What happens when you or a loved one are the victims of a car or truck accident? What happens if you unexpectedly slip and fall because of someone else’s negligence? What are your options? The Pottenger Law Firm has been handling cases for victims of these types accidents for more than two decades. With that experience comes the knowledge that the outcomes from these situations can be devastating and possibly life-altering. There is never a good time for an accident to occur, but that does not stop it from happening. When they do occur, you need to ask yourself “How much is my injury worth?”
Physically
Let’s start with the immediate ramifications of getting injured. Depending on the severity of the accident injuries can range from whiplash to loss of limbs, or even death of a loved one. It is not uncommon that because of your pain the ability to work can decline, but also there is the possibility that you won’t be able to work at all. You also need to consider that even doing everyday activities can become tedious and hard to accomplish.
The immediate effects of an injury are not always where the suffering stops. Injuries can have lasting effects that require prolonged medical attention or even last a lifetime. Not only that, but some symptoms are delayed and were not present at the time of the accident. It is unfortunate, but without proper representation at the time of the accident, the insurance company may not cover those future recurrences, leaving you with the bill.
There are a few unsettling facts that need to be understood about possible long-term injuries. In the event of brain damage, there are numerous symptoms that can affect your entire life. Another long-term injury is the possibility of loss of limbs, and in the unfortunate event that a limb is lost, the victim will have to figure out how to deal with that injury. Funding for a prosthetic can be costly and out of the financial range of what the insurance company is willing to pay. The medical expenses that accompany any injury, minor or massive, can easily pile up and overwhelm you.
Emotionally
The backlash of an accident is not always physical; it can be emotionally distressing too. The way that emotional distress affects each victim is different. A victim can leave an accident carrying the weight of post-traumatic stress disorder, disturbing flashbacks, new phobias, and even nightmares. Suffering through an accident can also cause panic attacks, anxiety, or even the inability to function through a normal day. Readjusting to daily life with your injury can cause emotional discomfort and depression, and it goes without saying the emotional pain and depression that would be caused by the loss of a limb, or worse, a loved one is an unbearable thought. There is nothing that could prepare you for that and often requires therapy to cope with.
Financially
It goes without saying that financial compensation does not completely fix the situation, especially in the cases where a victim loses a loved one. What is important to remember is that expenses and bills do not stop coming, and there will be additional expenses because of the injury. This can be increasingly difficult to deal with depending on the severity of the injury, and the mental condition the victim is in.
As stated, injuries can halt your ability to work for a period of time or indefinitely. How challenging would it be to cover expenses if there is a loss of household income? You need to consider the loss of wages associated with that.
You want to make sure that after an accident takes place, you are able to take care of your financial needs. The main focus should be repairing your life and your wellbeing; financial concerns should be an afterthought, but often you need to deal with that immediately unless you’ve hired a lawyer to take care of that. The events and injury of every case are what determine compensation, so it can vary case by case. To get a rough estimate of what your injury is worth, try the NOLO Personal Injury Calculator.
Don’t Rely on Insurance
A common misconception is that insurance will cover everything, or that the insurance companies are giving you a fair deal. Keep in mind that insurance companies are a business too, they have a goal to increase profits as well. While they may be willing to cover current medical bills, there is no guarantee that they will cover any future complications caused by your injury. Be sure that you document everything and take plenty of pictures. Having proof of the incident and what happened along the way is essential for when dealing with insurance companies.
This information can feel overwhelming, but an accident can change your life in an instant. Be prepared for whatever life throws at you with these tips on what your injury is worth, but better yet, consult a lawyer if you or a loved one has been injured. The Pottenger Law Firm will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us at 816-531-6006 or send us a message to arrange a free consultation.