Car accidents can result in a person incurring permanently disabling injuries. It will be necessary to prove that your injuries are the direct result of someone else’s negligence. This will help to ensure you are fully compensated by the insurance company for expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
If you are involved in an auto accident it is important that you receive medical attention as soon as possible after the accident. It is the first step in dealing with an injury and seeing a doctor lends validity to your personal injury claim in several ways.
First you will obtain necessary medical documentation of your injuries required by the insurance company. Second you will be able to directly link your injuries to the car accident. Third you will establish the basis for your claim that the accident injuries resulted in the disability.
It is important to not agree to any insurance settlement before consulting an attorney. Sometimes what seems to be a minor injury may turn into a more serious condition over time. It may take a long time to determine the full extent of your injuries and losses and settling too early could mean you do not get all of the compensation due you.
Proving Your Case
When you are permanently disabled in an auto accident you are entitled to compensation for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Lost wages in the present and the future
- Lost ability to perform normal life activities
- Pain and suffering
Proving your case requires careful documentation of all expenses and losses related to your injuries that are incurred now and expected to be incurred in the future as a result of being permanently disabled. You will need to submit to the insurance company your medical records, doctor notes, a personal log noting the difficulties you experience as a result of your disability, wage statements and any other documentation proving you are disabled.
The two most difficult issues in cases of disabling injuries are calculating compensation for pain and suffering and determining a reasonable amount for lifelong medical expenses and lost wages. In some cases the amount is figured by multiplying the total amount of expenses by some factor. An attorney can help you determine a fair amount for your losses and suffering.
Contact an Attorney
Getting legal representation is importance when you have been injured in a car accident. An attorney will help you follow all the steps necessary to document your claim and can negotiate with the insurance company for full compensation. In some cases it is necessary to litigate.
