What Should I Do After a Car Accident Injury?

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to severe. Most commonly, people suffer from whiplash, bruised ribs, lacerations, headaches or migraines, broken bones, neck and back pain, as well as soft tissue injuries. Something could be wrong if you feel pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or a decreased range of motion. 

Soft tissue damage can show up as bruising and swelling of the muscles and tendons and can be very painful to endure. Even though it’s very common, there’s no reason for you not to get compensated for your pain and discomfort, even if it only lasts a few weeks. Some soft tissue damage requires physical therapy to get better, which can be costly. 

Severe injuries can have lifelong consequences. A brain injury can cause permanent physical and mental disabilities. You may have issues completing second nature tasks, like playing video games or even checking out at the grocery store. Physical tasks like walking, talking, and carrying objects may be difficult. You may even experience changes to your personality, which will impact your personal relationships. 

Spinal injuries and herniated discs are also associated with car accidents, which can result in lifelong pain and even paralysis if left untreated. Never assume you’re not injured after a car accident. If your car shows evidence of the accident, it’s likely your body does, too, even if you don’t know it yet. Every car accident victim has a right to be examined and get treated. 

It can come as a shock to get into a car accident. In some cases, you may literally be in shock and aren’t thinking clearly about your next move. Some people even experience post-traumatic stress disorder, which can make survivors want to avoid thinking about the crash. But according to insurance rules and state laws, you have a finite amount of time to make a claim or move forward with a lawsuit. Many insurance companies expect to be notified of a claim within a few days after the wreck. If you wait longer, it gives them fuel to minimize or deny your claim. 

With a lawsuit, it all depends on your state’s statute of limitations laws. Generally, you will have at least one year except if you are suing a government entity. Then you have significantly less time, and the rules are far more complex. 

Some exceptions can be made to the statute of limitations, such as if you were incapacitated as a result of a car accident. Suppose you are physically unable to file a lawsuit. In that case, the courts may grant an extension. Still, you will have to provide medical evidence that shows you were incapacitated. 

When you are the victim of a car accident, the last thing you want to be saddled with is stressful arguments with insurance companies. We can take this off your plate and so much more. Generally speaking, we provide the following services.

Communicate with other parties on your behalf -  Negotiation is an art, and you need a lawyer who has excellent communication skills as well as the capacity to build equitable relationships. 

Gathering evidence to prove liability - Proving liability is the cornerstone of a successful claim. Our lawyers will not only examine photos and police reports and talk to witnesses, but they may even do a physical inspection of the scene of the accident. It’s possible that there is something that was overlooked by the police that may have contributed to the accident. 

Gathering evidence of damages - You may think getting the necessary documentation from your doctor would be easy. Still, it’s our experience that sometimes you need to be proactive and persistent. There are procedures that need to be followed to collect medical records, and if you don’t, you’ll experience delays. Perhaps most importantly, we will make sure that your medical records reflect the causation of injuries as well as the prognosis and any temporary or permanent disabilities.  

Lienholder negotiations - It’s not common knowledge, but if your health insurance covers your injuries, they will expect to get reimbursed after your settlement. We can work with any lien holders to minimize the amount you will have to pay back. 

Represent you in a court of law - While the majority of car accidents are resolved with settlements, sometimes no agreement can be made between you and other parties. Suppose your claim is complicated by previous injuries, and the insurance company won’t budge and refuses to pay because they claim their client didn’t cause your injuries. In that case, the only way to resolve this dispute may be a lawsuit. Our attorneys build each case they take on as if it will end up in a courtroom. This may seem like a no-brainer, but many personal injury lawyers will do anything to avoid getting bogged down in a trial, even if it means accepting an insufficient settlement. 

That’s something our lawyers would never do. You have a right to get the full value of your claim, and we aim to make sure that happens. If you’re ready to fight for your future, we'll be standing right beside you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and let us show you the Morgan & Morgan difference.