Luckily, most people experience few car accidents in their lifetime, if ever. However, lack of experience with car accidents makes it so most people are unaware or don’t remember from the last accident they were involved in years ago what to expect after a car accident.
The impacts of a car accident can range from how you feel physically to the logistics of your everyday life can change in the blink of an eye. Many victims are left unsure of what to do next or who to turn to.
Experiencing an automobile collision can disrupt your life in myriad ways. Some of the most daunting post-accident challenges include the loss of transportation, the inability to work, and coping with severe injuries that demand extensive and costly treatment.
Finding solutions to these pressing issues will form a significant part of your journey after the accident. An experienced car accident attorney in Centennial can navigate the unknown and sometimes frustrating waters after your involvement in a car accident.
Loss of Transportation
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, one of your primary concerns will be adjusting to life without convenient transportation. Questions like how to get your children to school or daycare, commute to work, and manage essential errands may weigh heavily on your mind.
Renting a car can be a temporary solution. Still, it may come at a considerable cost, especially if you cannot work.
Exploring whether your insurance covers transportation expenses related to the accident with a car accident lawyer.
Your lawyer will advocate for your rights and research available options if you find yourself in this situation. When you hire an attorney, they can pursue your available options. You may get the at-fault driver’s insurance company to cover your rental car.
Missed Work and Lost Wages
If your accident-related injuries are severe, there’s a possibility that you’ll have to take time off work, including any remote work you do. This hiatus might extend for weeks or even months, potentially jeopardizing your employment status. Moreover, returning to work may not be the same as before the incident.
Even if you don’t need an extended period off work, you may need to miss hours here and there to attend doctor’s appointments or therapy.
In such cases, you may be eligible to file an insurance claim for lost earnings. Secure legal representation to receive fair compensation and don’t inadvertently shortchange yourself. Your attorney will know what you need to prove a lost income claim and can gather the evidence on your behalf.
Ongoing Pain and Medical Care
Traffic accidents can lead to a broad spectrum of injuries, ranging from minor to severe, and exhibiting immediate or delayed symptoms. Some health issues may persist for an extended period, potentially affecting your quality of life for years or even permanently.
Seeking prompt medical attention after the accident is crucial for your well-being. Your doctors should thoroughly document your health issues so you can connect them to the accident.
Additionally, consulting with an attorney is recommended to understand essential legal aspects, such as the timeframe for claiming injury after a car accident, and to receive guidance on other critical matters.
The Fate of Your Vehicle After an Accident: What to Expect
Following a minor accident, your course of action typically involves exchanging information with the involved parties, liaising with the police if necessary, and then driving home.
Subsequently, you’ll await the appraisal of the damage by the insurance adjuster and arrange for your vehicle to go to the repair shop. However, in cases where your vehicle is undrivable, arranging for a tow becomes imperative. If the damage is irreparable, you may find yourself urgently seeking alternative transportation.
If your vehicle is no longer operable following a collision, arranging for a tow is the next logical step. There may even be instances where law enforcement mandates the towing for public safety reasons.
This situation requires you to determine the towing destination, assess associated costs for transport and storage, and ascertain who is responsible for expenses like rental cars and other incidentals arising from the accident.
Vehicle Repair Process
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident, particularly addressing the repairs to your vehicle, can be a significant challenge. Securing and comparing estimates and collaborating with your insurance provider or the at-fault party’s insurer to determine coverage are integral steps.
Sometimes, you may need to initiate repairs before fault is assigned, potentially necessitating out-of-pocket expenses with subsequent reimbursement.
Total Loss Classification
The term “totaled” encompasses not only vehicles with irreparable damage but also those where the cost of repair exceeds a certain percentage of the vehicle’s value, as stipulated by the insurance company. This classification prompts crucial decisions about whether to salvage the vehicle.
If your car is totaled, and you still owe money on it, you’ll face additional financial implications.
When you have a well-versed car accident attorney on your side, they can ensure that your rights are protected when it comes to the repair and replacement of your vehicle. They can also ensure you understand your options and select the best one for your situation.
What to Expect Physically After a Car Accident
Car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from minor discomfort to severe and even life-threatening conditions. Accident victims may not immediately feel the full extent of their injuries, but a doctor can tell them the symptoms to watch for.
Should you sustain minor or major injuries, seek the assistance of an experienced car accident lawyer to secure the compensation needed for your medical treatment. Accessing a proficient medical team during this period can provide crucial insights into your injuries and aid in devising an appropriate treatment plan.
Here are some physical symptoms to be mindful of after a car accident:
Headaches
Headaches may not manifest immediately after the crash, potentially surfacing days later. They can be indicative of various underlying causes, including anxiety, brain injury, concussion, PTSD, neck injuries, spinal cord trauma, and whiplash. Prompt medical attention is advisable if you experience post-accident headaches.
