Recovering From Your Accident

Regarding auto accident claims, the law does not limit a victim's right to compensation for visible, physical injuries. A traumatic event, such as a car crash, can cause many long-term, non-visible injuries for the parties involved, including post-traumatic stress disorder — or PTSD. For victims who have received this diagnosis, the journey to compensation is complex but achievable.

Medical Diagnosis

A claim for PTSD is no different from a claim for a physical injury like a broken leg, in that the insurance company will require a professional medical diagnosis to proceed. The most straightforward route to obtain this diagnosis is to speak with your doctor. Your doctor can review your symptoms and perform several diagnostic techniques to determine if you have PTSD. 

Remember that these symptoms might not surface immediately, but you can file a claim if you obtain the diagnosis before your statute of limitations expires. It would help if you also understood that your medical history could be reviewed. A history of PTSD will not result in an automatic denial if it can be proven that the accident exacerbated the diagnosis. 

Effects of PTSD

Avoid taking on the role of a healthcare provider when diagnosing yourself. Often, people associate the symptoms of PTSD with more severe scenarios, such as paranoia and intrusive thoughts, but this is not the case for everyone. 

Persons diagnosed with PTSD might lose their ability to focus on work or have trouble sleeping through the night. These symptoms might not seem like a big deal, but they can significantly impact an individual's ability to earn an income and remain healthy. An injury caused by an auto accident that has resulted in a change in your life is worth seeking compensation for. 

Severity Matters

A medical diagnosis of PTSD prompted by a motor vehicle accident opens the door for a victim to file a claim, but this factor alone does not designate the claim's value. The value of this claim will be measured against the severity of the individual's condition. 

For example, consider someone who can no longer drive due to the trauma who also happened to drive for a living. Next, consider someone unable to drive but did not drive for a living. The transportation worker would likely have a higher claim value, given the potential for their injury to result in income loss.

Compensation for psychological injuries can be a challenging process. It is often advised to have a trusted legal professional work on your behalf to increase your chance of a successful outcome.

To learn more, contact an auto accident attorney in your area.