A car accident can occur in a split second. However, determining the ultimate impact of an accident might take considerably longer, especially if you or a loved one was injured. The long-term consequences of a car collision can be far-reaching and profound. Injuries can cause mental and physiological suffering in addition to physical challenges.
If you were injured in a car accident and reside in or around Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Lake Wylie, South Carolina, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Our car accident attorneys at Elrod Pope Law Firm will look into your claim and assist you in pursuing the compensation you are entitled to. We will consider your injury’s current and future impacts to fight for the highest possible compensation. Contact us today to discuss your claim.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Car Accident?
The following are some of the long-term consequences of car accidents:
Physical effects
Car accidents may cause a wide range of physical damage to any body part. Long-term physical injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Amputation
- Soft tissue injuries
- Paralysis
TBIs and other brain injuries sustained in a car accident can have serious consequences for the person. These injuries can impair memory, coordination, and other abilities.
Whiplash, strains, and sprains are soft tissue injuries affecting the tissue surrounding and linking tendons, muscles, and ligaments. These injuries might result in long-term problems, including persistent discomfort and difficulties moving. Whiplash injuries can affect long-term memory and cognitive function.
Emotional and psychological effects
Not every injury sustained in a vehicle collision is visible. Emotional and psychological injuries, for example, cannot be visible yet can have far-reaching consequences on a victim’s life.
Even in the absence of serious physical injuries, the emotional pain that an accident causes its victims can have long-lasting ramifications.
Emotional injuries sustained as a result of an automobile accident may include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Fear
- Appetite loss
Psychological injuries might potentially have long-term consequences for automobile accident victims. Psychological damage might include pathophysiological changes in the brain and central nervous system (typically a result of TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stress-induced chronic pain, or other conditions.
Psychological injuries can result in disabilities that interfere with leisure activities, work performance, and family life. Even though these injuries are not visible, they tremendously influence the victim’s life.
Financial effects
Car accidents can have severe financial implications. The victims may lose their source of income if they cannot work, in addition to the cost of medical bills and damage to property. This can soon put the person in debt. If the victim is temporarily or permanently incapacitated, they may not be able to return to work and fulfill all of their prior job obligations. Again, this restriction may result in a significant decrease in household income.
While most people expect financial losses due to vehicle accidents, they are often startled by how many expenditures they incur. A qualified vehicle accident lawyer can examine your past, present, and future financial costs while determining the value of your case.
Car Accident Damage Compensation
A personal injury claim seeks to compensate the plaintiff to make them “whole” again following an accident. This indicates that the defendant must compensate the plaintiff for their losses. Depending on the severity of your recent vehicle accident, you may be eligible for a variety of compensation, including:
- Medical costs, both current and future
- Lost income
- Damage to property
- Pain and suffering
You may be entitled to further compensation in addition to these damages based on the nature of the negligence involved. In some situations, a plaintiff may be awarded punitive damages if the defendant was egregiously negligent or purposefully reckless, resulting in an accident.
If the defendant was engaged in any unlawful behavior at the time of your accident, such as driving while under the influence or escaping the police after committing another offense, you might be entitled to reimbursement from the court hearing their criminal case.
Get Help From an Experienced a South Carolina Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered significant injuries in a car accident, you should consult with an attorney as quickly as possible. A lawyer will assess how your injuries may affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally to secure adequate compensation on your behalf.
The auto accident attorneys at Elrod Pope Law Firm have the expertise and resources required to assist in making the responsible party liable for your damages. Our legal team will investigate the accident extensively to identify all responsible parties. Then we’ll review your medical information and consult your doctors about your long-term outlook. Finally, we will assess the merits of your case and fight for you and your family to obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today to set up a free consultation.
Long-Term Effects of a Car Accident FAQs
How can a vehicle accident affect your life?
Car accidents may turn your life upside down. The worst consequences of a vehicle accident might include losing access to transportation, being unable to work, and suffering serious injuries that need prolonged, expensive medical care.
What are the most prevalent types of injuries in vehicle accidents?
Most vehicle accident injuries fall into two categories: impact and penetrating injuries. Impact injuries are often produced when a person’s body collides with a section of the car’s interior. Cuts and scratches caused by shattered glass or loose items flying into the automobile are examples of penetrating injuries.
