Tort law to which we commonly refer to as the personal injury law is what ensures that a victim receives a well-deserved compensation for the injuries and losses incurred due to the other party’s fault. In addition to this, it is the personal injury law which holds an irresponsible or a negligent individual accountable for their actions.
The primary aim of personal injury law is to make our clients whole after acts of negligence, recklessness, and carelessness cause minor or major injuries to our clients. There are various types of cases that fall under the personal injury law category, including negligence, recklessness, intentional conduct, strict liability, and others. Most accidents will fall under the negligence subcategory – meaning the at-fault party failed to meet their standard of care and that failure resulted in bodily and sometimes psychological injury.
The most common causes of personal injury claims in the United States of America are auto accidents. Besides auto accidents, there are several other causes which include slip-and-fall injuries, animal attacks, injuries at the workplace, and premises liability. Out of all these, auto accidents give rise to the highest number of personal injury claims.
Many victims of car accidents do not even file any claims due to fear of court or their injuries being too minor. It is one of the biggest mistakes people make. Here is a general rule of thumb: if you have zero pain or discomfort after a car accident, there is no need to retain or call a car accident lawyer. But if you have pain, and you believe that minor injuries are not worth filing a claim, here are some things to consider.
Delayed Onset of Post Car Accident Injury Symptoms
In many auto accidents, the victims do not feel pain due to their injuries and do not even know that they have incurred injuries immediately after the car crash. Some victims may experience symptoms such as pain, inflammation, blurry visions after one day of the crash. Some injuries do not make any symptoms appear, and some make symptoms appear after two days, or even a week, after the collision. Whiplash is the best example to understand how your body does not show symptoms immediately after the accident. Whiplash injuries are when the soft tissue of your neck incurs injuries. It tears the tissues after experiencing hyperextension due to the injury. Even though the symptoms do not appear immediately, whiplash injuries may be very severe. Therefore, even if you think your minor injury will resolve itself, it is best to opt for medical assistance as soon as possible.
The worst-case scenario is that your pain completely resolves itself and you have wasted some time and money on a doctor’s visit. However, if you go to a doctor the same day or very shortly after a car accident, and the injury gets worse, you’ll have made an incredibly valuable decision. This is because:
Minor Car Crash Injuries May Turn Big in the Future
A major reason why many victims of car accidents do not file claims is that they think their injuries are too minor for filing a personal injury claim. Some injuries that appear to be minor tend to turn into very serious problems in the future. Many victims do not realize it until it’s too late. A reason why people think that their injuries are minor can be due to their body releasing adrenaline, which camouflages the true nature of the injury.
In many cases of car accidents where victims though their injuries were too minor, did not know about stretched ligaments, herniated discs, or other maladies that can have long-lasting impacts on the body.
These are the two reasons why it is not wise to ignore minor injuries, aches, or pain after a car accident. The very first step after a car accident is to seek medical assistance at its earliest. After a healthcare provider has fully examined you, you may consult a personal injury law attorney.
You must hire professional legal help if you think you were in an accident due to the negligence, recklessness, or even intentional conduct of someone else. It is a step you must take, regardless of how minor your injuries are, because the one at fault needs to face the consequences of their actions. Here is why you must hire a professional attorney even after incurring minor injuries.
Making an Insurance Claim for Injuries
Insurance companies are not at all considerate, and they are just money-making entities. You will need the assistance of a personal injury attorney to negotiate with your insurance company or they are more likely to take advantage of you.
Navigating the Injury Claim Process
With an attorney by your side, you will know what your next step has to be after filing a claim. An attorney has the experience to know exactly what the insurance companies are looking for, how they valuate injury claims, what actions will result in a reduced (or increased) personal injury settlement offer.
Expert Insurance Adjuster Negotiator
The party-at-fault’s insurance claims adjuster will try their best to make the victim admit something they can use in their defense or to minimize the value of what they will eventually have to payout. To save you from such pressure, an experienced injury claim attorney will negotiate smartly with the insurance company representing the party-at-fault.
Car Accident Lawyer Resources
https://www.thebalance.com/i-had-a-car-accident-now-what-2645472
Note: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Our dedicated team compiles accident news reports using a variety of trusted external sources, such as local news outlets, official police reports, social media updates, and eyewitness statements regarding incidents in Florida. While we strive for accuracy, the facts in this post have not been independently verified by our writers. If you identify any inaccuracies, please contact Neufeld & Kleinfeld, PA, immediately, and we will promptly address any corrections. Posts can also be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended as a business solicitation. The information provided should not be interpreted as medical or legal advice. Additionally, the photo accompanying this post does not depict the accident scene described in this post.