A car accident can leave you with serious physical injuries. But the experience can also affect your mental health. You may find yourself with anxiety or depression due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While this condition isn’t always easily diagnosed, it can affect your life just as much as a physical injury.
To recover from PTSD, you may need extensive treatment with a therapist. But who is responsible for paying for crash-related treatment? You may have grounds for an insurance claim to get the financial compensation you need for medical care and other costs.
Liability insurance also covers mental injuries
Every driver in New Mexico must have liability insurance for bodily injury. This type of basic coverage can pay hospital bills and provide compensation for lost wages.
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you can use that person’s liability coverage to pay for any physical injuries you suffer in the accident. If you develop PTSD after the crash, you can also file a claim for the driver’s insurance to pay for any therapy or treatment you need for PTSD. Even though the injury isn’t physical, you still need medical care to get your life back to normal.
You may need to fight a denial of benefits
While you have the right to make an insurance claim for PTSD, you may find it difficult to get the benefits you need. The insurance company will deny your claim unless you can prove that the medical condition connects directly to the accident. You may need to verify when you started having symptoms and how they relate to the crash.
To ensure that you have evidence, you should not delay in getting help. Visit the hospital or your doctor directly after the accident. If you notice any changes in how you feel, make sure to go back for a checkup. The more proof you have of the need for treatment, the more likely the insurer will approve your claim.
If you believe you have more than physical injuries
A car accident can have a significant impact on your life. Even if you walk away with no physical injuries, you may notice changes to your mental well-being. Talk with an experienced personal injury attorney if you have suffered physical or mental injuries due to a car accident.