Moreover, some injuries may end up having long-term consequences that can change the value of your claim. Here’s a list of the legitimate injuries and damages that qualify you for compensation.
No one can ever be well-prepared to deal with an accident and its consequences. Even if we know how we are supposed to act if we are involved in a crash, we may be too traumatized to react properly. It is crucial to seek medical help immediately; however, many people ignore that if they can walk and talk normally following an accident. They get fooled by the fact that some injuries don’t appear right away but take time to manifest and show their effects. Moreover, some injuries may end up having long-term consequences that can change the value of your claim. Here’s a list of the legitimate injuries and damages that qualify you for compensation.
Physical and emotional impacts of an accident
It is undeniable that the impact of an accident can be devastating both emotionally and physically. It is even worse when there are long-term effects that linger for quite some time. You may end up being traumatized and suffer from post-traumatic stress that can impede your daily life.
When it comes to the physical effects, some of them can prevent you from ever going back to your normal life. For instance, untreated broken bones can heal in the wrong way, leading to irreversible deformations. Moreover, brain injuries that are too severe may damage the neural cells, which can either take a long time to heal or not heal at all. Some long-term injuries that go unnoticed can lead to permanent disabilities, amputations, or paralysis.
Signs of failed recovery
If your injuries weren’t severe at the time of the accident, you should take from a few days to a few weeks to recover completely. However, if your injuries were more serious than you thought, it can take several months for your body to recover. You should be able to notice the signs of lingering injuries so you can know when to seek medical assistance.
One of the signs that indicate your muscles and tendons aren’t healing well is long-lasting soreness. This is a common symptom of airbag or seatbelt injuries. You may also have bruises that won’t heal easily. If you are still feeling sore for longer than the doctor told you to expect, you should go back to the emergency room. You shouldn’t take that lightly because you may be suffering from torn tendons or internal hemorrhage that can be life-threatening if left unchecked. That’s why it is best to run some tests to know the nature and severity of your injuries right after the accident.
Compensation value
In the case of long-term consequences, the compensation value changes drastically. That’s why you should have an attorney by your side. Insurance companies and the at-fault parties may compensate you without negotiations if it doesn’t cost them too much.
However, the more severe your injuries are, the more they are going to pay. That being said, they may try to disprove your claim by invalidating your suffering. That’s why you need to have an experienced lawyer by your side to guide you and explain the different kinds of compensations.
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Compensation for non-economic losses
Some compensations are designed to help you with the immediate medical costs following an accident. If the damage to your health is severe, the quality of your life will get affected. You may be unable to do the activities and tasks that you could easily do before. You may also be incapable of practicing a certain sport that your mental health depended on. Moreover, you will need to make regular visits to the doctor, which will add to your bills and empty your pockets in the long run.
You can file a claim known as lump-sum or non-economic loss compensation to help you with the expenses that come with the aftermath of an accident. However, to collect the compensation, you have to be the victim and not the at-fault person. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be against the insurance company and the people who caused your suffering.
Compensation for economic loss
Sometimes, your injuries can prevent you from going to work for some time. This means that you will have no income for the upcoming months and your economic status may deteriorate. The injuries may even lead you to quit your job if you are no longer physically or mentally qualified for it. In that case, you should apply for a pure economic loss claim, which can help you maintain your current living standard.
You should file a claim following an accident, whether your injuries are long-term or not. The law can protect you and provide you with compensation that can help you cover your medical expenses, even if you failed to report your injuries immediately. It is not easy to deal with the aftermath of an accident on your own. That’s why you need an attorney to take care of the logistics while you focus on your recovery.
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