Being involved in an accident, regardless of how severe it is, can be incredibly impactful on your life. Not only can you sustain serious physical injuries, but you may also endure mental anguish as a result of your accident. Despite the fact that it is not often talked about, car accidents are among the leading causes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for Americans. As such, if you’ve been involved in a car accident and have developed PTSD as a result, understanding your legal options is critical. The following blog explores what you should know about these matters and why working with a Monroe, Louisiana car accident lawyer is in your best interest during these times.
What Is PTSD?
PTSD is a mental health disorder that can impact those who have endured or witnessed traumatic, stressful, or terrifying events. Unfortunately, these events can imprint on the mind and leave lasting impacts. Events that can cause PTSD to develop include car accidents, serious injuries, natural disasters, assaults, harassment, and being the victim of a crime.
It’s important to understand that there are several symptoms that you can experience if you develop PTSD following an accident, and not everyone will experience the same signs. As such, the following are some of the most common symptoms of PTSD:
- Vivid flashbacks
- Nightmares
- Intense, intrusive, or obsessive thoughts about the accident
- Difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood changes
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Avoiding things that remind you of the accident
- Avoiding talking about the accident
Can I Seek Compensation for These Damages?
If you are involved in a car accident and you are later diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the collision, it’s important to understand that you are entitled to seek compensation for the emotional suffering you’ve endured. When you file a claim for compensation, you can seek economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages help compensate you for matters like medical bills or lost wages, as these are quantifiable losses.
Non-economic damages can be difficult to determine, on the other hand. This is because they represent subjective losses, like mental anguish or pain and suffering. Because there is no monetary value directly attached to these damages, they must be calculated by the court.
One of the most common methods for determining the monetary amount for non-economic damages is the multiplier method. Generally, this requires the court to assign a numerical value to the emotional damages endured by the victim, typically on a scale of 1.5 to 5, with 5 being the most severe suffering. Once a number is assigned, it will be multiplied by the total value of the economic damages awarded to determine the non-economic damages. For example, if you win $10,000 in economic damages and your suffering is valued at a 4, you would win $40,000 for non-economic damages.
As you can see, these matters can be difficult to navigate, especially when enduring both physical and mental anguish. When you need help, the dedicated legal team at Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson will do everything possible to assist you through these matters. Contact us today to learn more.
