Catastrophic car accidents result in serious injuries that can cause permanent disability or death and change the course of your life. To name a few examples of these injuries, they can include brain and spinal cord injuries, limb loss, loss of vision or hearing, or permanent disfigurement. These life-threatening injuries require a long course of treatment and rehabilitation. You may never fully recover, and you may also experience crippling emotional and psychological effects.
Many times, another driver’s negligence causes these catastrophic accidents. The other driver could be driving too fast for the road or weather conditions. They could be intoxicated, over-tired, or under the influence of medications or illicit drugs. They could be texting, talking on the phone, or doing other things that distract them from their motor vehicle’s attentive and safe operation. Their negligence makes them liable for the accident.
Your compensation after a catastrophic injury should consider economic and noneconomic damages. Economic or monetary damages are easy-to-quantify losses such as wage loss or medical bills. Noneconomic damages are less tangible than monetary damages, including effects such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Your potential settlement may cover many losses, including:
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization.
- Long-term outpatient rehabilitation and therapies.
- Medical equipment and assistive technology devices.
- Home renovations to accommodate wheelchairs or other medical equipment.
- Counseling and support to address emotional and psychological issues related to the accident, trauma, and loss.
- Skilled nursing care in an around-the-clock, long-term care facility.
- Pain and suffering.
- Limb loss and disfigurement.
Consider legal representation to ensure that your settlement covers the actual cost of the catastrophic car accident. The right personal injury lawyer can take the pressure off so you can focus on recovery and rehabilitation.
What to Do After a Life-Threatening Car Accident in Virginia
There’s no time to think after a catastrophic accident. Your injuries will need immediate attention, and that must be your focus.
There are four essential actions to take after a life-threatening car accident. If you cannot take these steps yourself due to injuries, someone can take them on your behalf.
- Report the accident to authorities immediately. Call 911 to get the support of local law enforcement and emergency medical responders. If you can, provide details for the police report.
- Accept emergency treatment and follow the guidance of your treatment team. With severe injuries, you will likely receive triage care from emergency medical personnel while they safely transport you to a medical facility to address your injuries. Do not delay or refuse treatment. Delaying treatment can risk your life and recovery and undermine your claims of severe injury.
- Notify your insurance company.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in catastrophic car accident claims. They will analyze your case and determine if it meets the requirements of a personal injury claim. They will review the evidence to decide which parties are at fault, and they will begin to quantify the extent of your losses.
Once you have secured representation, your lawyer will take the lead with the other party’s insurance company. They will conduct an independent investigation and secure witness testimony. They will help maximize your settlement, factoring in your current and future needs. They will take care of all the paperwork, correspondence, and negotiations.
A personal injury lawyer will be there to advocate for the monetary compensation you deserve. With the legal side of your claim under their expert oversight, you and your family can focus on rebuilding your lives after a catastrophic, life-threatening car accident.
Contact Us Today
If you have been injured in a catastrophic car accident in Virginia, the right lawyer can help you focus on what’s important: healing and getting your life back together.
Burnett & Williams is one of Virginia’s oldest and most recognized personal injury law firms. We are experts in personal injury cases, including catastrophic car accidents, and we have a proven track record. Contact us today for a free consultation.