A car accident can have severe repercussions, some of which extend beyond the immediate or the obvious. If you have been involved in a car accident, one way that you can reduce the impact that the wreck will have on your future is to hire an experienced Louisiana car accident attorney, who will work hard to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
How Can A Car Accident Change Your Life?
Getting Around Without a Vehicle
If you are involved in a car accident and your car is damaged, it may be out of commission for a few days. If driving your car is something that you rely on every day for commuting to and from work, running errands, etc., this can have a huge impact on your life. What’s worse is if your car is completely totaled, especially if you do not have the funds to purchase a new one.
No More Free Time After A Car Accident
Dealing with the aftermath of an accident is a major time suck. Things that may take up significant amounts of time include seeking treatment for injuries (dozens of doctors’ appointments, hospital visits, trips to the pharmacy, physical therapy sessions, etc.); dealing with an insurance adjuster; gathering evidence; scheduling vehicle repairs; etc.
Costs of Vehicle Repair After An Accident
Getting your vehicle repaired can be costly, totaling hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If insurance is denying the claim, you may be forced to choose between paying for these costs out-of-pocket and possibly suffering financial problems as a result, or not getting your vehicle repaired and therefore being without your primary means of transportation.
Traffic Tickets Resulting From A Car Wreck
When an accident occurs, you have a duty to report the accident to the police. When the police arrive, they will almost always make a quick determination about who did what and who was at fault, and they will hand out a traffic ticket, or tickets, as a result. Traffic tickets may increase your insurance premiums and affect your ability to get certain jobs (driving jobs), in addition to costing you money.
Higher Insurance Premiums After A Car Wreck
One of the most costly things about a car accident is this: If you are found to be at fault for the accident, or even partially at fault, your insurance company is likely to respond by raising your monthly insurance premiums. Over time, even a slight increase in insurance premiums can add up to hundreds of dollars lost. Read more about auto insurance premiums on the website of the Louisiana Department of Insurance.
Emotional Damages Resulting From A Car Accident
Car accidents often do more than just cause financial losses, property damage, or physical injuries. They can cause emotional damages as well. A person who is involved in a car accident may have fears about getting in a car again, may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or may develop other emotional problems, such as depression, due to injuries, financial losses, and more. Emotional damages are more common in accidents where injuries are severe.
Long-Term Physical Injuries From A Car Wreck
The most serious of accidents can cause injuries that are permanent or long-term. Some serious injuries that may not heal with time include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and injuries that lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement, such as burn injuries or amputation injuries.
Short-Term Injuries Following A Car Accident
Although short-term injuries are not as serious as long-term injuries, they can still be extremely painful and cumbersome. Short-term injuries can result in high medical bills, prevent a person from being able to work, and put you out of commission, so to speak, for days, weeks, or even months at a time.
Death of a Loved One Resulting From A Car Wreck
The most tragic thing that can result from a car accidet is wrongful death If you lose a loved one in a car accident, a legal advocate can help you pursue justice on behalf of your loved one. Although this is the last thing that anyone wants to think about, a lawyer may be able to help you to recover the money necessary to provide for your family after a tragedy occurs.
Legal Battles After A Car Accident
If a car accident claim cannot be resolved, a legal battle may ensue. Legal battles are costly, emotional, and time-consuming, and they are something that no one enjoys being involved in. Unfortunately, sometimes legal battles are inevitable in order to recover the money that you deserve.
Missed Work Time Following A Car Wreck
You may have to miss work after a car accident because you are injured, have appointments related to the car accident or injuries, or are emotionally unprepared to return. Missed time from work may jeopardize your employment and result in lost wages, which can place a financial burden on you and your family.
Loss of Ability to Do Everyday Things After A Car Accident
If you are injured, physically or psychologically, your ability to do everyday things, including your hobbies and most-enjoyed activities, may be impaired. In some cases, this impairment may be permanent.
Pain and Suffering Due To A Car Wreck
Most car accident injuries are extremely painful. Being in an accident can leave you in severe pain that can be difficult to cope with, and you may have to turn to prescription pain relievers.
Your Credit Rating Following A Car Wreck
If you are unable to pay bills that result from a car accident, such as medical bills, a lien may be filed against you and the bills may be turned over to a collections agency. In turn, your credit rating may be directly affected, which can affect your financial health.
Quality of Relationships After An Accident
The quality of your relationship with your spouse, your family, your friends, and more may be negatively impacted when you are in a car accident, experience financial troubles, suffer a serious injury, or experience psychological harm.
Have You Been Injured In A Louisiana Car Accident?
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Alexandria office directly at 318.541.8188 to schedule your free consultation.