Psychological Effects of MVAs
Monday, July 29th, 2002 Liability LitigationThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Depart-ment of Transportation, reports that in 1994, an estimated 2,166,000 personal injury motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) resulted in an estimated 3,386,000 individuals’ experiencing personal injuries, along with 41,798 fatalities. MVAs, and the resulting personal, psychological, and neuropsychological injury claims, are significant problems for insurers. Often, individuals involved in auto accidents may allege that they have experienced a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Unlike most other mental disorders, the diagnosis of PTSD itself embodies, and tends to presume, a proximate cause relationship to the subject tort,” wrote Michael J. Pangia in his article, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Litigation Strategies,” recently published in a monograph produced by Trial Magazine, Journal of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America
