Car accidents leave victims with more than just economic damages. Suppose you’ve been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, or have dealt with any other non-economic damages. Will that increase the value of your claim if you sue for a car crash?
You may sue to recover non-economic damages for PTSD and other intangible harms caused by a crash, such as chronic pain from an injury or reduced quality of life. Illinois does not limit non-economic damages for car accident victims, meaning we can seek compensation for all subjective losses. To recover for PTSD and other non-economic damages, we must prove them using evidence like treatment records, formal diagnoses, expert witness statements, and victim testimony.
For a free case evaluation from our Chicago, IL car accident lawyers, call the Rhatigan Law Offices today at (312) 578-8502.
Can I Sue for PTSD After a Car Accident in Chicago?
Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among car accident victims. Crashes can be very traumatizing, especially if victims suffer serious injuries that land them in the hospital. PTSD is an example of the intangible damages car accident victims suffer, and is also recoverable in a lawsuit.
We can help you sue for PTSD after a car accident in Chicago. You may sue for any other non-economic damages you incur as well, such as physical pain, reduced quality of life, and mental anguish.
Those diagnosed with PTSD after car crashes may also be diagnosed with depression or anxiety. They may struggle with panic attacks, develop a fear of driving, or suffer more non-economic harms because of a collision.
All these non-economic damages are compensable, and our attorneys can help you calculate your intangible losses from a crash. Never underestimate these damages, as they may make up a large portion of your recovery in a lawsuit.
How Much Can I Sue for PTSD After a Car Accident?
Some states cap victims’ recoveries of non-economic damages, but Illinois does not. If you file a successful car accident lawsuit, there’s no limit on how much you can get for PTSD and other non-economic damages.
That doesn’t mean you can request any amount of compensation for non-economic damages, however. To determine how much you should sue for, our Chicago, IL car accident lawyers may use two different calculation methods.
For example, we may choose a multiplier between one and five, depending on the severity of your physical injuries. We would then apply that to your economic damages, which include medical bills, lost wages, and other concrete expenses. That calculation method for non-economic damages is the multiplier method.
We can also identify a daily rate for your PTSD and general pain and suffering, and multiply that by the number of days you will incur non-economic damages. This is known as the per diem method.
Since Illinois doesn’t restrict compensation for PTSD and other intangible harms, we can seek relief for all non-economic damages based on our calculations, no matter how great.
How Can I Prove PTSD in a Chicago, IL Car Accident Lawsuit?
Reach out to our lawyers for help proving PTSD in your car accident lawsuit so you can recover the non-economic damages you deserve from a negligent driver. We may also use strong evidence as leverage to get a good settlement that compensates you for PTSD but lets you keep your case out of court.
Treatment Records
We can prove PTSD from a car accident with treatment records that contain a formal diagnosis from a mental health professional. Seeing a therapist after a traumatic event helps many injury victims, and generates evidence our attorneys can use to prove a PTSD diagnosis in a lawsuit.
Expert Testimony
We can also have the mental health experts who have diagnosed and treated you testify during a trial. They can confirm your PTSD diagnosis and that the car accident caused it. Mental health experts can discuss other intangible harms or diagnoses and estimate how long you will remain affected by PTSD.
Victim Testimony
Your testimony also helps us prove PTSD in a Chicago car accident lawsuit. The jury can hear you talk about your pain and suffering, the harsh symptoms of PTSD you experience, and any other changes to your quality of life because of the accident.
For example, in addition to PTSD, you can describe the chronic pain you feel from an injury, or the depression you’ve experienced due to being unable to work again after an accident.
We understand that testifying intimidates many plaintiffs, and we can make the experience as easy as possible by properly preparing you beforehand.
How Long Can I Sue for PTSD After a Car Accident in Illinois?
The statute of limitations for filing car accident lawsuits in Illinois is two years. If you don’t file within that timeframe, you are not only blocked from suing for PTSD, but also from suing for any economic damages.
Delaying your lawsuit could jeopardize it, even if you file within the statute of limitations. If you’re dealing with PTSD and serious injuries, you might be distracted, so reach out to our lawyers for help with your case right away. As you get the appropriate medical and mental health treatment, we can focus on preparing your lawsuit and filing it on time.
You may have longer to sue if an exception to the statute of limitations applies. For example, suppose the defendant doesn’t live in Illinois and leaves the state after your accident. In that case, the statute of limitations should pause for any period the at-fault driver is out of the state.
Don’t risk missing the filing deadline for a lawsuit, and contact us about suing for PTSD and other damages due to another driver’s negligence in Chicago.
Get Help with Your Chicago Car Accident Case Today
For a free case assessment from our Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers, call the Rhatigan Law Offices today at (312) 578-8502.
Related Posts