Take a minute and imagine life after a car accident. You might be thinking about standing on the side of the road, waiting for police; notifying your insurance company and wading through all the necessary paperwork; spending several weeks, months or longer dealing with residual back and neck pain.
Yes, all of these things can and often do warrant consideration after a crash. However, there are some additional challenges that arise which people may fail to recognize right away. For instance, after a serious car accident:
- You may not be able to work. Your injuries can be extensive and prohibit you from doing any type of work. Depending on your job and the benefits that are or are not available, being unable to work for several days or weeks can ultimately leave you without insurance, without a paycheck, and without a job to which you can eventually return.
- You may not have a car. Even your car can be fixed, those repairs take time. Without a car, you may not be able to drive to work, pick up your kids or get to your doctor’s appointment without help from your loved ones. In many cases, you can rent a car, but be sure you understand if insurance covers those costs or not.
- You may not feel like yourself: Accident victims can suffer serious emotional damages that last long after a crash scene is cleared. Victims can be depressed, anxious or experience mood disorders as a result of the trauma. This can be even more likely if a person has suffered a brain injury.
These are just a few considerable challenges people must cope with after an accident that may come as something of a surprise. Because you may not expect these and other extensive damages after a crash, you may not recognize the value of a legal claim right away.
However, once you realize just how much of your life has been upset by an accident, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible to explore your legal options for compensation. Again, you may not truly understand just how much an accident can cost you until you get some legal perspective and guidance.