Serious car accident injuries can cause uncertainty and put a strain on your life. Pennsylvania statute 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 1702 defines a serious bodily injury as “an injury resulting in death, serious impairment of a bodily function, or permanent disfigurement.
Understanding what constitutes a serious injury is crucial because of Pennsylvania’s no-fault laws. Typically, an injured party must pursue compensation for their injuries under their own insurance. However, a serious injury may entitle you to seek damages from the liable party. A Philadelphia car accident lawyer can help you determine what compensation you can receive and your path to financial recovery.
Pursuing Pain and Suffering Damages in Pennsylvania
Oftentimes, fighting the insurance company after a car accident is one of the most challenging tasks for pursuing compensation. Unlike economic damages which are based on actual financial losses, pain and suffering damages are much more difficult to calculate. Insurers use various methods to calculate these non-economic losses.
Your lawyer will need to show how the injury has affected your daily activities and the extent of your symptoms. Working with an experienced attorney not only protects your car accident rights, but they can utilize their skills and experience to fight for just compensation.
Common Examples of Severe Car Accident Injuries
From whiplash, to bumps and bruises, or serious brain injuries, another person’s negligence can lead to a wide range of motor vehicle accident injuries. Understanding what may be considered serious bodily injury is crucial for recovering fair compensation.
While the extent of the injury and its impact on your life is a major factor, some common examples of severe car crash injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Loss of limb and amputation
- Permanent scarring
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Permanent impairment
- Severe lacerations
- First-, second-, or third-degree burns
- Paralysis
- Death
Life can change in an instant after a car accident injury. If you were severely hurt in an auto accident, you should consider seeking legal guidance for your insurance claims.
Types of Compensation in a Serious Car Accident
Economic losses, non-economic losses, and punitive damages may be recoverable following a car accident. Different types of harm are covered by each of these categories. The amount of compensation will be determined by car accident damage
- Economic Damages: You can recoup your actual financial losses incurred because of the accident. For instance, you can recover lost wages after a car accident, medical expenses, and cost to repair your vehicle.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are non-financial losses like emotional trauma, pain and suffering, or disfigurement.
- Punitive Damages: Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are awarded only if a court finds that the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious.
Sustaining injuries in a car accident can be devastating. Understanding what damages are available and how to pursue claims for your severe injuries is critical.
Why Do Serious Injury Accidents Occur?
Typically, a major car accident is the cause of serious injury. However, even a low-impact car accident can have devastating results. Severe car accident injuries can occur for any number of reasons. Some common reasons this harm occurs include:
- Trauma from airbags
- Broken glass
- Being pinned and crushed
- Force of the crash
- Body hitting asphalt
Distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, head-on collisions, and rollovers are notorious causes of some of the worst car accident injuries.
Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident
If you’ve sustained injuries from a car accident, a personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. can help. Our dedicated team of compassionate attorneys have helped numerous clients secure compensation. We fight for our clients, advocating for a just and fair settlement.
Contact us now for a free consultation. Our dedicated car accident attorney is ready to assist you.