Whether you were involved in a fender-bender or a crash that completely totaled your car, the aftermath can be overwhelming. You may be worried about how you’ll cover the cost of repairing your car. How will you be able to afford a new car? What steps will you need to take to get a rental car?
The costs associated with a crash can go far beyond the damages to your car — some of which can come as quite the shock. Even if you're typically a safe driver, there’s a good chance you might still get into a crash at some point in your life. That's why it's important to know what to expect so you’re prepared to take the right course of action.
What if I owe medical bills?
If you were injured in a car accident, the cost of your medical expenses will depend on the severity of your injuries and the extent of your treatment. In many cases, people sustain minor injuries and make a full recovery within weeks or months. Some car accident injuries aren’t immediately noticeable. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor within 24 hours of your crash, even if don't have any noticeable symptoms or pain. Injuries you may not notice right away include:
- Whiplash — rapid backward and forward motion of the head that damages the soft tissue in the neck.
- Mild traumatic brain injury — head trauma that results in a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion (please note that concussions can range from mild to severe).
- Spinal injury — vertebrae or a disc is dislodged due to the impact of a crash, resulting in back pain or discomfort.
- Bone fracture — minor fractures or hairline fractures.
Some injuries can be treated without surgery or long-term physical therapy. Other injuries can cause long-term complications or result in disability. A lot of crash victims with serious injuries never fully recover, even after undergoing corrective surgery and physical therapy. These injuries include:
- Severe traumatic brain injuries
- Severe bone fractures
- Damage to internal organs
- Serious damage to the spine or spinal cord
- Amputations
- Paralysis
If you’ve been injured in a crash, an experienced car accident attorney can help you get compensation for all your accident-related medical expenses, including the cost of future care.
What if I'm too injured to return to work?
If you sustain a minor injury that requires nothing more than minimal treatment and rest, it's best to take some time off from work until you recover. Your lost wages from days missed at work could be recovered through a car accident claim.
A severe injury may leave you out of work for several months, or maybe even years. Even when you return to work you may not function the same way you once did. That means your employer could potentially place you in a lower-paying position with different duties.
Why do I need an attorney to handle my claim?
It’s rare for an insurance company to offer you full compensation for your damages. You shouldn’t count on them to accurately tally up the cost of all your accident-related expenses.
Insurance companies are more concerned with cutting their own costs and making your claim go away as quickly and cheaply as possible. One way they do this is by offering a small financial settlement in hopes that you'll just take it and go away.
The problem with a settlement is that once you accept it, you typically can't pursue anymore compensation for your damages. If you’ve sustained a severe injury that requires extensive treatment, it’s likely that your settlement won’t cover the cost of your long-term care.
That's why it's critical that you avoid speaking to the at-fault driver's insurance company. Instead, consult with an experienced Fairfield car accident lawyer.
Get the car accident lawyer who fights for Fairfield
Vishno Law Firm knows how to handle the insurance company and get you fair compensation so that you don't have to pay out of pocket for your damages. Car accident attorney Jeremy Vishno has more than 30 years of experience fighting for Fairfield County’s injured. He'll aggressively advocate for your best interests.
Let Vishno be your voice. We offer free consultations and represent our clients on a contingency fee basis. That means there are no upfront costs and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today to learn more.