If you get hurt in a car accident, you may be owed compensation. How much you are owed can largely depend on how serious your injuries are. Someone with serious injuries is likely to need a lot more medical care and there are other expenses that they are likely to encounter as well. This is why it can be a good idea to have a Monmouth County car accident lawyer on your side, someone who can help you calculate fair compensation and fight for it.
What Would Be Considered a Minor Injury?
Minor injuries can happen in any car accident, even low-speed ones. These injuries might require a bit of treatment and some rest, maybe some pain medication. The main thing differentiating them from serious injuries is that they are unlikely to stick around. You can quickly treat minor injuries like soft tissue damage, cuts, and sprains, and then you can move on with your life.
What Could Be Considered a Serious Car Accident Injury?
Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to only end up with minor injuries after a crash. Accidents can also cause a host of serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
These are all injuries that can take a long time to treat. In the worst-case scenarios, some of these injuries can result in lifelong health issues for an accident victim. When calculating damages in a personal injury case, that means that more than just the current medical expenses need to be accounted for. You need to think about future medical needs, whether someone can work to provide for themselves, or if they’ll need accommodations to deal with a disability in the short- or long-term.
Can “Fender Benders” Cause Serious Injuries?
We also want to note that even seemingly minor accidents can result in serious injuries. Whiplash, a neck injury caused by the head moving forward and “whipping” back in a rear-end collision, is a good example of this. People can get whiplash at low speeds and it can be a minor annoyance for some, but it can end up being a serious, long-term issue for others. Get to a doctor after a car accident, even if you feel fine.
Can I Sue For Damages?
If you only have minor injuries, you should be able to go through your own insurance and take care of your medical bills. New Jersey is a no-fault state and your car insurance policy is required to have personal injury protection, or PIP, coverage for exactly this kind of situation.
Unfortunately, if your injuries are serious enough you may need more than what your own policy can offer you. That’s when you sue for damages, going after the other driver’s insurance policy and their liability coverage. Your lawyer can help you negotiate with this insurer to get a fair compensation offer.
Contact Our Law Firm
So if you are thinking about pursuing damages, contact Falcon Law Firm and schedule a consultation. We can tell you more about your legal options and what an attorney can do to assist you in this difficult time.
