vocational therapy may be necessary.

The combination of the fright of the accident, physical pain and suffering, worries about health, and the stress of affording medical bills and daily living expenses can be overwhelming. Chronic psychological trauma after a terrifying event is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). At Banks & Jones, we work with doctors who can diagnose PTSD in motorcycle accident victims. We help victims understand how PTSD affects every part of their life, what medical treatments are used to care for PTSD, and the cost of that care.

What are the symptoms of PTSD and how is PTSD diagnosed?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about six percent of people will experience PTSD during their lifetime. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men.

PTSD symptoms normally start within three months of a motorcycle accident or another traumatic event.  These symptoms must be severe enough that the victim has difficulty with daily life, work, or relationships. The symptoms cannot be related to substance abuse, medications, or other illnesses.

Some motorcycle accident victims with PTSD have symptoms that last for more than one year, while others may recover within six months. Victims with PTSD may suffer from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Generally, a PTSD diagnosis is made by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker.  A PTSD diagnosis requires that an adult exhibit all of the following symptoms for one month or longer:

• At least one re-experiencing symptom
• At least one avoidance symptom
• At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
• At least two cognition and mood symptoms

The definition of these symptoms is as follows:

• Re-experiencing symptoms. These symptoms include:
  • Flashbacks – including reliving the event and physical symptoms such as sweating or a racing heart.
  • Distressing thoughts
  • Recurring dreams or memories about the motorcycle accident
  • Physical symptoms of stress
• Avoidance symptoms. These symptoms include:
  • Avoiding events, places, or objects that remind the motorcycle accident victim of the traumatic event
  • Avoiding any feelings or thoughts about the traumatic event

Examples include changing routines to avoid remembering the event, including avoiding driving or being a passenger on a motorcycle

• Arousal and reactivity symptoms. These symptoms include:
  • Being startled easily
  • Problems concentrating
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Feeling anxious and irritable
  • Aggressive, risky, and destructive behavior
  • Feeling tense
• Cognition and mood symptoms. These symptoms include:
  • Difficulty remembering the motorcycle accident
  • Negative emotions including anger, guilt, fear, and shame
  • Not being interested in companionship or previous activities
  • Difficulty feeling happy or satisfied

What are the treatments for PTSD?

Motorcycle accident victims with PTSD should seek professional mental health counseling. Our lawyers can recommend psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals. The National Institute of Mental Health states that mental health professionals commonly use psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. Psychotherapy can help the accident victim and their family. Therapy can be one-on-one with a professional, or as part of group therapy sessions. Generally, treatments last for 6 to 12 weeks but some victims may need much more time.

One common type of psychotherapy, known as cognitive behavioral therapy, often includes the following:

• Exposure therapy. This technique helps motorcycle accident victims recover by slowly exposing them to their trauma; this could involve visiting the accident site or touching a motorcycle, for example.
• Cognitive restructuring. This technique helps motorcycle accident victims challenge harmful or distressing thoughts, and internalize more rational and healthy perspectives.

Psychiatrists may prescribe medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PTSD. The FDA has approved two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant medication, for the treatment of PTSD. SSRIs may help people manage PTSD symptoms, such as sadness, worry, anger, and feeling emotionally numb.

Other medications help address the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as insomnia.

Support groups such as the National Institute of Mental Health Knoxville can also help motorcycle accident victims with PTSD.

Are motorcycle accident victims with PTSD eligible for compensation?

Generally, yes. Our Knoxville motorcycle accident lawyers can explain if you can seek damages even if you weren’t physically hurt (such as in a near-miss accident), but still have psychological trauma due to the fear of being injured.

We demand compensation for all your physical and mental damages, including current and future:

• Medical bills including psychological treatments and medications
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• Loss of income
• Inability to enjoy life’s pleasure
• Loss of consortium (inability to enjoy marital relations)
• Property damage

Motorcycle accidents often cause severe physical injuries and psychological harm. Many motorcycle accidents are deadly. At Banks and Jones, we have the experience and resources to hold negligent motorcycle, car, and truck drivers accountable if you develop PTSD when your motorcycle collides with another vehicle. We work with psychologists and other doctors to show just how traumatic and life-changing your PTSD is. Call our motorcycle accident lawyers or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation about how you can assert your rights. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.