PTSD After a Motorcycle Accident in Wisconsin

You Survived the Crash. Now You’re Surviving the Aftermath.

When most people think about motorcycle accidents, they picture broken bones, road rash, and totaled bikes. But some of the most painful injuries can’t be seen on an X-ray.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is real. It affects riders all over Wisconsin who’ve survived crashes. And if you’ve been through a motorcycle wreck — whether you were physically injured or not — you might be dealing with flashbacks, anxiety, fear of getting back on a bike, or just feeling like you’re “not yourself” anymore.

You’re not being dramatic. You’re not weak. You’re not alone.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we fight for injured riders — and that includes riders struggling with emotional trauma like PTSD. If someone else caused your crash, you shouldn’t have to carry the psychological burden on your own. We’re here to help you get the support and the justice you deserve.

What Is PTSD?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event — like a serious motorcycle accident.

You don’t have to be hospitalized or physically injured to suffer from PTSD. You don’t have to have “visible” damage. And it doesn’t always show up right away.

PTSD is your brain and body’s way of responding to a terrifying event. For riders, that can mean the trauma of impact, the sound of screeching tires, the fear of dying in the moment, or even witnessing another rider get hurt or killed.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD in Riders

Every person processes trauma differently, but here are some of the most common signs that you might be dealing with PTSD after a motorcycle accident:

Re-Experiencing the Trauma:

  • Flashbacks to the moment of the crash

  • Nightmares or disturbing dreams about the accident

  • Intrusive thoughts that won’t go away

Avoidance:

  • Avoiding motorcycles or riding altogether

  • Avoiding certain roads, sounds, or weather conditions that remind you of the crash

  • Numbing — emotionally shutting down or avoiding people and conversations

Hyperarousal:

  • Irritability or anger outbursts

  • Feeling constantly on edge or anxious

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Increased startle response (jumping at loud noises, etc.)

Emotional Struggles:

  • Guilt — especially survivor’s guilt if someone else was hurt or killed

  • Shame for not feeling “over it” yet

  • Depression or hopelessness

  • Loss of interest in hobbies you once loved — including riding

If any of these sound familiar, know this: you’re not broken. You’re having a normal response to an abnormal event. And you don’t have to face it by yourself.

How Motorcycle Crashes Can Trigger PTSD

Motorcycle accidents are unique. They’re violent, personal, and often life-threatening. You’re exposed. You remember every second of the crash. You may have felt the fear of not making it out alive. That’s not something your mind just brushes off.

Some factors that make PTSD more likely after a motorcycle accident include:

  • Being ejected from the bike or thrown through the air

  • Witnessing the death or injury of another rider

  • Feeling trapped or helpless after the crash

  • Losing a limb or suffering a catastrophic injury

  • Being unable to work or ride afterward

  • Having no outlet or support system after the crash

The reality is, most non-riders don’t get it. They’ll say, “Just don’t think about it,” or “At least you’re alive.” But that’s not how trauma works. That’s why it’s so important to talk to people who do understand — and to work with professionals who take your mental health seriously.

PTSD Is a Compensable Injury in Wisconsin Motorcycle Accident Cases

Here’s something you might not know: PTSD is a real, diagnosable injury — and in Wisconsin, it can be included in your personal injury claim.

That means if a negligent driver caused your crash, and you’re dealing with psychological trauma, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Mental health treatment (therapy, psychiatry, medication)

  • Lost wages if PTSD kept you from working

  • Loss of earning capacity if it affects your ability to do your job long-term

  • Pain and suffering

  • Loss of enjoyment of life (especially if you can’t ride anymore)

  • Emotional distress

You don’t need to suffer in silence, and you don’t need to “tough it out” alone. Getting help isn’t weakness — it’s a smart, strong move toward healing.

What Kind of Motorcycle Crashes Most Commonly Lead to PTSD?

We’ve seen PTSD affect riders after all kinds of crashes — even some where the physical injuries were considered “minor.” But the most common types of accidents we see associated with psychological trauma include:

Head-On Collisions

These crashes often happen in a split second — and many riders remember thinking, “I’m not going to make it.” That kind of experience can leave long-term scars on the mind and body.

Left-Turn Accidents

When a car turns in front of you, it can feel like everything’s ripped away without warning. These crashes often result in serious physical injuries and lingering fear about being seen on the road.

Rear-End Collisions

Getting hit from behind while stopped — especially at a red light or in traffic — can make riders feel extremely vulnerable. Many develop anxiety about riding in cities or in heavy traffic again.

Accidents Involving Other Riders

If you were riding with friends or part of a group ride, and someone was injured or killed, the emotional weight can be overwhelming. Survivor’s guilt is common in these cases, even when the crash wasn’t your fault.

Why Riders Trust McCarthy Motorcycle Law

We get it. This isn’t just a legal issue — it’s personal.

We’re considered Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm. At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we focus exclusively on representing riders. We understand the riding community, the roads you travel, and the mental and emotional toll a serious crash can take.

When you work with us, you’re not just getting a lawyer — you’re getting an advocate who sees the full picture.

Here’s what we do for riders with PTSD:

  • Connect you with mental health providers who understand trauma and can help

  • Document your emotional injuries with the same care we give physical ones

  • Fight for full compensation, not just for broken bones but for everything you’ve lost

  • Stand up to insurance companies that try to downplay your pain

  • Work directly with you, not through layers of staff, so you always know what’s going on

Our Contingency Fee Structure

You pay nothing unless we win your case.

Our fee structure is clear and rider-friendly:

  • 30% if we settle before filing

  • 33% once we file suit

  • 40% if the case goes to trial or survives a summary judgment motion

We front all costs — expert reports, filing fees, therapy evaluations, and more — so you can focus on getting better while we focus on getting results.

Getting Help for PTSD in Wisconsin

Need help finding a therapist who understands trauma? Here are some highly regarded providers and treatment centers in Wisconsin:

  • Rogers Behavioral Health – Locations across the state; specializes in PTSD and anxiety treatment

  • UW Health Behavioral Medicine (Madison) – Counseling, psychiatry, and trauma therapy

  • Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin – Offers integrated trauma and mental health care

  • Aurora Behavioral Health (Milwaukee & Green Bay) – Mental health services for PTSD and accident trauma

  • VA Centers (for veterans) – PTSD treatment and group therapy

We can also help connect you with rider-friendly counselors and support resources in your local area.

You’re Still a Rider. You’re Still You.

PTSD doesn’t make you weak. It means your mind is still processing something your body survived.

You’re still strong. You’re still here. And you still have every right to ride, recover, and live the life you want — with the support, treatment, and financial resources you need.

If someone else caused your crash, they should be held accountable for all the harm they caused — not just the physical injuries.

Let’s Talk — No Pressure, No Judgment

If you’re struggling after a motorcycle crash — whether it’s been days or months — we’re here to help.

Contact us for a free, confidential case evaluation from and award-winning attorney who rides. We’ll listen. We’ll take your story seriously. And we’ll help you understand your legal options.

McCarthy Motorcycle Law
Wisconsin’s Motorcycle Law Firm
Standing up for injured riders. Standing with you.