Too often people are injured in car accidents. Whether you are the at-fault party or just in the wrong place at the wrong time the ramifications of these accidents are confusing and difficult to traverse.
Should you find yourself injured in a car accident hiring the top accident attorney Eugene has to offer is crucial to navigating your case. In this article we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions concerning car accidents and the claim process.
What do I do after I’m in a car accident?
Eugene Auto Accident Attorneys – Steps to Take after a Car Accident
Many who are in car accidents are unsure how to respond immediately after. Hiring a Eugene accident attorney is a crucial step. At Veralrud and Fowler we have successfully handled numerous cases involving car and vehicle crashes and would be honored to represent you.
Often our clients come to us wishing they would have known how to respond at the scene of the accident. Below, we have outlined the steps you should take immediately following an accident.
Check Yourself for Injuries After Your Accident
Ankle Injuries
The ankle is a sensitive, complex and vital part of the human body. Ankles bear the combined weight of the body and are essential to walking, running and movement.
A damaged ankle requires time to heal and in that time even the slowest of walking paces can be excruciating. The sudden impact in a car accident will travel through feet that are planted on the car floor and cause damage to the ankle joint.
This is an unfortunately common injury in auto accidents and in extreme cases can require surgery and additional long-term treatments in order to heal. In accidents involving these types of injuries it is vital to have a Eugene personal injury attorney well versed in the car accident claims process.
At Veralrud and Fowler we have years of experience handling personal injury cases and would be honored to go to work for you.
Bulging Disk
A bulging disk is where the cartilage in your spine bulges out on one side or the other of the spinal column. Most often this will occur in the lower back but can in the neck area. When it does occur in the neck it can be extremely painful.
The personal injury lawyer in Eugene Oregon you hire will ensure that you are compensated for all the pain you have suffered from your bulging disk. At Veralrud and Fowler we are familiar with all types of injuries that occur in auto accidents and will fight to see that you are remunerated for all that you have suffered.
Thigh, Hip and Knee Injuries
Accidents that occur head on can result in the steering wheel collapsing down onto the drivers legs with extreme force. Severe front end accidents have the ability to collapse the dash board down onto the driver; essentially pinning their legs in place while causing severe damage. In these types of accidents often thighs, hips and even knees can suffer debilitating damage that can have long term effects.
Often these types of injuries require extensive surgery to correct and have a long and painful healing process. Those who have suffered such injuries will require a qualified Eugene personal injury attorney to ensure that they receive the compensation they are due.
Concussion
Concussions are a form of brain injury that can have quite debilitating side effects in certain cases. Most often you hear of concussions in relation to sports injuries but they can occur as a result of an airbag during a car accident.
In certain situations a person who has received a concussion can also suffer from a condition called Post Concussive Syndrome that has long-term, costly side-effects. Memory loss, fatigue, depression and other psychological symptoms are common in Post Concussive Syndrome.
If you received a concussion from an accident caused by another driver it’s time to hire a Eugene personal injury attorney as your legal representation.
Herniated Disk
A herniated disk, also known as a slipped disk, occurs when the disks in your spine move out of place. Often the nerves pinch and send flaring pain throughout the back and even into the hips and legs.
The force placed upon a person in a car accident is often enough to cause herniated disks and will require treatment from a medical doctor to correct. In extreme cases surgery may be required to correct the injury.
If you have suffered from a herniated disk as the result of a car accident consult with a Eugene personal injury lawyer immediately.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulders have several moving and complex parts that can be gravely injured in a car accident. There are tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bones and soft tissues that make up the shoulder. The force in an accident can cause extreme and painful damage to the shoulder.
The healing process for a shoulder injury can be quite extensive and require extensive medical care. If you have suffered from a shoulder injury in an auto accident seek medical attention immediately and hire a qualified Eugene personal injury lawyer.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the spinal cord and back are some of the most grievous injuries that occur in car accidents. Unfortunately these injuries are common and frequently require long-term treatment and often have some level of permanency.
