Driving and Riding Anxiety Lawyers | Vancouver
If you have been in a serious accident, you may be afraid to get in a car or on a motorcycle again. Driving and riding anxiety is a real and disabling condition, making working and performing daily tasks challenging.
This concept has been the center of much recent research. One review of numerous studies concluded that 25 to 33 percent of motor vehicle accident victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder after a wreck. Also, other mental health conditions contributing to driving and riding anxiety often occur.
Unfortunately, many insurance companies deny claims of this nature. At the Preszler Injury Lawyers in Vancouver, we have the know-how to prove you have a valid claim for driving and riding anxiety. Call us today at 1-844-373-8202 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your right to recover damages.
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a mental health condition that manifests itself soon after a traumatic event. Researchers have found that those who experience PTSD relive the accident through repetitive thoughts or dreams. Also, victims avoid driving or riding in motor vehicles because their anxiety can reach unbearable heights.
How do I know if my loved one or I have PTSD? How is it diagnosed?
A psychiatrist or therapist can screen you for all mental health conditions related to an accident. When psychiatrists and therapists diagnose PTSD, they look for certain criteria. These criteria include:
- Exposure to a traumatic event.
- Intrusive thoughts, memories or flashbacks that cause a victim to re-experience the event.
- Avoidant symptoms associated with the event.
- Changes in mood patterns that reflect a detached or negative life view.
- Irritability, insomnia, decreased concentration and other factors that show a patient becomes aroused easily.
Children can also suffer from PTSD, though, their symptoms differ from that of adults. A child who suffers from PTSD or depression following an accident can become clingy or nervous or regress in behavior.
Could I have a different condition that is causing my anxiety and depression?
Yes. Accident survivors can develop depression and experience mood swings after a serious motor vehicle accident.
For example, one study found that more than half of accident survivors diagnosed with PTSD also developed a mood disorder. And researchers at the University of Buffalo found that a quarter of victims assessed reported symptoms like those that would occur in a major depressive episode. Plus, PTSD in general increases a victim’s propensity to abuse drugs and alcohol.
What treatments are available for mental health conditions associated with my accident?
If you are suffering from driving or riding anxiety, you may need:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Supportive Psychotherapy.
- Exposure Therapy.
- Group Therapy.
- Medications.
Ongoing medical care and therapy can get extremely costly. You should be aware of your right to seek compensation from the party responsible for your accident and know what financial recovery you are entitled to under the law.
An experienced lawyer at the Preszler in Vancouver can review your case at no cost and help you demonstrate the damages you have suffered as a result of the event.
How do PTSD and other mental health conditions differ from other accident injuries?
Unlike physical injuries such as broken bones, which are easy to identify and follow a predictable healing track, there is no sure way to tell how long a patient will suffer from a psychological injury and whether or not s/he will respond well to the prescribed therapy. Therefore, proving PTSD or depression to the insurance company can be a difficult task. Insurance companies want to save money, and one of the ways they do this is by denying or devaluing claims.
The PTSD lawyers at Preszler Injury Lawyers in Vancouver have years of experience documenting and proving psychological issues related to accidents. We know the evidence insurance companies look for when awarding a settlement that covers the cost of mental health care.
We often begin with expert testimony. We may enlist a qualified expert witness to discuss the nature of the psychological issue, your case, and whether or not PTSD or other psychological issues have occurred.
Schedule a No-Cost, No-Obligation Consultation Today
We know that driving and riding anxiety makes it difficult for you and your family to live a healthy and happy life. Simple tasks like running errands, driving children to school, and getting to work can cause great distress.
When you retain an experienced personal injury lawyer at our firm, you will not pay any fees unless we win your case. Your fees will come directly out of your settlement. At Preszler Injury Lawyers Vancouver, our goal is simple. We want to help you get the compensation you deserve.
