Fender benders are often thought of as “minor” crashes. However, while this is sometimes true, even relatively low-speed collisions can cause serious injuries in some cases. As Florida injury lawyers, this is a fact we know all too well.
We frequently speak with individuals who suffered serious injuries in fender benders. These injuries can range from whiplash to bone fractures, and they can impact people’s lives in a variety of different ways. However, all of these cases share one thing in common: They leave accident victims facing significant financial losses.
Identifying Hidden Injuries from Fender Benders
In many cases, drivers and passengers who are involved in fender benders suffer what are commonly referred to as “hidden injuries.” These are injuries that, while serious, do not have any visible external effects. While injuries like severe lacerations, bruises and burns are obvious, hidden injuries can go undetected without a timely medical diagnosis.
Some common examples of hidden injuries that can result from even relatively minor car accidents—such as fender benders—include:
- Avulsion, oblique and transverse bone fractures
- Concussions and contusions (bruising of the brain)
- Herniated discs (slipped discs) and other back injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage (including damage to the kidneys, liver and lungs)
- Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains and tears)
- Whiplash (damage to the muscles, tendons and nerves in the neck)
With all of these hidden injuries, car accident victims may or may not experience symptoms immediately—though they will typically begin to experience symptoms over time. Unfortunately, this means that many car accident victims do not seek treatment until their injuries have worsened. This can prolong the recovery process and increase the risk of long-term or permanent complications. It can also substantially increase the lifetime costs of the collision.
Understanding the Total Cost of Hidden Injuries from Fender Benders
If you were injured in a fender bender, it is critical to make sure you understand the costs you are facing. The lifetime financial costs of hidden injuries can be substantial, and they can lead to various “non-financial costs” as well.
Understanding the costs of your hidden injury starts with understanding your medical treatment needs. However, as we discuss below, this truly is just the beginning. Determining your treatment needs (and their costs) will involve:
- Seeking a diagnosis as soon after your fender bender as possible
- Getting any immediate treatment that is necessary
- Understanding the long-term physical implications of your diagnosis
- Understanding the types of treatment and therapy you will need in the future
- Calculating the estimated costs of your future medical care
Diagnosing and treating accident-related injuries can be extremely expensive. However, if you will need additional treatment or therapy (or both) in the future, your future costs could far exceed the costs you incur in the immediate aftermath of your fender bender. When you hire our Florida injury lawyers to represent you, we will work with your doctors to ensure that we know exactly how much financial compensation we need to seek on your behalf.
Along with seeking financial compensation for your medical expenses, we will seek financial compensation for your other costs as well. In a typical case, additional costs associated with a serious hidden injury will include:
- Prescription Medications and Medical Supplies – If you will need to pay for prescription medications or medical supplies out of pocket, these costs will add up over time.
- Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses – Along with prescription medications and medical supplies, accident victims will typically need to incur a variety of other out-of-pocket costs as well.
- Loss of Income – If your injuries from the fender bender prevent you from working, your loss of income can exacerbate the financial consequences of the accident.
- Loss of Benefits – If you are unable to work, you also won’t be able to earn the benefits that come with your employment. If you lose your job, losing your health insurance and other benefits could prove to be very expensive.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity – If you are unable to work for an extended period of time, this could prove to be very expensive as well. Loss of future earning capacity is often among the most significant financial costs associated with serious traumatic injuries.
Then, there are the “non-financial costs” associated with serious traumatic injuries. While these costs won’t directly impact your finances, they will directly impact many other aspects of your daily life. If you have a personal injury claim as a result of your fender bender, these are also costs that our Florida injury lawyers can help you seek to recover.
Making Sure You Understand the Lifetime Costs of Your Injuries
Given the substantial costs associated with hidden injuries, if you were seriously injured in a fender bender, it will be important to make sure you understand the full scope of the losses you are entitled to recover. Since these losses include future out-of-pocket costs and the non-financial impacts of living with a serious traumatic injury, calculating your total losses will require experienced legal representation.
When you hire a lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will initially have two priorities. Your lawyer’s first priority will be to collect the evidence needed to prove that you are entitled to financial compensation for your fender bender. Your lawyer’s second priority will be to determine how much you are entitled to recover. Once you know how much you are entitled to recover, then you can make an informed decision about whether you want to file a claim and fight for the financial compensation you deserve.
Were You Seriously Injured in a Fender Bender?
Were you seriously injured in a fender bender? If so, Florida injury lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and make informed decisions about your next steps.
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