Neck, Back, or Shoulder Pain
Sudden or shooting pain in the neck, back, or shoulders is a common occurrence post-accident. These symptoms may stem from joint, tendon, or muscle injuries, muscle tension, nerve or tissue damage, stress, or bruising.
Bruising
Bruises resulting from capillary damage in the skin may not become apparent until some time after the collision. While most bruises heal naturally, severe accidents can lead to internal organ and soft-tissue injuries, necessitating immediate medical attention.
Numbness or Tingling Sensations
Nerve or tissue damage sustained in the accident may lead to sensations of numbness, pain, or tingling in various extremities. Seek medical care for proper assessment and treatment.
Psychological Issues
Emotional and mental conditions, including anxiety, depression, and trauma-induced emotional distress or concussion, can also manifest following an accident.
Abdominal or Stomach Pain
Seatbelt pressure during the collision can result in abdominal and stomach trauma, potentially causing pain or nausea. A medical evaluation must rule out potentially life-threatening internal bleeding.
Swollen Extremities
Swelling is a common aftermath of trauma, indicating tissue damage, muscle strains, sprains, or other injuries. Have a licensed physician examine any swelling.
Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus, may signify a severe head injury and should prompt immediate medical assessment.
Concentration and Memory Issues
Brain fog and memory lapses can occur due to head trauma, psychological shock, or mental stress from the accident, warranting medical attention.
Dizziness and Blurred Vision
Head injuries, PTSD, or other accident-related conditions can lead to dizziness and blurred vision, which you should never overlook.
Remaining vigilant about these symptoms and seeking timely medical advice can ensure a thorough assessment of your post-accident condition.
What to Expect from the Insurance Company After a Car Accident
If you were recently involved in an auto accident, you should expect the insurance company to put up a fight. In an ideal world, the insurance company—their own or the at-fault party’s—will do the right thing after a motor vehicle accident.
However, far too many insurance companies put profits before the people they are supposed to serve.
What does this mean for you? Typically, it means you can expect a fight for the money you deserve after being in a car accident. Unfortunately, you can’t just anticipate that the car insurance company will do the right thing and provide you with full and fair compensation after suffering injuries in an accident.
Insurance companies are fundamentally profit-driven entities, prioritizing their financial gains over the well-being of their insureds or claimants. Their primary aim is to maximize profits, which sometimes means attempting to minimize payouts to claimants.
Insurance adjusters rely on a range of tactics to potentially avoid offering a fair settlement.
These strategies may include:
- Establishing a facade of sympathy: Adjusters may go to great lengths to create a sense of camaraderie and appear genuinely concerned for your well-being. While this may seem comforting, it’s important to remember that their ultimate goal is to safeguard the company’s interests.
- Twisting your words or using them against you: Whatever you say to the insurance adjuster can potentially work against you. They are notorious for twisting your words to fit their narrative, so hire a car accident attorney and let them manage all interactions with the insurance company. That way you can protect yourself and not worry about something innocent you say hurting your claim.
- Prompting quick settlements: Some adjusters may be quick to propose a settlement before you’ve had a chance to consult with legal representation. They do this in the hope of resolving the matter swiftly and potentially offering a lower settlement amount.
- Shifting blame onto you: In certain instances, adjusters may attempt to deflect responsibility for the accident onto you. This tactic is employed to reduce the perceived liability of their insured party.
- Misrepresenting insurance coverage: There have been cases where adjusters provide inaccurate or incomplete information about the extent of available insurance coverage. This can potentially lead to a claimant accepting a lower settlement than they are entitled to.
- Disputing medical expenses: Adjusters might contest specific components of your medical expenses, attempting to downplay their significance or necessity in relation to the accident.
- Protracting the claims process: By prolonging the claims process, adjusters hope to wear down claimants, making them more likely to accept a settlement that may not fully cover their losses.
- Discouraging legal representation: Some adjusters may discourage claimants from seeking legal representation, assuring them they’ll receive proper care from the company. However, it’s important to remember that their duty is ultimately to their company, not to you.
When you initiate an insurance claim, you should feel confident that it will comprehensively address your losses.
If you harbor any doubts regarding the fairness of the proposed settlement or are uncertain about your rights in this situation, consult an experienced insurance claim attorney. They possess the skills and knowledge to safeguard your interests and ensure that you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Remember, having a legal advocate on your side can significantly level the playing field when negotiating with insurance companies.
Were You Recently in a Crash? Seek Help From a Qualified Car Accident Attorney Today
After a car accident, it’s only natural to face many challenges and hurdles. However, seeking professional assistance from an attorney can provide invaluable support in navigating these complex situations.
The Centennial personal injury lawyer can protect your rights, identify your best options, and help you move forward toward recovery and resolution. With a qualified car accident attorney on your side, you can focus on recovery from your injuries while they handle the rest. Financial recovery is critical to your physical recovery.
