Largo Car Accident Attorney
Over the course of a year, more than 2.3 million people wind up in the emergency room after a car accident. An ER visit is often only the start of a long and costly healing process. It can take accident victims several weeks or months to reach maximum medical recovery. Even so, injuries can leave them with chronic pain and limitations for possibly a lifetime. Additionally, for most accident victims, the cost of treatment is a significant financial strain.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident because of someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to bear these burdens alone. There are various forms of compensation you can recover from the at-fault party. To learn more about your options, contact Jones Law Group today.
How a Car Accident Claim Works
Before Florida drivers pursue a claim against another driver’s insurance company, they must first exhaust their own Personal Injury Protection coverage. This will cover a portion of your medical bills and lost wages. However, there are some exceptions. If you’ve sustained a permanent injury, you can pursue a car accident claim even if your PIP coverage isn’t exhausted.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Sometimes unavoidable conditions on the road do contribute to car accidents. However, most of the common causes of accidents are actually preventable.
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Bad weather
- Driver exhaustion
- Tailgating
- Ignoring traffic signs
- Aggressive driving
- Mechanical failures
- Swerving to avoid obstacles
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury that happens to the muscles and tendons of the neck. When your neck is forcefully jerked back and forth during a car accident, the muscles and tendons tear and stretch. Whiplash affects 83% of patients who are treated for car accident injuries.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries happen when ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the body sustain damage. Damaged soft tissues can lead to swelling, cramps, spasms, muscle weakness, and pain. If you have a soft tissue injury, you may notice that your range of motion becomes limited. Your joints could also become unstable and unable to bear weight.
Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs develop from a jolt or blow to the head. There are many possible severe consequences of TBIs. These include cognitive decline, unpredictable emotions, and chronic pain.
Broken Bones
Any bone can break due to a car accident, including bones in the legs, arms, and ribs. Broken bones in the neck and back often have the most potential for long-term health consequences.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding is particularly dangerous because it can easily go undetected. It prevents vital organs from getting the blood supply the need.
Neck and Back Injuries
The most critical neck and back injuries affect the spine. Spinal injuries can result in paralysis and other forms of nerve damage.
Emotional Trauma
It is normal to become saddened or frustrated when you’ve been injured. Your body may not look, feel, or function like it did prior to the car accident.
What to Do After a Car Accident
After calling 911, collect as much information as you can. By law, the other drivers involved are required to share their name, license, address, and registration. It is also useful to collect witness statements and their contact information. Take photos of the damages, including pictures of both vehicles and any visible injuries. Pictures and video of the surrounding area can also help to piece together the causes of the accident later.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Prompt medical intervention may prevent your condition from getting worse. It is also an important way to document the progress of your injuries and treatment. Continue to receive care and save records over time. They will serve as valuable evidence in your personal injury case.
How Can an Attorney Help my Case?
The other driver and his or her insurance company will be reluctant to admit fault. In fact, the other insurance company may try to twist your account of the accident to place the blame on you. An attorney who is experienced in investigating car accidents can help you to establish that the other party is liable. Your attorney will handle these conversations with the insurance company and fight for the most compensation available to you.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive?
Medical Bills
This includes the cost of hospital stays, medications, physical therapy, and doctors’ visits.
Lost Wages
The time you take away from work to receive care and recover at home factors into your claim’s value. Your car accident attorney will also calculate any future opportunities affected by your accident.
Property Damage
This includes car accident damages to your vehicle, belongings, and real estate.
Pain and Suffering
You can receive compensation for the physical pain and emotional toll caused by a car accident.
Permanent Loss and Disability
If your injuries and their impacts are permanent, the amount of compensation you need may have to be enough to cover you for your lifetime.
Wrongful Death
A surviving spouse and children can pursue a claim for the financial and familial support they’ve lost.
Contact the Experienced Car Accident Attorneys at Jones Law Group
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, getting maximum compensation is an important part of your recovery. At Jones Law Group, we take a strong, unrelenting stance with insurance companies that attempt to settle for less than our clients deserve. We will manage your car accident case with the same dedication. Our initial evaluations are always free. Call us at 727-571-1333 or contact us online today.