Common Car Accident Injuries
Are you suffering from an injury after an accident?
When you are involved in a car accident, there is a good chance you will suffer injury. Some of these injuries are minor, while others are serious or catastrophic in nature. Read our recovery tips here.
Below, we discuss some of the most common car accident injuries that we help clients file claims for, and provide a general overview of options victims may have for recovering damages. For a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Louisiana, call Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers today at 337-433-2053.
What are some common types of car accident injuries?
Many car accident victims sustain minor and moderate injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, and bruises, but sometimes, the nature and extent of the injuries are more severe. Some of the most common types of injuries we have come across in car accident cases include the following:
- Soft tissue injuries: Whiplash, carpal tunnel, sprains, strains, and other soft-tissue injuries
- Fractures and amputations: Compound fractures, multiple fractures, shattered bones, and loss of limb
- Back and spinal injuries: Herniated or slipped discs, back sprains, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord damage/paralysis
- Internal injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Head and brain trauma: Closed and open head injuries, concussion, long-term traumatic brain injuries
- Burns: First- through fourth-degree burns
How might serious car accident injuries impact me?
When you sustain a serious car accident injury, there is essentially no aspect of your life that will not feel its effects in some way; it is not just physical. There are emotional, psychological, social, and financial issues you may need to work through, as well.
Many people who sustain a sudden, serious injury develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, poor body image, and anxiety disorders as a result of their injuries — particularly in catastrophic and disfiguring cases. This, in turn, can impact your marriage and other family and social relationships, not to mention your career.
The financial ramifications of a car accident can be considerable, too. Medical care can be exorbitant even when you have insurance, and you might be temporarily or permanently disabled, which means less income when you need it most.
Depending on the extent of the injuries and your long-term prognosis, you may need to change careers if you cannot return to your old job, modify your home to accommodate your disability, and/or relocate to an area with better access to quality or specialized medical care. In other words, serious car accident injuries can completely alter the direction of your life.
How do I pay for medical and other expenses resulting from my injuries?
Medical expenses and lost wages can easily break the bank after a car accident. Fortunately, there may be various avenues of pursuing compensation, depending upon the specifics of your case.
Negligence claim: The first and most promising recourse to consider is filing a claim with the appropriate car accident insurance company. Louisiana is a “fault state,” which means the person who causes a car accident is responsible for any injuries that occur.
All drivers in Louisiana must carry at least $15,000 per person/$30,000 accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage liability — so you should be able to recover at least up to that amount.
If the insurer refuses to give you the compensation you deserve, we can take it to court.
Your own insurance: Of course, to win your case, you must be able to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident, e.g., that s/he was driving under the influence or speeding.
If the driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your losses, if s/he does not carry insurance, or if s/he fled the scene, then you will need to rely on your own insurance to cover your losses, such as your personal injury protection (PIP), collision coverage, UM/UIM coverage, disability, or health insurance.
What can I recover for my car accident?
You may be able to obtain a wide range of damages for serious car accident injuries by filing a negligence claim against the at-fault party. Some of the losses you can recover include:
- Medical, pharmacy, and rehabilitation bills
- Loss of wages and loss of benefits
- Mental health care, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and alternative treatments
- Disability and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering, i.e., emotional harms
Speak to a car accident injury attorney for FREE today.
Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers has the knowledge, energy, and resources necessary to help you fight for maximum compensation for your car accident injuries. We encourage you to give us a call for a free case evaluation to determine how best to move forward to obtain the financial relief you need and deserve. Contact us today by calling 337-433-2053.