When to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Car Accident

Filing insurance claims can be a difficult, long and complicated process, but should be made in more situations than expected. There are many possible hidden and long term costs involved with car accidents and can be divided into two main categories of personal injury costs and property damage costs. The greater portion of possible costs come from personal injuries, because they are not limited to physical injuries. Mental trauma is also cause for filing a personal injury claim.

Physical Injuries

Compensation for physical injuries includes work related issues in addition to the actual medical costs. When an injury causes changes in employment status or ability, an injury claim should be made.

• Medical costs include more than simply doctors’ or hospital fees. When an injury has the possibility to cause more damage in the future, an estimate of these costs can be claimed. At least one medical professional should be consulted to accurately predict these costs.
• Losses in income or reduced earning ability are a major part of personal injury costs that should be claimed after an accident. Employers must be contacted to document the value of the missed work, or in cases of reduced working ability, an estimate future lost earnings. These claims can be made even if an employer provides compensation for injuries, but can only be claimed if the missed work was ordered by a doctor.

Mental Trauma

Documentation for physical injuries and their value is much simpler than mental trauma. Consultation with a psychologist provides the closest possible estimate for these damages.  Often mental trauma is missed in claims because it is not acknowledged until after the claim is made, or until after it is too late to file one.

• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish often prove to be the most costly effect of a car accident in the end. Initially stemming from the accident, these effects can accumulate and build up because of the stress involved with the processes that must be taken care of after it.
• Loss of consortium is the unique form of mental trauma, which is caused by marital problems caused by the injury. Commonly associated problems are things such as, loss of companionship, worsened sexual relationship, but many other issues are plausible.

Getting Legal Help

Deciding whether to file an insurance claim is not always easy, but is a great deal of legal professional aid available. Many lawyers specialize in insurance, and even further with auto insurance. These lawyers can effectively organize claims, finding and determining the value of all costs to be claimed. Often personal or business referrals are the most effective way to find the right lawyer, but online services are also widely available.