No one wants to experience a car accident. While most people try to avoid car accidents, sometimes, you just cannot. A negligent driver may take that opportunity away from you. If you try to avoid one crash, it might cause a more traumatic accident.
For example, if you see a car coming at you, and your only path away from that car involves striking a pedestrian, you will likely choose to take the hit from the other vehicle. After a car accident caused by someone else, you should ensure that you don’t lose your right to pursue compensation for your damages by following the advice in this blog.
Injuries You Might Sustain in an Accident
Accident injuries vary depending on many factors, including the size of the vehicles involved, the speed of each vehicle, how one vehicle hits another, the weather, other vehicles and stationary objects in your path, and more. Sometimes, a car might tangle with a truck, and the occupants do not suffer more than a few minor injuries. Other times, two vehicles of similar size may cause an accident that results in catastrophic injuries.
Accident injuries include:
- Bumps, bruises, scratches, and cuts. Depending on the location of a bump or a bruise, it could prove more severe than you initially think. For example, if you hit your head hard enough to cause a bump, you could have a concussion.
- Chemical and thermal burns.
- Road rash.
- Eye and face injuries.
- Strains, sprains, pulled muscles, torn muscles, and other soft tissue injuries.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Internal injuries.
- Simple and compound fractures.
- Crushed bones.
- Back and spinal cord injuries.
- Amputation of a digit or limb.
You could also suffer from secondary injuries, such as infection in an open wound, whether during the accident or surgery to repair it. Infections and crushed bones could also lead to amputation after the accident.
The Immediate Aftermath of an Accident
If you can move without causing additional damage to yourself, you should take several steps at the accident scene, including:
- Check on others involved in the wreck and call first responders. If possible, let the first responders know how many people suffered injuries.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including damage to real property, utility poles, mailboxes, and fences. Take pictures of any damage to the roads, including skid marks.
- Obtain contact information, registration information, and insurance information for other drivers involved in the accident.
- Obtain contact information from witnesses, including passengers in other vehicles.
- Give the police your statement. Take your time to ensure that you give the officer all of the facts as you experienced them.
- Allow emergency medical technicians to check you over, even if you do not believe your injuries warrant it.
In no circumstances should you ever admit fault, even if you think you may bear full or partial liability. In fact, you should not discuss the accident with anyone except the police officer taking the report.
After the Police Release You From the Accident Scene
Once the officer releases you from the accident scene, head to the emergency room or immediately schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you go to the emergency room, tell medical professionals that you may have sustained injuries in a car accident. Ask for a full checkup, including X-rays and other tests to determine whether you have internal injuries and other problems you might not feel or see. Keep in mind that some injuries do not manifest for hours or even a day or two after the accident.
Find out how to get copies of your medical records. If you suffered injuries that need medical care, you should obtain those ongoing medical records.
Finally, contact a car accident attorney to set up a free case evaluation.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost, and Why Should I Retain an Attorney?
When you choose to meet with an experienced car accident attorney, you should receive a free initial consultation. Most personal injury attorneys won’t attempt to recover any attorneys’ fees unless they win your case. A car accident lawyer will protect your rights. After the accident, insurance companies could blame the wreck on you, even if you played no part in causing the accident.
A car accident lawyer’s team will investigate the accident to ensure the insurance companies do not blame you for something that the defendant caused. If you suffered injuries, a car accident attorney will work with you to recover maximum compensation.
If you suffered severe or catastrophic injuries that could turn into long-term or permanent disabilities, a car accident lawyer helps you recover future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
If the insurance company refuses to come to a fair and reasonable settlement, your attorney will already know your case, so they can easily file a case on your behalf. You won’t have to go through explaining everything months later—and risk forgetting important facts that could mean success or failure in recovering compensation.
Recovering Damages
By retaining an attorney, you can rest assured knowing that your attorney will pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you could collect:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Replacement of destroyed personal property
- Burial, funeral, and/or cremation expenses if you lost a loved one in a car accident
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship and/or consortium
- Loss of use of a body part or bodily function
- Extra compensation for amputation, disfigurement, and/or excessive scarring
- Inconvenience if you have to hire someone to do the chores you normally do, such as lawn maintenance, grocery shopping, home maintenance and repair, and house cleaning.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a car accident, contact an experienced car accident attorney today for a free case evaluation. Then you can discuss your accident and determine your eligibility to pursue compensation for the full cost of your injuries.
