The aftermath of a personal injury accident can bring physical pain, financial stress, and emotional turmoil to your life. Medical bills and missed work strain your finances, and the impact on your daily life can feel overwhelming. On top of everything else, navigating the legal system to recover compensation for your injuries can be a daunting task.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you deserve fair compensation. The team of experienced personal injury lawyers at Werner, Hoffman, Greig, & Garcia is dedicated to defending the rights of our clients. For a free consultation, call us at (800) 320-HELP or contact us online.
The Basics of Personal Injury Accidents
A personal injury accident is any incident that results in a physical injury to a person due to the negligence or fault of another person or party. The key factor is negligence. This means someone else’s carelessness, recklessness, or failure to act reasonably led to your accident. Common examples of personal injury accidents include:
Injuries Commonly Caused by Personal Injury Accidents
Personal injury accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor to life-altering. Understanding the common types of injuries sustained in an accident can help you protect your rights and well-being.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments–the connective tissues that support your body. While often less severe than bone fractures or internal injuries, soft tissue injuries can cause significant pain and limit your mobility.
Common examples include:
- Whiplash: A common neck injury resulting from a sudden, forceful jerking of the head. Whiplash injuries often occur in rear-end car accidents.
- Sprains: Overstretching or tearing of ligaments, typically affecting ankles, knees, or wrists.
- Strains: Overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, often occurring in the back or legs.
- Contusions (bruises): Damage to soft tissue beneath the skin caused by a blunt impact.
Bone Fractures
A fracture is a break in a bone. The severity of a fracture can range from a simple crack to a complex break with multiple pieces.
Common types of fractures include:
- Closed fracture: The bone is broken but does not pierce the skin.
- Open fracture: The broken bone protrudes through the skin.
- Comminuted fracture: The bone is shattered into multiple pieces.
Fractures often result from high-impact accidents, slip-and-falls, or crushing injuries.
Head and Facial Injuries
Injuries to the head and face can be particularly serious, as they may involve damage to the brain or vital sensory organs.
Examples include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): TBIs are serious injuries caused by a forceful impact to the head.
- Concussion: Concussions are a mild form of TBI.
- Lacerations: Cuts or tears to the skin.
- Broken jaw: A fracture of the jawbone.
- Eye injuries: Damage to the eyes, including scratches, punctures, or internal bleeding.
Head and facial injuries often require immediate medical attention, and are more likely to result in long-term consequences. This is especially true if you receive multiple head injuries over time.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are injuries to organs and tissues within the body. They can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms may not appear immediately.
Common types of internal injuries include:
- Internal bleeding: Bleeding within the body, often caused by damage to organs or blood vessels.
- Organ damage: Injuries to the liver, spleen, kidneys, or other organs.
- Punctured lungs: A collapsed lung caused by air leaking into the chest cavity.
Internal injuries can be life-threatening and require prompt medical treatment.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the neck and back and the spinal cord can have devastating consequences, including paralysis. Common types of spinal injuries include:
- Herniated disc: A ruptured or bulging disc in the spine.
- Spinal fractures: Breaks in the bones of the spine.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord, which can result in paralysis.
These injuries often occur in car accidents, falls, and workplace accidents.
Compensation for Victims of Personal Injury Accidents
Compensation in personal injury cases aims to financially recover the losses suffered by the victim and account for the additional, non-financial impact the accident has on the victim’s life. Here’s a breakdown of some recoverable damages:
- Medical expenses: Covers past, present, and future medical bills associated with the injury.
- Lost wages: Compensates for income lost due to the inability to work while recovering.
- Loss of earning capacity: Accounts for future income reductions if the injury affects the long-term ability to work.
- Pain and suffering: Recovers for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensates for the inability to participate in hobbies and activities once enjoyed.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Recovers for permanent physical changes resulting from the injury.
Obtaining the full range of compensation depends on the specific details of the case and the severity of your injuries. If you have been injured in an accident, consulting with a personal injury lawyer can help determine the damages you may be owed.
WHG Can Help You Secure the Compensation You Need to Cope With Your Personal Injury
In the aftermath of a personal injury accident, you’re likely dealing with a lot more than just physical pain. Medical bills pile up, and lost wages create financial strain. You may also suffer from emotional trauma. Dealing with insurance companies and potentially even a personal injury lawsuit is another burden in an already challenging time.
Here’s how a personal injury attorney can help you make it through:
- Handling legal complexities: Personal injury law can be intricate, with specific procedures and deadlines. A personal injury attorney can handle the legal legwork, letting you focus on your recovery.
- Providing expert guidance: You won’t be facing the insurance companies alone. Your attorney will be your advocate, ensuring your rights are protected and negotiating aggressively for a fair settlement.
- Building a strong case: Experienced attorneys know how to gather and present the right evidence, maximizing your chances of a successful outcome. This includes collecting medical records, police reports, witness statements, and other crucial details to support your claim.
- Maximizing your compensation: Personal injury attorneys understand the variety of damages you may be entitled to, and can make sure your compensation reflects the full impact your accident has had on your life.
Talk to WHG About Your Personal Injury Accident
Suffering a personal injury accident can be a stressful experience as you deal with painful injuries and unexpected financial burdens. With the help of the right personal injury attorney, you can rest easy knowing your case is in good hands.
Our team here at WHG will be with you for every step, even if that means taking your personal injury claim to trial. If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence and are looking for an experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyer to defend you, we can help.
Contact Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia today for a free consultation. We are committed to protecting your rights and helping you reclaim your life. You can contact us online or call us at (800) 320-HELP to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a doctor after a personal injury accident?
Even if your injuries seem minor, seeking medical attention is critical after an accident. A doctor can diagnose and document your injuries, which will provide an important paper trail for any personal injury claim.
Early medical attention also helps ensure you receive proper treatment, especially if you have injuries you’re not aware of.
What happens if the insurance company denies my claim?
If your insurance claim is denied, don’t give up. A personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Speaking with an experienced attorney can help you explore all available options, including appealing the decision or filing a lawsuit.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?
The time limit to file a personal injury lawsuit varies by state. In Florida, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim.
It’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to understand the specific deadline for your jurisdiction and ensure you don’t miss the filing window.