The spinal cord and column are unable to heal in the same manner a broken arm is. Paralysis can be the result of severe spinal cord injuries. This possibility makes any injury to the spinal cord frightening.
For those that have suffered injuries to their spinal cord in an auto accident it is vital that you hire a successful personal injury lawyer in Eugene Oregon to serve as your advocate.
Torn Rotator Cuffs
Torn rotator cuffs frequently occur in accidents involving side-impact collisions. A tear occurs in the merged section of four major muscles and tendons in the top half of the shoulder joint or rotator cuff. If you have suffered such an injury as the result of an accident consult with a Eugene personal injury attorney that is familiar with the painful severity of rotator cuff injuries.
File a Police Report In Eugene Oregon
A police report serves as official documentation of the accident. You can call your local police department immediately after the accident to have an officer arrive at the scene.
The report will identify who is at fault and outline the logistics of the accident. Make sure to let the officers know of any injuries that you have sustained. This can later be used in the claims process if you are seeking compensation for your injuries.
Gather Information About Your Auto Accident
Check on the other parties involved in the accident. Call 911 if anyone is injured and requires medical attention. After you’ve established that everyone is ok and called for medical care if necessary it’s time to begin gathering information.
Ask the other driver for their contact information including driver’s license number and insurance. If anyone witnessed the accident make sure to get their names and numbers in order to later collect statements from them.
Take Pictures or Your Auto and Accident Scene
Taking pictures will later serve as proof in the claims process. Pictures can help establish the facts of the crash and potentially identify who is at fault. If you have a phone or camera handy begin taking pictures from several angles that show all the damage to both vehicles. Take pictures of any skid marks and of the surrounding area of the crash.
Record Injuries from Your Auto Accident
If you are injured make sure to set a record of your injuries. Write down the information of the doctors that you see and the treatments that you receive. Keep copies of your medical bills and expenses so that you can later be reimbursed in your car accident claim.
Keeping a journal of your recovery is also a necessary step. Record your injuries, pain levels and how they affect your everyday life. This will help establish how much you have suffered and the amount you will be able to receive in pain and suffering.
Hire a Eugene Auto Accident Lawyer
Hiring a Eugene auto accident lawyer is a crucial step. A lawyer will be able to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve. Dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company can be especially difficult and trying. Often they will do all that they can to give you little to know compensation. Having an accident attorney in Eugene to fight for you will level the playing field.
What happens if the other driver is responsible for the accident but does not have auto insurance?
If the other driver was at fault and does not have auto insurance you will need to use the PIP insurance from you provider. PIP, or Personal Injury Protection insurance covers up to $15,000 for medical expense as a result of the accident.
You may also use your UIM insurance. UIM insurance, or underinsured/uninsured motorist insurance covers up to $25,000 and will also be able to aide you in this situation. UIM insurance is specifically designed to cover accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured motorists.
You also have the ability to file a claim against the uninsured party in order to seek compensation. You have several options should you be hit by an uninsured motorist and, at Veralrud and Fowler we highly recommend hiring a Eugene accident attorney to aid you in this process. We can provide you with the best accident attorney Eugene has to offer.
What if I do not have car insurance and the accident was my fault?
Should you be at fault for the accident and you do not have car insurance the other driver has the ability to file a claim against you for any damages they receive. You would have to pay out of pocket and possibly loose some of your assets to cover the loss that the other driver sustained.
Should you find yourself in this position we highly recommend hiring an auto accident attorney in Eugene to represent you. At Veralrud and Fowler we can provide you with the top accident attorney that Eugene has to offer.
If I let someone else drive my car and they were injured in an accident does my insurance cover them?
The answer is yes, they are covered under your car insurance policy. Your PIP insurance will pay for their medical costs. Your UIM insurance will cover their expenses should the other driver be at fault as well as uninsured.
If you were in a car accident that has resulted in your personal injury it is important that you hire the most qualified personal injury attorney Eugene has to offer.
At Veralrud and Fowler we will work vigorously to ensure that you are fairly and justly represented. It is the mission of our accident attorneys in Eugene to take the confusion out of the process and bring you fair compensation.
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