Sadly, in today’s modern world, being involved in a motor vehicle accident is a virtual certainty. Vehicle crashes cause immediate mayhem and typically leave indelible stains on everyone involved. Although the direct fallout after a traffic collision can seem scary and overwhelming, it is critical to realize that the ramifications could potentially reach far beyond the initial shock. Traffic accidents are capable of producing severe injuries that can last a lifetime.
Car accidents often take a heavy financial and emotional toll. In Virginia, the usual way of securing financial compensation for this lasting harm is by bringing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Many victims do not know that compensation for a Virginia Beach car accident can remunerate them for more than their current medical bills. It should also take into account any projected future losses along with subjective, non-monetary damages like pain and suffering. After being involved in a Virginia Beach car accident, you should always go to the closest hospital emergency room, even if you think you were not injured. Following that, contact the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential claim.
Physical Injuries From Car Accidents
Whiplash
The most common injury caused by traffic collisions is whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of the upper spine and neck. Even seemingly inconsequential accidents can result in this long-lasting and painful condition, which is accompanied by symptoms including neck stiffness, headaches, and pain. Many people think of whiplash as being a transient injury, but the effects can last for months, or sometimes even years, and impact your well-being and your day-to-day life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A primary cause of traumatic brain injuries, from minor concussions to serious, life-changing conditions, is car accidents. TBIs can manifest as changes in behavior, cognitive impairments, and memory loss. Its long-term impacts can disrupt a victim’s ability to complete daily tasks, maintain relationships, and hold a job. TBIs often necessitate ongoing support and rehabilitation.
Injuries to the Spinal Cord
Severe motor vehicle accidents can cause life-changing injuries if the spinal cord is damaged. Spinal cord injuries can result in total or partial paralysis, and hinder organ function, sensation, and mobility. The abiding care and physical rehabilitation required for victims with spinal cord damage pose significant financial, emotional, and physical obstacles.
Psychological Impact of Car Accidents and Injuries
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The emotional damage experienced after a traffic accident can do just as much to undermine your daily life as physical injuries themselves. It is not uncommon for victims to develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) after a traumatic collision. Increased anxiety, nightmares, and flashbacks can endure long after the incident, and substantially impact their capacity for normal function and their quality of life.
Depression and Anxiety
Even in the absence of an official PTSD diagnosis, traffic accidents can trigger depression and anxiety. The fear of being involved in another accident or operating a vehicle can cause ongoing panic attacks and a constant feeling of trepidation. Dealing with the consequences of a car accident sometimes requires mental health support, since untreated emotional problems can hinder recovery and worsen physical symptoms.
Financial Pressures Caused by Car Accidents
Medical Expenses
The economic backlash of a serious accident can be absolutely immense. Immediate hospital bills for necessities such as surgeries, emergency room fees, and physical rehabilitation, can accumulate quickly. For those who do not have medical insurance, these expenses can result in monetary dire straights and long-term debt.
Lost Wages
Car accident injuries often force victims to miss time at work. This absence of a steady income can be a considerable disadvantage, particularly for people without ample sick leave or disability insurance. The lasting influence that car accident injuries can have on someone’s earning potential and career can be significant and affect their economic stability for years into the future.
Legal Costs and Property Damage
Outside of serious physical and psychological injuries, traffic collisions also bring about property damage as well as legal expenses. Replacing or repairing vehicles, handling insurance claims, and facing potential lawsuits can pile on an added layer of stress. Settlement negotiations can be lengthy and compound the amount of overall pressure placed on the affected parties.
Disability and Chronic Pain
Even injuries that seem fairly minor can cause issues such as long-term disability and chronic pain. Ailments, like nerve damage, joint dysfunction, and chronic back pain can carry on for years and require continuing medical care and rehabilitation. The impact of disability and chronic pain on someone’s day-to-day life can be extreme, impeding employment opportunities, restricting mobility, and reducing overall quality of life.
All We Do Is Injury Law
The Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have more than seven decades of combined experience helping clients injured through no fault of their own gather strong evidence and build compelling cases for substantial financial recoveries. As one example, we successfully secured a $1 million settlement for the daughter of a woman who was struck and killed by a negligent driver as she rode her bicycle home from work.
If you were injured in a car accident in Virginia Beach or the surrounding area, contact the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to find out what forms of legal redress are open to you. The Virginia statute of limitations on personal injury claims, including motor vehicle accident claims, expires on the second anniversary of your accident, so don’t delay. We can be reached at (833) 997-1774 to schedule a free legal consultation or via our contact form. Our offices are located in Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, and Norfolk.