Did you know that more than 38,000 motor vehicle accidents happen each year that result in severe bodily injury? Even when we try to drive as prudently as possible, the probability of someone getting into an auto accident involving injuries is relatively high.
If you recently sustained injuries at the expense of another driver, you are entitled to receive compensation for your damages. There are a few steps you must take to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Please continue reading below to learn more about claiming bodily injuries and who you can contact for more information.
What Is Bodily Injury?
After a car accident, you may suffer injuries from the collision, also known as bodily injury. A bodily injury is an injury that can cause someone impairment, disfigurement, or an organ or other part of the body. Death is also considered a bodily injury.
Examples of bodily injuries from auto accidents:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Burns and cuts
These are just a few examples of bodily injuries that arise as a result of a car accident. If you suffered injuries from a car accident, no matter how severe or minor, you can claim bodily injury damages against the at-fault driver.
How To Deal With Bodily Injury After an Accident
If you sustained bodily injury from an accident, it is crucial that you seek medical attention as soon as you can. Unless you suffered severe injuries from the accident, you might not notice that you are hurt until well after the accident.
When you get into a car accident, your adrenaline kicks in, making it hard to notice if you are injured. If you notice you are hurt, seek medical attention to ensure that you have no underlying issues.
Create an Auto Claim
Once you are well enough to do so, be sure to create a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy. The adjuster will ask you questions about what happened in the accident, and they will need to speak with their insured before they can pay out for your injuries.
If you’re considering hiring a personal injury attorney to handle your case, make sure you reach out to them first before you call the other driver’s auto insurance policy. Your lawyer will take care of the auto claim on your behalf.
What Can I Claim for Bodily Injury?
Most bodily injury claims seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, or loss of income. You can claim other types of damages, such as your attorney’s legal fees and general damages. General damages are damages that don’t have a specific number attached to it and are often referred to as non-economic damages.
Examples of general damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
Because these damages don’t have a number attached to them, these damages are a bit harder to calculate. In order to best calculate non-economic damages, it is best to work with a reputable car accident attorney. They know how to calculate general damages, so you get the compensation you deserve.
Follow Up With the Auto Insurance Company
If you decide to go against the other driver’s insurance company on your own, you may have to continuously follow up with them to find out the status of your claim. There are some adjusters who are on top of their caseloads, and they reach out with updates, but most adjusters take their time, especially when it comes to creating a settlement offer for bodily injury.
If you receive a settlement offer for your injuries, make sure to have it reviewed by an attorney before you sign anything. The settlement offer provided to you may sound like it is fair, but it may not be.
These auto insurance adjusters are trained to create offers that best serve the company, not the victims of the accidents. When you work with a reputable lawyer, they can advise you if the offer is fair or if there is more that you could claim.
Should I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
After you suffer bodily injury from an auto accident, you will need to reach out to the other driver’s insurance company to create a claim. Although you don’t need an attorney to do that for you, it is best to reach out to one for legal advice. Most reputable lawyers provide their clients with free, no-obligation case evaluations. This initial meeting gives you the opportunity to meet with the lawyer and ask them questions about the next best steps to take.
Protects Your Interests
As mentioned earlier, auto insurance adjusters represent the auto insurance company. This means that they will make offers in the best interest of their employer.
Your car accident lawyer protects you and your interests. They will look at all aspects of your case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Help With a Bodily Injury Claim
The last thing anyone wants to deal with after an auto accident is fighting for the compensation they deserve for their bodily injury. Not only do you have to worry about healing and getting back on your feet, but you have to chase around an adjuster to make sure they properly compensate you.
To avoid that headache entirely, it is best instead to give that burden to a personal injury attorney. If you recently sustained injuries in an auto accident, contact us for more help. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, and we look forward to speaking with you about your legal options.
