Car accident injuries can haunt you for months, even years after the fact. Car accidents can be life-altering events that leave individuals grappling with a range of physical and emotional challenges.
In this discussion, we will delve into the common types of injuries that car accident victims often experience. The long-term effects of these injuries can be debilitating and can hinder a person’s ability to return to work, engage in physical activities, or enjoy life to the fullest. In some cases, individuals may develop chronic pain syndromes that can persist for years, requiring ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
If you find yourself in this challenging situation, it is crucial to understand that you do not have to navigate this difficult journey alone. An experienced attorney can provide invaluable assistance in seeking the compensation you deserve.
Common Car Accident Injuries And Their Long-Term Effects
A car crash is a traumatic event that can inflict harm on any part of the body. The following are the types of injuries we commonly see clients with and their long-term effects:
Spinal Cord Injuries
The blunt force of a sudden impact on the neck or back in a car accident can cause damage to any portion of the spinal column. This type of injury often causes a loss of motor skills, reflexes, and sensory responses, which may be permanent. A spinal cord injury is more complicated than the average car accident injury and comes with significantly higher medical costs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) typically happen in car accidents when someone sustains a forceful blow to the head against an interior part of their vehicle. TBIs can result in serious symptoms, including permanent cognitive disability, short-term and long-term memory loss, and even permanent comas. If you have a TBI injury, depending on its severity, you could end up needing lifelong treatment.
Whiplash
Whiplash is an umbrella term for soft tissue injuries affecting the neck and shoulders. A car accident can cause whiplash, which occurs when the head whips back and forth. Signs of whiplash may not manifest until days, weeks, or even months after the initial injury.
Whiplash symptoms can include dizziness, headaches, stiffness in the neck or upper back, shoulder pain or stiffness, recurring migraines, and burning or itching sensations in the neck and shoulders. In some severe cases, symptoms may include memory loss or sleep issues. Depending on the extent of the injury, whiplash symptoms may be permanent.
These are a few of the most common car accident injuries that can result in the need for lasting medical care. Spinal cord, traumatic brain, and whiplash are especially dangerous types of injuries because, in each case, symptoms may not appear right away. An experienced attorney can help ensure you receive a large enough settlement to help cover the cost of long-term care if needed.
How Lasting Damages Impact Your Personal Injury Claim
It may take you months or even years to recover from your car accident injury. Some people never even make a full recovery and have to get medical treatment for the rest of their lives. You need enough compensation to aid in paying the costs of long-term treatment.
Because Florida is a no-fault state, you’ll have at least $10,000 in Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage no matter what. Once you exhaust your PIP coverage, you have the option to seek further compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault party.
If you have extensive injuries, you may be able to pursue additional damages and net a larger settlement. For example, these damages could include loss of consortium which you can claim if you are married and your injury has negatively affected your relationship with your spouse. Or, you could sue for pain and suffering if your injury has taken a significant toll on your mental health.
Why Seek Legal Representation
Many people incorrectly assume that insurance companies will act responsibly after an accident and that a personal injury attorney is unnecessary. But attorney Mike Hancock spent the first eight years of his practice representing insurance companies, and he knows better.
According to Mike, the insurance adjuster’s goal is to pay you the least amount of money possible. They try to achieve this in many ways, like convincing you that involving an attorney is unnecessary or that your injury isn’t as serious as you claim it is.
That’s why, especially if you’re in an accident and have extensive injuries, it’s in your best interest to seek legal representation. Attorneys like ours have experience negotiating with insurance adjusters, know all their tactics, and can put you in a better position to recover enough damages to help cover your medical expenses.
Let An Experienced Injury Attorney Help You Recover
The aftermath of a car accident can affect you mentally, physically, and financially. That’s more than enough for one person to bear, so don’t weigh yourself down further by taking on a personal injury claim alone. Let our team handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact Hancock Injury Attorneys to schedule your free case consultation today.