When to Submit a Personal Injury Claim After a Car Accident

If you have ever been involved in a car accident, you know that even minor accidents can leave you with big pain.  Even if you do not experience immediate symptoms of injury, they may show up after the fact.  So, if you have recently been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be wondering if you should submit a personal injury claim.  When determining whether or not to submit a claim you need to consider a few key factors that will play an important role in your personal injury claim.

First, one of the most important things to consider is whether or not you have medical bills. This can include a myriad of things that fall under the “medical” umbrella.  Were you hospitalized?  Did you have to visit your primary care doctor?  Did you need surgery?  Did you require pain medication?  Did you need to visit a chiropractor?  Did you need to see a physical therapist?  Did you need things like a wheelchair, crutches, or other mobility device?  Did you require transportation to medical treatment because you could not transport yourself? If so, you should not have to pay for those things out of your pocket.  Keep track of all of your medical bills, big or small (yes, even that over-the-counter ibuprofen), because they add up!  It is important to keep track of this because it shows how bad your injury was and strengthens your argument if you are also asking for compensation for lost wages, emotional distress, etc.   Additionally, if care is ongoing, your doctor, therapist or other medical professional can also give their opinion about how extensive your needs will be for ongoing care.

Next, it is important to assess whether or not you have experienced emotional distress, pain or suffering as a result of the accident.  Emotional distress, pain or suffering the day of the accident is common because even minor accidents are scary.  But, many victims of car accidents also experience emotional distress or pain and suffering after the accident.  Depending on the experience, this could go on for days, weeks, months or a lifetime.  Depression, anxiety, fear, and PTSD are very real and can be extremely debilitating.  The only way to overcome them is through counseling and/or medication, both of which are costly.  The emotional distress and/or pain and suffering may impact your life, relationships and ability to work and that matters.  If you experienced emotional distress or pain and suffering after a car accident you deserve to be compensated.  It can be challenging to determine the monetary value of emotional distress so speak to an experienced personal injury attorney who understands how to appropriately present your case.

Finally, have you experienced lost wages as a result of your accident?  Were you unable to work due to the injuries you sustained?  If so, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you properly explain how the injury you got as a result of a car accident that was not your fault has made it impossible for you to work in your occupation so that you can recuperate your lost wages.  After a car accident, be sure to call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible and document anything related to the car accident so that you can present the strongest personal injury claim.