Serious Car Accidents Can Cause Serious Pain
Serious car accidents can result in permanent and painful injuries that can require long-term care and medical treatments. Although car accidents usually strike in an instant, the injuries and chronic pain resulting from these accidents have the potential to last a lifetime. If you or someone you love suffered serious and painful injuries in a St. Petersburg car accident, you need legal counsel on your side representing you every step of the way.
The St. Petersburg car accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA can evaluate the facts and circumstances of your car accident case, negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and help you obtain the monetary compensation for your pain and injuries that you need.
Types and Causes of Florida Car Accidents
Florida drivers cause serious car accidents through negligent, reckless, or distracted driving. In many cases, rear-end car accidents occur at traffic intersections when drivers simply do not pay attention to what is in front of them. Other common types of car accidents include head-on collisions and side-impact collisions. All of these accidents can result in serious, painful injuries—some of which are permanent in nature. Common causes of St. Petersburg car accidents include:
- Speeding
- Texting or cell phone use
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
- Disregarding traffic signs and traffic control devices
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles
- Cutting curves too sharply
- Fatigued driving
- Failing to use turn signals
- Quick lane changes
- Driving too fast for existing weather conditions
For an injured car accident victim to prove that another driver's negligence caused an accident, the accident victim must show that the other driver violated the duty of reasonable care (that is, to drive in a reasonable and prudent manner under the circumstances)—and that this violation caused the accident. Moreover, the accident victim must show that the accident (and not some other cause) directly resulted in pain, symptoms, injuries, and damages. In some cases, the accident victim may allege that the car accident worsened a preexisting medical condition, injury, or pain level.
Soft Tissue Injuries and Damages
Soft tissue injuries—such as sprains or strains to the neck or back— do not require invasive medical treatments or surgeries.
Although soft tissue injuries do not involve broken bones, they can cause debilitating pain. In some cases, soft tissue injury treatments may require long periods of physical or occupational therapy, injections, and pain management. In most cases, however, insurance companies will try to underplay the significance of soft tissue injuries and will deny their seriousness. In other cases, the insurance company may allege that the accident victim over-treated or unnecessarily treated injuries. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will retain the necessary medical experts to combat the insurance company's approach and help maximize the value of your personal injury case.
Catastrophic Injuries in Car Accidents
Serious and painful catastrophic injuries can result from high speed side-impact or head-on collisions. Common catastrophic injuries sustained in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Cuts and abrasions
- Permanent scarring
- Death
Catastrophic injuries can result in lengthy hospital stays, long courses of medical treatments or physical therapy, future medical procedures, or long-term care at nursing homes or other assisted living facilities. Florida law allows for compensation for all of these damages.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Painful soft tissue injuries and catastrophic injuries can make a serious impact on an accident victim's ability to live and work. For example, in some cases, injured accident victims must work at lighter duty jobs—or change professions altogether—because they can no longer meet their jobs' physical demands. Likewise, injuries may prevent accident victims from engaging in sports or recreational activities, or spending time with family to the same extent as before their accidents. Victims are entitled to full compensation for all of their permanent pain, suffering, inconvenience, and lost quality of life associated with accident injuries and damages.
Proving Pain and Suffering Damages in Florida
When it comes to pain and suffering damages, skeptical insurance companies and their adjusters may argue that no objective findings support an accident victim's claimed pain levels or that the accident victim is “faking it.” Insurance company adjusters will look for any excuse to downplay the severity of a plaintiff's personal injuries and complaints, claiming they actually stem from:
- Prior medical procedures
- Preexisting illnesses and injuries
- Degeneration found on imaging studies, such as X-rays and MRIs
- Prior on-the-job injuries and damages
The car accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA may introduce the medical testimony of a doctor or other health care provider to show the accident caused your chronic injuries and pain levels. A medical expert can also speak to the need for future medical care and treatments, as well as future physical or mental limitations, if applicable.
Contact a St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation
Serious car accidents can result in long-term injuries and chronic pain and suffering. The car accident lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA can advocate for you during settlement negotiations and, if necessary, in the courtroom. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with a St. Petersburg car accident lawyer, please call us at (727) 472-3909 or contact us online.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 1663 1st Ave S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712 (727) 472-3909 https://www.dolmanlaw.com/st-petersburg-personal-injury-attorney/