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How to Pursue a Claim for PTSD after a Car Accident

By: Fred Moore | Sep 17, 2024

A car accident can be a traumatic experience that leaves victims with both physical injuries and emotional scars. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious psychological condition that may develop after an upsetting event and can significantly affect your quality of life. At Moore Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers in Mobile, AL understand the nuances and challenges involved in these types of complex claims. We help you navigate the process and pursue the compensation you deserve if you’re suffering from PTSD after a car accident.

Understanding PTSD After a Car Accident

A mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, PTSD can result in symptoms such as severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. If someone suffers from PTSD after a car accident, these symptoms can interfere with their ability to perform daily activities, affect their relationships, and take a serious toll on their overall well-being.  

Proving PTSD from a car accident is challenging because there are no visible signs of psychological injury. This condition must be proven by demonstrating how PTSD has affected your mental health and quality of life. Our personal injury lawyers know how to gather relevant evidence and put all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a strong case.

Steps to Take If You’re Suffering from PTSD after a Car Accident

Contact a Mobile Car Accident Attorney

If you’re considering pursuing a PTSD car accident claim, the first thing you’ll want to do is set up a case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer. Our auto accident attorneys listen to your story and evaluate the viability of your case. We also explain your rights under the law, the claims process, and the potential challenges you may face. Your initial consultation is always free, even if you decide not to pursue a car accident PTSD settlement.

Gather Evidence

Proving a claim of PTSD after a car accident requires compelling evidence, which usually includes:

Medical records – Documentation of medical and psychiatric treatment is essential to proving the severity of your PTSD. Your car accident lawyer collects all relevant medical records, including those involving hospital stays, psychiatric evaluations, therapy notes, prescriptions, and any other information about treatment and how the crash has impacted your mental and physical health.

Expert testimony – Your personal injury attorney may consult with your health care providers and other mental health professionals who can provide an expert opinion on your condition. This testimony is often critical to establishing a solid link between the car accident and your PTSD.

Other documentation –Your lawyer also gathers any other evidence and information that shows how PTSD has impacted your quality of life and ability to work, engage in daily activities, and maintain relationships.

Your own testimony and the testimony of loved ones may also be helpful to prove PTSD from a car accident. Keeping a daily journal detailing your feelings and experiences not only helps you process your trauma, it offers proof of how PTSD has altered your life.

File a Claim

Once your car accident lawyer has gathered all the necessary evidence, they will help you file a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company. Unfortunately, insurers do everything they can to minimize payouts and deny claims. Our personal injury lawyers are familiar with the tactics they often employ, such as questioning the severity of your PTSD symptoms or arguing that it’s unrelated to the crash. If any insurance company representatives contact you, do not say anything, sign anything, or accept a settlement without speaking to a lawyer first.

Your car accident attorney handles all communications with the insurance company and negotiates aggressively on your behalf. They may be able to help you recover compensation for damages such as:

  • Medical and therapy costs
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship and consortium
  • Other damages specific to your case

Dealing with PTSD is challenging, and the stress of having to negotiate with insurers can make it even more difficult. Having our personal injury attorneys fight for your rights and interests can help take some of the weight off your shoulders. If a fair settlement can’t be negotiated, we may take your case to trial to pursue the full and fair amount of compensation you need and deserve.

Benefits of Hiring Our Mobile Car Accident Lawyers for Your PTSD Claim

Our lawyers have served more than 15,000 personal injury clients in Alabama. We understand the nuances of PTSD claims and know how to develop effective strategies that can help you win your case. Our personal injury attorneys accurately value your claim and explore all possible avenues of compensation for your car accident PTSD settlement. Our auto accident lawyers work on contingency, which means you won’t incur any up-front costs and you’ll only pay attorneys’ fees if we recover compensation for you.

We understand that pursuing a claim for PTSD from a car accident can be an emotionally draining process. Our personal injury attorneys provide the compassionate support you need and help you navigate the complex legal system so you and your family can focus on your recovery.

Contact Us to Learn More about Claims for PTSD after a Car Accident

For nearly 40 years, Moore Law Firm has fought to protect the rights of injured victims in Alabama. If you or a loved one is suffering from PTSD from a car accident, having a lawyer by your side can increase the chances of recovering the compensation you deserve for your psychological trauma. To schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney in Mobile today, contact us, call us at 251-445-7602, or use the convenient chat feature on our website.