Anyone who has been in a car accident knows that it can be a traumatic experience. Dealing with the aftermath, including insurance claims and repairs, can be overwhelming. If you were injured in a car accident, it is crucial to speak with a Bellevue personal injury lawyer to understand your rights and options. A lawyer can help guide you through the process and ensure that you receive fair treatment from the insurance company. Contact The Knowles Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents
Some of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents include the following:
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. Whiplash occurs when your head is suddenly jerked forward or backward with great force, causing your neck muscles and ligaments to stretch beyond their normal range of motion. Common symptoms of whiplash include stiffness and pain in the neck, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and even arm numbness or tingling. Additionally, whiplash can sometimes lead to memory problems, sleep disturbances, and depression.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are another common injury resulting from car accidents. The force of a collision can cause your bones to snap or shatter, especially if you’re involved in a high-speed crash or are hit by a larger vehicle. Commonly broken bones associated with car accidents include the femur, pelvis, ribs, wrists, and ankles.
Organ Damage
While broken bones will undoubtedly cause you pain and suffering, they will eventually heal, given enough time. But organ damage sustained in a car accident can be permanent—or even fatal. When your body is jolted around during a collision, your organs can become bruised or torn as they slam against your ribs or other bone structures. This type of internal bleeding can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Commonly damaged organs in car accidents include the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys.
Soft Tissue Damage
Soft tissue damage is any injury to your body’s muscles, tendons, or ligaments. This damage is often caused by seat belts or airbags deployed during a collision. While soft tissue damage may not be as immediately life-threatening as some other injuries on this list, it can still cause severe pain and may require surgery to repair.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most severe injuries that can result from a car accident—or any type of accident for that matter. A TBI occurs when your brain is injured by a blow to the head or by an object piercing your skull. Symptoms of a TBI include headaches and neck pain (similar to whiplash), confusion and disorientation, dizziness and loss of balance, blurred vision or ringing in the ears, fatigue or drowsiness, memory problems, or mood swings. In severe cases, a TBI can lead to coma or even death. If you suspect you have suffered a TBI after a car accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately.
Proving Negligence in a Car Accident
Whenever you are involved in a car accident, the first and most important question to ask is who was at fault, as you must prove that the other party was responsible to successfully recover compensation in a personal injury claim. Once you know who was at fault, you can begin to look at what kind of compensation you may be entitled to. To prove that the other driver was at fault, you will need to show that they were negligent by providing evidence of the following elements:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care. Every driver on the road has an obligation to drive safely and to follow all traffic laws. This means that they must drive without distractions, at a safe speed, and with caution. When a driver does not do these things, and they cause an accident, then they have breached their duty of care.
- The other driver breached that duty of care. Breaching the duty of care is most commonly done when a driver isn’t paying attention because they’re texting, talking on the phone, or are distracted by something else. Your lawyer can also show a breach by providing evidence that the other driver was under the influence at the time of the accident. Additionally, any traffic laws the other driver violated can be used to show a breach, such as speeding or running a stop sign.
- You were injured because of the breach. You must show that the other driver’s negligence caused your injuries. To do this, you will need medical records and expert testimony from your doctor or surgeon detailing your injuries and how they were caused by the car accident.
- Your injuries led to damages. To show damages, you must establish that your injuries led to financial losses, such as lost wages, medical bills, or pain and suffering. To establish these damages, you will need documentation such as pay stubs or medical bills outlining your losses due to the accident.
Why You Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s vital to seek legal guidance as soon as possible so you can focus on recovery. The following are some of the most important reasons to hire an experienced personal injury firm as soon as possible:
- The Insurance Company is Not On Your Side
When you’re dealing with an insurance company, it’s important to remember that they are a business. Their main priority is to make money, not to help you after an accident. They will do everything they can to pay you as little as possible or deny your claim outright. At the Knowles Law Firm, we know how to deal with the insurance company so that you can focus on healing.
- You Deserve Compensation for Your Suffering
In addition to the damage to your vehicle, a car accident can cause physical injuries like whiplash, as well as mental anguish like anxiety and PTSD. These injuries often have a lasting effect on your life, and you deserve compensation for them. We will fight for you to get the compensation you need and deserve.
- The Legal System is Complex
The legal system is complex, and unless you’re specifically trained to understand how it works, it can be very difficult to navigate. When you hire us, we will ensure that all deadlines are met and that all evidence is presented correctly to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Why Hire The Knowles Law Firm?
The Knowles Law Firm has more than 30 years of experience helping our clients recover compensation for their injuries. We understand how debilitating these injuries can be and how difficult it is to navigate the legal system on top of everything else you’re dealing with. We will review the details of your case at no cost or obligation to you. And if we believe you have a valid claim, we’ll fight on your behalf to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
