It’s common knowledge that car collisions can lead to significant physical injuries, but the often-overlooked impact on mental health after a car accident is just as crucial. Many individuals experience emotional distress, and some may even develop mental health conditions such as anxiety or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following a car accident. When navigating the aftermath of a collision, understanding how your car auto insurance relates to your mental health diagnosis is essential.
You might be entitled to claim insurance coverage for treatment related to emotional distress stemming from a car accident. However, insurance companies, whether it’s your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, may resist these claims. To secure the necessary compensation for your mental health treatment, pursuing a claim against the responsible driver, potentially through legal action, might be necessary.
Determining Insurance Coverage for Psychological Treatment
To ascertain whether your mental health treatment will be covered by car auto insurance, a careful review of your insurance policy’s specific language is paramount. Furthermore, you must be prepared to demonstrate that the treatment is a “reasonable and necessary” response to a condition that directly resulted from the car accident. This can be a critical point when seeking coverage for a mental health diagnosis.
Establishing “Reasonable and Necessary” Treatment
Virtually all car auto insurance policies contain clauses stipulating that they will not cover treatments deemed not medically necessary. Securing approval for psychological treatment, such as therapy or medication, can be more challenging compared to physical care. While a broken bone is easily demonstrable, “emotional distress” is a more subjective claim, often requiring robust evidence to support its validity and necessity.
To substantiate your claim, providing a doctor’s diagnosis of a mental disorder directly linked to the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, is typically required. If you are undergoing therapy, your therapist might need to provide a statement outlining your treatment plan and explaining how it is both reasonable and necessary for your psychological recovery following the car accident. This detailed explanation is vital in justifying the need for mental health support under your car auto insurance policy.
Advocating for Your Mental Health Coverage Under Car Accident Insurance
To enhance the likelihood of receiving the mental health support you need and ensuring it’s covered by your car auto insurance policy, consider these crucial steps:
- Thoroughly Examine Your Policy: Carefully review the wording of your PIP or applicable Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) policy to identify any exclusions or limitations regarding mental health coverage.
- Prepare Past Records: Be ready to gather records pertaining to any prior mental health diagnoses or personal challenges, as this information might be relevant to your current claim.
- Detail the Connection: During your initial treatment sessions, clearly and comprehensively describe how your mental health condition arose directly from or was significantly aggravated by the car accident.
- Adhere to Professional Advice: Strictly follow your mental healthcare provider’s recommendations and attend all scheduled follow-up sessions as directed to demonstrate commitment to your recovery.
- Document Objections and Seek Alternatives: If you disagree with a prescribed treatment, such as antidepressant medication, articulate your objections in writing and inquire about alternative treatment options.
- Limit Uncounseled Communication: Refrain from discussing your mental health history or current condition with insurance adjusters without the presence of a car accident attorney. Your statements could inadvertently compromise your ability to obtain the needed coverage. Consulting with legal counsel ensures your rights are protected when navigating car auto insurance and mental health diagnosis.
Seeking Support for Psychological Distress After a Car Crash
With meticulous attention to detail, you can access mental health counseling and other psychological care services, and potentially have them covered by your car auto insurance. Engaging an experienced car accident attorney can significantly improve the chances of your treatments being covered and prepare you to effectively address any reasons an insurance company might give for denying coverage.
Do not be discouraged from seeking the mental health care you require after a traumatic and psychologically damaging car accident. Contact Carner & DeVita to discuss your situation, evaluate your damages, and develop a strategy to secure the maximum coverage available under your car auto insurance policy.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation with our knowledgeable car accident attorneys by calling (631) 543-7070 or reaching out to us online today.
