No one really thinks about how badly their lives can be impacted by an accident – until they’re actually in one. When you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, it would seem like an open and closed deal. You file an insurance claim, get compensated, recover from your injuries, and move on. Quite the contrary, it’s not always that simple. In fact, being in a serious accident can have a negative impact that trickles down to all areas of your life.You Need Legal HelpUnless you’re dealing with a few scrapes and scratches or a minor fender bender, you’re going to need legal help. When significant injuries and property damage are at the center of an accident, insurance companies go into defense mode with the hopes of not having to make a payment (or making the smallest offer they can).They may use their own lawyers, investigators, and other resources to try to negate the validity of your claim leaving you on your own to fight bigwigs. Having a personal injury attorney like Steven Schwartzapfel on your side ensures that your rights aren’t violated and that you get fair compensation for something that wasn’t your fault. An experienced attorney will review your case and the details supporting it to determine the best course of action. If you’re entitled to compensation, they’ll work diligently to make sure the guilty parties pay.What could you possibly seek compensation for? Here is a look at how much a personal injury can impact your life.
HospitalizationIf you’ve been seriously injured in an accident a trip to the hospital is a must. After a series of tests and examinations, a doctor will make a determination on what the next steps should be. If they are severe enough, you could be stuck in the hospital for the next few weeks or months. Imagine how much you’re going to be billed during that stay.Miss WorkSome injuries can even threaten your employment. If you’re unable to perform your duties at work, you’ll have no choice but to take some time off. This could mean exhausting all your sick and vacation time and taking a specialized leave. If your recovery process will take a while or your injuries are permanent you may lose your job altogether.Financial TroubleYou’re out of work which means you no longer have a regular source of income to cover your bills. On top of that, you have medical bills that are constantly coming in. Though you can apply for disability insurance, it isn’t your full paycheck. Eventually, this can lead to financial trouble – especially if you were the sole income earner or breadwinner in your household.Long-Term CareMost serious injuries take weeks to recover from and may even require you to receive treatment from other medical providers. You may need to see a neurologist, chiropractor, or physical therapist to maintain your recovery efforts. Not only is this time-consuming, but it will cost more money.Emotional DistressAccidents are traumatic events. Whether you slipped and fell or were hit in a car crash, it can have a lasting impact on you emotionally. Not to mention, the other stresses you’re dealing with like being out of work, having financial trouble, growing medical bills, and long-term treatment, it can lead to anxiety, depression, or chronic stress. All of which would require the services of a therapist.Altered LifestyleIf your injuries left you permanently disabled it essentially alters your quality of life. If you’re wheelchair bound, the fact that you can’t walk or run can be life-altering. If you’re a parent, your disabilities might keep you from being there for your children as you once were. If you were a truck driver but suffered severe injuries, you may never be able to return to that line of work. As you can see, the disabilities can change your life forever and that has no price tag.It can be common to assume that if you’re in an accident all you have to do is file a claim and wait for the check to come in. As you can see from above, it isn’t always that easy. Even if insurance companies are willing to cooperate it can take time for them to issue a settlement offer, and in some cases, the amount they offer isn’t anywhere near enough to cover all that you could possibly go through. There are ways to get by while recovering, but as a result of the extremes this personal injury can have on your life and the lives of those closest to you, it is recommended that you hire an attorney.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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