What Injuries Qualify for Compensation in an Auto Accident Injury Claim?
Many types of injuries qualify for compensation in an auto accident injury claim. Severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, will warrant compensation. Even minor injuries, such as cuts or lacerations, are also compensable. Your potential compensation in an auto accident injury claim depends on the extent of your injuries and how they affect your life going forward. Generally, the more severe your injuries are, the more costly your medical bills and the more compensation you can seek.
You can hire a Florida car accident lawyer to navigate you through your insurance claim. They can also help you file an accident lawsuit against the liable party and seek additional losses not usually covered by personal injury claims.
Car Accident Injuries Can Become Costly
Compensation for auto crash injuries can help accident victims access immediate and ongoing medical care. This is important, especially when they suffer severe injuries that could leave them disabled. Severe types of injuries in auto accidents can include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Internal injuries, such as organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Bone fractures
Auto accident injury compensation in these cases can help pay for months, years, or even a lifetime of physical therapy, in-home aid, and rehabilitative care.
Even Seemingly Minor Car Accident Injuries Can Mask Severe Conditions
Even seemingly minor bodily injuries can lead to debilitating conditions if left untreated. For example, Mayo Clinic notes that whiplash can lead to chronic pain, but symptoms may not even appear for days. Whiplash compensation could include future medical expenses to cover ongoing medical treatments. Other seemingly minor physical injuries that could prove severe or even life-threatening include:
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries, including strains and sprains
- Burns
When you hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your case, they can ensure that you seek fair compensation based on how your injuries affect you down the line.
The Importance of Seeking Prompt Medical Attention for Car Accident Injuries
A personal injury attorney can advocate for you during the auto accident settlement process, but they will need to show evidence that links your injuries to the accident. They also need evidence that your injuries warrant financial compensation for both current and ongoing medical costs.
This is why it’s important to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. Even if the first responders did not send you to the emergency room, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. This step can help rule out any severe injury with latent symptoms and help you reach your maximum medical recovery. Injuries can worsen without treatment, and you deserve to prioritize your health.
Furthermore, insurance claims for auto accidents hinge on medical records and bills. If you refuse or delay treatment, an insurance adjuster may try to argue that you contributed to your injuries or they were not as severe in the first place. Protect your health and your claim for compensation for auto crash injuries by following your doctor’s orders.
Some Types of Injuries Qualify for Compensation That Exceeds Insurance Coverage
Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, motorists have to carry a minimum of personal injury protection (PIP) coverage that pays for up to $10,000 in medical expenses regardless of who shares fault for the accident. If your injuries and financial losses exceed this cap, you may be able to step outside of this no-fault system and file a third-party claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Your injuries must meet the “serious injury threshold” established in Florida Statutes § 627.737. This includes significant scarring or disfigurement, permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury, or death.
When you file a third-party insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you can also seek compensation for non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and disfigurement
Florida’s Negligence Laws Will Affect Your Potential Compensation
Keep in mind that under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law, you cannot seek compensation if you are more than 50% responsible for an accident, according to Florida Statutes § 768.81.
When you hire a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney, they can investigate your accident and gather evidence of another party’s negligence. They can also challenge an insurance company’s determination of fault if they try to shift more of the blame onto you.
Call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato When Seeking Compensation in an Auto Accident Injury Claim
After suffering injuries in a car accident, you deserve to rest and recuperate, not hassle with the legal process. You may be unsure what types of injuries qualify for compensation in an auto accident injury claim. That’s okay. The legal team with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato can help assess your damages and seek fair compensation. Call us at (954) 633-8270 or contact us online for a free consultation today.
