You can get PTSD from a car accident. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), post-traumatic stress disorder may develop after “a shocking, scary, or dangerous event.” This can certainly include car accidents.
Car Accidents and Mental Distress
Car accident victims may be eligible for multiple types of damages. They can use these damages to pay for medical treatment (including psychiatric treatment), support their families if they are unable to work, and more.
Psychological and physical injuries could entitle you to non-economic damages, which include the following:
- Pain and suffering: The physical injuries caused temporary pain or resulted in chronic conditions that will affect the rest of your life.
- Emotional distress: Your PTSD symptoms interfere with your ability to live life to the fullest.
- Reduced quality of life: Your injuries make it hard, if not impossible, for you to resume your pre-accident lifestyle. This may include being unable to live independently or participate in your favorite activities.
- Loss of consortium: The accident injuries have had a negative impact on your marriage, up to and including separation or divorce.
Economic damages, by contrast, serve as reimbursement for an accident victim’s financial losses. They may include:
- Medical expenses: You could be compensated for treatment of both physical and psychological injuries.
- Repair bills: If your vehicle was damaged and/or you had to buy a new car, you could be reimbursed.
- Loss of income: This is a temporary loss incurred while you stayed home to let your injuries heal. A permanent loss due to chronic health issues is called “loss of earning capacity.”
- Loss of employment: You can no longer work in your chosen field. You may have to go through stressful, expensive retraining, or you may not be able to retain gainful employment at all.
Damages in Fatal Car Accident Cases
We also represent people who wish to file wrongful death cases. A person may be able to file such a case if they lost a loved one in a preventable accident. Wrongful death damages could include:
- All of the above: If the deceased would have qualified for any of the damages discussed above, then you might be able to collect that money for your family.
- Loss of society: You can never replace the affection and guidance you received from your loved one.
- Loss of financial support: Your loved one’s income was an important part of your household economy.
- Funeral expenses: You may be reimbursed for any and all costs associated with laying your loved one to rest or settling their estate.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 537-8185
Getting Legal Help After a Car Accident
The time you have to file a lawsuit is limited by your state’s statute of limitations. This is a law that gives accident victims a deadline to file a lawsuit. In some states, you may have only one year to begin the process, while others may give you up to three years. The deadline may be shortened further by other circumstances. If a person misses the deadline, they can no longer sue for damages.
In short, it is best to begin your lawsuit sooner rather than later. Our firm can make the legal process easier to navigate by:
- Investigating the accident: This includes visiting the scene, talking with witnesses, requesting documentary evidence like police reports, and so on.
- Filling out paperwork: We make sure all relevant parties are notified promptly, court dates are scheduled within deadlines, and more.
- Communicating with the liable party: We serve as a go-between so that our clients never have to have direct contact with the party or parties who caused the accident.
- Negotiating for a settlement: We can meet with the liable party’s insurance company so that you do not have to. Our lawyers are not afraid to fight for the compensation our clients need and deserve.
- Going to court on your behalf: What if the insurance company simply will not negotiate? Then we can take the case to court and work to persuade a jury of your need for damages.
Our Client-Friendly Fee Structure
Monetary concerns do not have to prevent you from getting the legal representation you deserve. We work on contingency, which means:
- You pay nothing up front: A car accident lawyer from our firm can go to work for you without you needing to pay attorney’s fees right away.
- You pay nothing out of pocket: We take our attorney’s fees out of the compensation our clients win at the end of the case.
- You pay no fees unless we win: If our firm cannot get you any compensation, we charge you no attorney’s fees. Our success is entirely dependent on yours.
Get Legal Representation Today
If you or a loved one got PTSD from a car accident, or if your existing PTSD was worsened by the accident, let the Morris Bart law firm help. Call us at (800) 537-8185 to get started with a free case review. Our firm never charges attorney’s fees until our clients get compensation.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
