If you were injured in a car accident in Louisiana that was caused by the careless actions of another driver, you may be wondering if your injuries are serious enough to warrant filing a personal injury claim.
What Is a Serious Injury?
There’s no strict legal or medical definition as to what is and isn’t a serious injury. In most cases, a serious injury requires immediate medical treatment; a minor injury usually does not.
A serious injury is generally any injury that results in:
- Severe bleeding
- Severe chest or back pain
- Organ or tissue damage
- Loss of consciousness
- Mental impairment
- Limited mobility
- Paralysis
Serious Injuries That Commonly Result From New Orleans Auto Accident
It’s not unusual for a car accident to result in serious injuries. Some of the most common serious injuries that occur in New Orleans car accidents include:
- Compound bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and back injuries
- Burns
- Disfigurement
- Amputations
- Deep cuts or puncture wounds
The effects of a serious injury can be devastating. A victim may never fully recover from a serious injury. They may require extended hospital stays and ongoing treatment, such as:
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices
- Medication
As a result of their injuries, they may never be able to return to work, or may only be able to take a job that pays less than the one they had before the accident. In addition, victims often experience pain and suffering as a result of their injuries and may no longer be able to engage in the activities they enjoyed before the accident.
A Settlement Should Cover the Total Costs of a Serious Injury
For many car accident victims, the costs of their serious injuries can be overwhelming. Fortunately, they can recover these costs through filing a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
In order to prevail in a personal injury claim, it’s not enough to just be injured in a car accident. You have to be able to prove that:
- The other driver was at least partially responsible for the accident that caused your injuries;
- You suffered injuries as a result of the accident; and
- These injuries were so serious as to result in personal and economic losses for yourself.
It’s important to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer before you settle with the other driver’s insurance company. While the amount they offer may be tempting, it might not cover the total costs of your injuries. An attorney can help you determine the true costs of your injuries, not just the expenses you have to deal with now, but also the ones you can expect down the road. They can also gather the evidence you’ll need to support your case and negotiate on your behalf for a settlement that adequately compensates you for all of your losses.
Take Action to Protect Your Rights After an New Orleans Auto Accident
Under Louisiana law, you have only a limited time in which to file a claim seeking compensation for the damages resulting from your car accident. Now’s the time to take action to protect your rights.
After you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. You need someone who will listen and understand what you are going through, someone with real experience in Louisiana personal injury law who is dedicated to getting results for you.
The New Orleans car accident attorneys at JJC Law are here to protect your rights. We have helped clients in New Orleans and all over Louisiana who have been injured in a wide range of car and big truck accidents obtain the compensation they deserve.
Contact us through our website or call us at (504) 513-8820 to schedule an appointment to discuss your case. Our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means there are no up-front costs if we decide to represent your case, and we don’t collect a fee until after we’ve negotiated a settlement or won your case in court.