Dealing With A Car Accident’s Aftermath

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

It is imperative that you know some common injuries that arise from car accidents. Often, these injuries may not show until days or even weeks later. However, that is not to say that your body isn’t being negatively and severely impacted merely because you don’t feel the pain right away. Rather, you should always see a doctor at your earliest convenience once you’ve been involved in a car crash. If not, you should certainly see a doctor and get a medical report one you start showing symptoms of injuries. Regarding injuries you can expect, they may be:

• Brain injury
• Neck sprain
• Back sprain
• Whiplash
• Foot injury
• Facial fractures
• Mild or severe concussion

How Severe Are Car Accident Injuries Usually?

Car accidents can be minor, moderate, or significant. It all depends on the speed of the cars at the time of the crash, whether there was a single crash or a multiple car pile up, whether the crash caused a driver or passenger to be projected outside the car (i.e., flying through a window or windshield), which side(s) of the car was harmed, and whether the vehicles crashed into sturdy, solid objects, such as a tree or pole. The type of cars involved (i.e., whether a small or large vehicle like a compact car or heavy duty truck) and whether their safety functions were working properly also play a key role in the degree of injuries sustained.

Can I Sue For Emotional Trauma?

Typically, yes, you can sue for your emotional trauma in a personal injury case. In fact, compensatory damages is broken into two categories: economic and non-economic harm. Your emotional injuries tend to fall under non-economic harm. This includes pain and suffering, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment, and loss of consortium between a married couple. However, if you sought therapy for your mental anguish, you can also sue to recover the costs of those bills. 

But recovering from emotional harm caused by your accident can be tricky. Some courts will lowball you unless you justify the amount you’re seeking in recovering with well-crafted and evidence-based arguments. This is why it’s good to hire a car accident lawyer Woodland Hills, CA residents have trusted for decades. 

When Should I Return to Work?

You should only return to work when you feel that your body is comfortable. Returning to work too soon can exacerbate your injuries. The last thing that you want is for your injuries to worsen because you pushed yourself too soon. Although we understand that everyone needs to work to make a living, remember that you can sue the at-fault driver for lost wages due to the downtime you took from work. Moreover, if your doctor says you should avoid strenuous or daily work for a particular time, it’s in your best interest to follow those guidelines. 

Will Returning to Work Hurt My Case?

Sometimes, plaintiffs fear that returning to work too soon can imply that their injuries aren’t as severe as they claim. This is a slippery slope. If you claim you’re suffering from excruciating pain that requires extensive medical treatment but you’re also back at work in a few days, a judge may be likely to award you less money. On the other hand, if your doctor signs off on you doing “light” work or work that is not strenuous, this can also prove that the car accident hurt you badly. Every case is different in this matter. If you have any questions about how your actions may impact your case, contact Barry P. Goldberg for advice.