Individuals can develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. There are various types of incidents that occur that could lead to a person developing symptoms of PTSD. This includes motorcycle accidents. Here, we want to discuss what aspects of a motorcycle accident can lead to a person developing PTSD, as well as whether or not these individuals can recover compensation for this type of emotional and psychological trauma.
What Causes PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental condition triggered by various types of events. This can include a person experiencing a traumatic event or witnessing a traumatic event. There are numerous symptoms that a person can suffer from if they do develop PTSD, including severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the incident.
There are various types of events that can lead to a person suffering from PTSD. This can include, but is not limited to, a mixture of the following:
- Stressful experiences or traumatic events pick person goes through
- Inherited mental health risks, including a family history of depression or anxiety
- Inherited features of a person’s temperament
The way an individual’s brain regulates chemicals in hormone releases
People of all ages can experience post-traumatic stress disorder. However, there are various factors that could increase the risk of a person developing PTSD after a traumatic incident. One of the biggest risk factors includes the severity or intensity of the trauma a person sustains.
PTSD Caused by a Motorcycle Accident
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents often result in a person experiencing severe trauma. The reality is that motorcyclists do not have much protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into them. They are very exposed on the roadway, and they do not have any airbags, metal frames, or seatbelts to help prevent injuries. Motorcyclists have even more of a “front seat” to the entire incident.
According to a study from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), we can see that 39.2% of all motor vehicle accident survivors develop PTSD. Even though the data does not delve into specific types of accidents, the very nature of motorcycle crashes is going to lead to a high percentage of these victims suffering from PTSD.
What to Look Out For?
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a motorcycle accident, there are various symptoms that you should look out for that could be indicators of PTSD. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Avoidance behaviors
- Intrusive memories related to the incident
- Negative changes in thinking or mood
- Changes in emotional reactions
- Flashbacks related to the incident
These symptoms could certainly be a part of your body’s natural response to a traumatic incident. In people who do not develop PTSD, these symptoms should naturally subside over time. However, any person who notices these symptoms getting worse over time may need to seek treatment from a mental health professional for PTSD.
Individuals who suffer from any type of injury caused by a motorcycle accident may be able to recover compensation for their losses. If another driver’s actions caused the accident, it may be possible to secure compensation through an insurance settlement or through a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.