New York Chevrolet Car Accident
When the car accident is a head-on, sideswipe or rear-end collision, the moments following a New York Chevrolet car accident can be frightening, particularly if you suffered a serious injury or if a loved one is seriously injured. Car accidents often involve traveling at high-speeds. This means that the impact when two vehicles collide is substantial. Victims are thrown about the inside of the car even if seatbelts are worn. Many times they are ejected from the vehicle landing head first. The outcome is often devastating. Some victims experience brain injuries that can lead to dementia, chronic migraines, memory loss, and cognitive problems. Others suffer back injuries and injuries to the spinal cord that lead to lifelong back pain making it difficult to walk, lift items or sleep comfortably. With the most severe spinal cord injuries the victim is left paralyzed. This means that in addition to suffering physically from months of excruciating treatments without the ability to work, the victim’s financial situation is in shambles. While it may be difficult to look past your injuries, this is the time to take legal action against the person whose negligence caused the accident. As an experienced attorney will explain, if you suffered a serious injury in a car accident time is of the essence. Immediately contact a New York car accident lawyer who will work closely with you to ensure that the negligent party is held accountable for his or her negligence.
Common car accident injuriesAccording to the Centers for Disease Control in 2012 over 2.5 million people in the United States went to the emergency room due to injuries suffered in New York Chevrolet car accidents. Such injuries are often quite severe. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury: A traumatic brain injury is a common injury in a head-on collision. It is quite serious and can require months and even years. Symptoms such as severe headaches, fatigue, anxiety and cognitive inefficiencies to linger, requiring regular adjustments in medication along with cognitive rehabilitation and other types of therapy .
- Broken bones. Broken bones are common to car accident victims. The impact from the collision can cause legs, arms, wrists, feet, ankles, ribs, face and ribs to shatter. Even though the femur is one of the strongest bones in the bone, it is not uncommon for it to fracture in a car accident. A femur injury may require surgical stabilization, pain medication and physical therapy to improve range of motion.
- Internal bleeding. Internal bleeding following an auto accident is one of the most dangerous types of injuries. It is dangerous because sometimes there are few external symptoms. If severe internal bleeding goes untreated because the external symptoms are minimal, the victim could die. Symptoms may include lightheadedness, purpling of the skin, bloating, swelling and loss of consciousness. In some cases there may be little external evidence of such an injury. If the internal bleeding is severe, surgery will be required to stop it.
If you were injured in a car accident because another person was negligent, there is something you can do about it. As an experienced attorney will explain, you have the legal right to file a claim against the negligent party and demand compensation for your losses. The types of compensation to which you may be entitled includes:
- Medical expenses: For a serious injury such as a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury the medical expenses could be astronomical. A brain injury victim may require years of treatment to address cognitive impairment and migraines. In the case of a victim who has a severe spinal cord injury, the result may be permanent paralysis. This would mean that the victim would need lifelong care. Through a personal injury claim victims can seek compensation for both past medical expenses and future medical expenses. Typically medical expenses include expenses related to the ambulance, emergency room, hospital, doctors, chiropractors, lab, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and medical equipment.
- Lost wages: Another type of loss compensable in a personal injury case is lost wages. Lost wages means more than paychecks that you missed because you were recovering from your injuries. You can also demand that the negligent party pay you for compensation you lost. For example, if you had to use accumulated sick or vacation days while you were out recovering, you may demand compensation for the value of those days. Similarly, if you were on track for a bonus, then you could also demand compensation for that missed bonus.
- Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering refers to not only physical pain, but also emotional suffering. This type of damages is referred to as a “non-economic” loss. It is not an out-of-pocket expense for which you will receive a bill. The law allows victims to seek this type of compensation because if it had not been for the defendant’s negligence, then the victim would not have to suffer this pain and suffering. Thus, it is a compensable loss.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions that caused the accident were so egregious that it is determined that he or she should be punished for that behavior.
All too often victims who suffer serious injuries in car accidents lose their jobs and careers, have a poor quality of life, and face difficulties in their relationships with family and friends. A serious accident can also cause financial devastation from mounting medical bills coupled with a decrease in income. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates are experienced in handling personal injury cases stemming from auto, truck, motorcycle, boat, and construction accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We serve individuals hurt in car accidents in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.