When you are involved in a car accident, there’s no question it can be a difficult and overwhelming time for you and your family.
While the initial process to handle an accident involves talking to the police and going to the hospital, the effects of your injuries can last long after.
There are many car accidents – even minor ones – that result in long-term consequences that you may be faced to deal with for the remainder of your life.
The consequences resulting from a car accident range from minor (such as bruises, scrapes, etc. to severe. Regardless of how inconsequential an injury may seem, it can affect you for an extremely long time. The three most common long-term effects of injuries that result from car accidents can be found here.
Whiplash
Whiplash can occur if your next moves back and forth in a rapid motion. When this happens, injuries to the bones or soft tissues may occur. Whiplash can also affect your ligaments, muscles and nerves – and the effects of this injury can be long-term. Some of these include headaches, neck pain, memory loss and dizziness.
While cases of whiplash usually have a good prognosis, there are some victims who may experience generalized pain or chronic neck pain for the remainder of their lives.
Traumatic Brain Injury
The prognosis if you have received a traumatic brain injury isn’t usually as optimistic. A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs when your head experiences some type of forceful impact. This can cause serious and long-lasting cognitive damage.
Some of the specific issues related to a TBI include psychological problems, memory loss, reduced attention span and amnesia. The side effects can often last for a person’s entire life, resulting in them being unable to work and in some cases, not even handle day to day tasks on their own.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
There’s another type of psychological issue that may occur after you are involved in a car accident. It is called Post-traumatic stress disorder, or more simply, just PTSD. While PTSD is usually associated with situations involving sexual assault or armed conflicts, it can also be the result of severe car crashes. In many cases, if a person undergoes therapy, they can manage their PTSD symptoms.
However, this is an extremely serious condition. Unfortunately, there is no way to completely “cure” someone who has been diagnosed with PTSD. As a result, it can affect them for the remainder of their lives.
Compensation After a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, that wasn’t your fault, then you may be able to recover compensation for the long- and short-term injuries you incurred. The best way to know if this is possible is by working with a personal injury attorney. This attorney can review the specifics of your case and then factor in what the long-term injury has cost you. Some things you may be compensated for include:
- The loss of the ability to work and earn an income
- Medical costs associated with the injury
- Costs associated with any assistive equipment or care you may need now or in the future
- Therapy or rehabilitation after the injury
For most people, suffering long-term injuries after a car accident can put a huge strain on their lives and their financial stability. As a result, the best thing you can do is contact a car accident attorney for help. They can provide the assistance you need to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Learn more about receiving compensation for long-term injuries after being involved in a car accident by contacting the professional attorneys at Washington DC Car Accident Lawyer, at (415) 988-2070.
However, in law firms and courtrooms in the real world, the role that expert witnesses play is more subdued – but not any less vital.