Car accidents are complicated and painful, and the crash is only the beginning of the difficult journey that car accident victims must endure. Mounting medical bills, ongoing lost wages, and the complications of severe injuries are all part of the aftermath of an auto accident, and these issues don’t even begin to account for how frustrating the car accident claims process is.
Even in a situation where the at-fault driver is clearly and unequivocally responsible for the Pompano Beach auto accident, insurers will do everything possible to leverage Florida law to their advantage
1-800-Injured Connects Car Accident Victims With Pompano Beach Attorneys
Filing a personal injury claim after suffering from car accident injuries is complicated, and connecting with car accident attorneys is one of the best decisions that a victim can make. Pompano Beach car accidents are complicated, and as you are trying to juggle medical expenses, lost wages, and more, you’ll be thankful to have a team of experienced car accident attorneys representing your case while you focus on your personal life.
1-800-Injured is a medical and legal referral service. Contact us right away to be connected with a Pompano Beach law firm for a free legal consultation with an attorney who is experienced in traffic accidents.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The following are just a few of the many injuries that are common in a traffic accident. If you have suffered injuries, whether or not they are listed below, contact 1-800-Injured to be connected with a Pompano Beach car accident lawyer who can help you make sense of your car accident claim.
You will be able to talk about the specifics of your situation during your free case evaluation about your car wreck.
Bruising
Bruising is extremely common from any sort of impact, such as a car crash, and oftentimes will show up immediately. Severe bruising, however, can take a few days to develop and may cover a large area of your body. These types of injuries typically require rest and ice to heal properly, but some may indicate a bigger issue and should be reviewed by a medical professional regardless.
Whiplash
Whiplash is caused by the force of your head being quickly jerked forward and then backward. The ligaments, muscles, and tendons in your neck are all strained during this process, which can lead to extensive pain and discomfort. Whiplash is often treated with physical therapy, pain medication, and rest, but after a serious Pompano Beach car accident, it may require surgery that will add to your existing medical bills.
Broken Bones
Although less common than other injuries, broken bones can still occur during a car crash, especially if there is a lot of force involved or if you are hit by a larger vehicle. Broken bones require immediate medical attention and may need to be set or put in a cast. These injuries will have a serious impact on a victim’s ability to continue working and enjoying their lives as they did before the motor vehicle collision.
Lacerations
Cuts are also common in car accidents, especially if there is glass involved. Cuts can be extremely minor, such as a small cut on your finger, or they can be more serious, such as a deep gash on your arm. Most minor cuts will heal on their own, but more serious ones may need stitches.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Although less common, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are still possible in car accidents. TBI can range from a mild concussion to a more serious injury, such as a skull fracture. Symptoms of a TBI can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and difficulty concentrating, and more serious TBIs can lead to permanent brain damage and notable changes in personality. If you think you or another passenger may have suffered a TBI, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
Seatbelt Injuries
Although seatbelts are designed to protect you during a car accident, they can still cause injuries. The most common seatbelt injury is bruising from the strap itself, but the belt can also cause more serious injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage.
Airbag Injuries
As with seatbelts, airbags are designed to protect you during an accident, but there are possible injuries that a car accident victim may suffer due to this life-saving device. Typically the most common injury from a deployed airbag is a friction burn from the speed of the bag’s release, but it is also possible to break bones or suffer other injuries from the impact of the airbag.
Emotional Injuries
It is important to remember that not all injuries from a car accident are physical. Many people suffer from emotional distress, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after a motor vehicle collision.
These types of injuries can be just as debilitating as physical ones and often require professional help to overcome them. Insurance adjusters will often try to dismiss these injuries, but an experienced lawyer will fight to ensure that this very real, very difficult suffering is included in your settlement.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
If you are involved in a car accident in Pompano Beach, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that you are both safe and protected. The following are meant to be taken as a guideline but remember the most important thing for you to focus on after a crash is your health and safety.
Any steps that would interfere with this should be avoided. Failing to take proper care of yourself after the crash will lead to more serious injuries and will be used as evidence by the insurer that your injuries are not as bad as you state in your personal injury claim.
Take a Moment and Collect Your Thoughts
After a car accident, you will likely be shaken up and may not be thinking clearly as adrenaline courses through your body, and pain can cause your brain to go haywire. This is normal.
Take a moment to collect your thoughts before taking any further action.
Check for Injuries
Once you have calmed down, check yourself and any passengers in your vehicle for injuries. If anyone is seriously injured or bleeding, call 911 right away.
Do not try to move anyone who is injured, as this could make their injuries worse.
Move to a Safe Location
If you are able to do so, move your vehicle to the side of the road or a safe location away from traffic, like a median strip, breakdown lane, or sidewalk. If you cannot move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights and wait for help. If you can safely exit the vehicle, whether or not you can move it, do so.
Call the Police
Even if there are no serious injuries, you should always call the police (in Pompano Beach, this would be the Broward County Sheriff’s Office) after a car accident. The police will create an official report of the incident, which can be helpful when filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit later on.
If the at-fault driver is being aggressive or uncooperative, the police will be able to diffuse the situation and deal with the situation.
Exchange Information
Get the contact and insurance information from the other driver involved in the accident. You should also get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
If the other driver does not have insurance or refuses to give you their information, do not confront them about it. Simply wait for the police and let them handle the situation.
Do Not Admit Fault
You should avoid admitting fault for the accident, even if you think you may have caused it. Anything you say to the other driver or the police can be used against you later on, so it is best to remain tight-lipped about the accident and let the investigation play out.
Even something as simple as an apology may come back to haunt you.
Do Not Sign Anything
The other driver’s insurance company may contact you after the accident and try to get you to sign away your rights or accept a quick settlement. Do not sign anything or agree to anything without first speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer.
The insurance company is not looking out for your best interests and will often try to lowball you or deny your claim altogether. Insurers are not beneath resorting to intimidation tactics or taking advantage of a panicked victim and their inexperience.
Gather Video and Photo Evidence
If you are able, take video or photos of the damage to your vehicle and the surrounding area. If you are filming, provide narration explaining the events leading up to the crash, and call out any key details that you believe will be helpful. If there were any traffic signs or signals in the area, be sure to get photos of those as well.
No matter how clear these details seem in your mind right now, your memory will fade quickly. Gathering as much evidence as possible will be helpful when filing your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit later on because you can’t rely solely on your recollection or the police reports.
Seek Medical Treatment Right Away
Even if you do not think you were injured in the accident, it is important to see a doctor right away. Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, may not present themselves until days or weeks after the accident.
By seeking medical treatment right away, you will be able to document your injuries and link them directly to the car accident. Let the EMTs examine you at the scene of the accident, follow their advice, and whether or not you take an ambulance to the emergency room, schedule a follow-up with your lawyer immediately.
Call a Lawyer
After a car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced car accident lawyer. An attorney can review your case, help you gather evidence, and deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident, you need an advocate on your side who will fight for the compensation you deserve. The sooner you are connected with a Pompano Beach car accident lawyer, the more support they will be able to provide you with as they fight to recover compensation.