What To Do After A Car Accident
Need Help With Medical Bills? Call A Personal Injury Lawyer
With over 60 years of combined legal experience, the Los Angeles automobile accident lawyers at WCTL (West Coast Trial Lawyers) have seen it all. In relation to most personal injury cases, car crashes often carry the most severe bodily trauma.
Unfortunately, there are an estimated 6 million car accidents reported each year in the United States. 1.3 million of those car crashes result in a wrongful death. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries due to a car wreck, talk to the experts who know Los Angeles personal injury law to increase your chances of a fair accident settlement. Listed below are a few tips that will ease your journey to a speedy recovery.
HEAD / BRAIN INJURY
For mild cases, all that is required is a bit of rest and relaxation. Over the counter drugs used for headaches are also recommended. However, due to the severity of a head or brain injury, it is suggested that victims are closely monitored in case their condition worsens. Brain injuries sometimes take time to develop or show symptoms but can lead to very serious complications.
SPINAL CORD INJURY
Spinal cord injuries can affect your life in several different ways including loss of bowel control, mobility issues, difficulty breathing, and even loss of feeling. Unfortunately, there are no current remedies for spinal cord injuries and there is no way to reverse the damage. Instead, most doctors recommend consistent therapy to minimize the damage, prevent the injury from getting worse, and to encourage the victim to get back to a healthy lifestyle.
FACIAL INJURIES
For minor facial injuries, it is recommended that a cold compress should be placed on the swollen area. More severe cases may require surgery. Facial injuries can also be an indication that there may be problems with the spinal cord or brain, as well. There is not much that can be done about facial bruising and most doctors suggest rest, relaxation, and time to heal.
NECK INJURIES
Neck injuries are commonly associated with spinal cord damage. If your neck or spinal cord is injured, this can affect your mobility and cognitive reactions. Whiplash is the most common injury after a car accident and it can cause tenderness, pain, and chronic headaches. Pain medication is suggested for mild cases. However, it is suggested that patients remain closely monitored as a neck injury can be an indication of a more serious problem.
BACK INJURIES
Lower back pain is a common issue for most people. However, after a car accident, mild pain can be multiplied and worsened. For light cases, pain medication is suggested, but more future ongoing treatment, such as massages and physical therapy may be required.
INTERNAL INJURIES
Internal injuries are particularly dangerous because you may not be able to notice them right away, but they can cause long term and maybe even permanent damage. Internal injuries can include:
- Broken ribs
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Ruptured spleen
Because internal injuries are difficult to notice and diagnose, major hospital testing is required. Internal injuries tend to be the most dangerous and hard to treat, as most of these injuries require hospital attention.
PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURIES
There is a wide range of physical injuries that your accident settlement may cover. However, most people forget about the psychological injuries that may occur. Psychological injuries such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress can be mentally disabling and affect your life in a plethora of ways. Patients with severe depression may not even want to leave their homes.
Available Damages
Economic Damages
Economic damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for losses that a dollar amount can readily be attached to. Economic damages are calculated by determining the amount of out of pocket losses an aggrieved individual has or will expect to incur as a result of their injuries.
A few examples of economic losses include:
- Loss of Earning Capacity
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are essentially intended to cover losses that are thought of as subjective and will not necessarily cover out of pocket losses. Non-economic damages may include compensation for:
- Emotional Distress
- Pain And Suffering
- Loss Of Enjoyment Of Life
- More
Punitive Damages
The third type of damages a California court may award are known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended as punishment and are only awarded when a defendant’s behavior is especially harmful. Punitive damages are relatively rare and in fact were only incorporated in 5% of all verdicts.
WEST COAST TRIAL LAWYERS IS HERE TO HELP
Our personal injury attorneys will not charge you for a consultation. Our clients are represented on a contingency fee basis. If we do not win, you owe us nothing. There is no financial risk to prevent you from reaching out. Our qualified personal injury lawyers are highly-trained and have extensive experience with cases that are similar to yours. We are committed to helping you resolve your legal issues as quickly as possible while receiving the best results.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of emotional distress from an injury, reach out to our legal team 24 hours a day by calling us at (888) 341-9802or emailing [email protected].