What You Need to Know About an Auto Accident Injury
You’ve Been in an Auto Accident. Now What?
There are a few things you should do if you’ve been injured in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault. The most important thing you can do is seek medical attention right away. A doctor should always be consulted, even if you feel uninjured. If you decide to file a personal injury claim, you will have a record of your injuries.
Delayed Injury Symptoms in a Car Accident
In the aftermath of a car accident, you may not feel any pain or experience any other symptoms, but that does not mean you are not injured. Often, full extents of injuries don’t become apparent for hours or even days. After a car accident, it’s important to know that delayed symptoms are possible, so you can receive the treatment you need as soon as it is needed.
Common Delayed Symptoms After an Auto Accident
The following are common delayed injuries after a car accident:
- Abdominal injuries – Damage to the abdomen or internal bleeding may take hours or even days to manifest symptoms.
- Back injuries – Herniated discs, sprains and strains can cause back pain that may not be apparent immediately.
- Whiplash: Cervical strain or sprain is a common injury in an auto accident, which can cause tears or painful stretching of the muscles in your neck.
- Chest injuries – Broken ribs or bruised sternums may not initially cause much pain, but as inflammation sets in, they get more painful.
- Traumatic brain injuries – A TBI may begin as a headache, confusion or loss of consciousness but may progress to be serious.
Collect Evidence After a Car Accident if You Are Able
In order to establish the cause of the accident, you should gather as much evidence as possible at the scene. If you have suffered an injury, you should take photos of the damage to your vehicle and your injuries. If there are witnesses to the accident, you should also get their contact information.
How an Injury Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation
If you’ve been in a car accident caused by another’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your lost wages and medical expenses and for your pain and suffering. This compensation can be recovered by an experienced personal injury attorney by:
- Finding out who was at fault for the accident
- Supporting your claim with evidence
- Calculating what you may be able to recover in compensation
- Representing you in negotiations with the insurance company
- If necessary, take your case to trial, although about 95 percent of all injury claims are settled through the at-fault party’s insurance company
Should I Accept a Settlement Offer From the Insurance Company?
It is always advisable to seek legal advice before accepting an insurance company settlement without a personal injury lawyer. It’s in the insurance company’s interest to pay out as little money as possible on claims. If you’re injured in an accident, you’ll need an experienced attorney to ensure that your claim is fully compensated.
What Is the Cost of Hiring an Attorney?
Contingency fee agreements are most often used by personal injury attorneys. In other words, you will only be responsible for attorneys’ fees only if they are able to recover compensation for you. Contact Travis Law as soon as possible if you have been injured in an auto accident that was the fault of another driver or entity such as neglected roads or a defect in your car. Get the compensation you deserve by fighting for your rights.
Pennsylvania’s Travis Law Firm: Auto Accident Lawyers
Travis Law Firm provides compassionate and professional assistance to clients injured in car accidents. Call us at (814) 277-2222 for a free consultation. Our online contact form is also available for your convenience. You can count on us to work hard for you to get the compensation you deserve.