Even the best drivers on the road incur some risk when getting behind the wheel. Although you may be able to drive very well and avoid most dangerous situations, you can’t control how other people drive. Sadly, distracted driving and exhausted driving are both very common. People can easily lose focus while driving, choosing to talk on a phone, apply makeup, eat, send texts or scroll through social media instead of looking at the road. Even if this is done while stopped at an intersection, these behaviors increase the risk of a serious accident. Someone else’s mistake could end up changing your life.
Getting into a car accident caused by someone else is terrifying. You may not even see the collision coming before it happens. In an instant, you go from your daily commute to struggling with serious injuries and unable to work. Other people in your vehicle may also be severely injured or even killed. Through no fault of your own, you’re suddenly looking at a ton of medical bills, as well as lost wages due to missed work and expenses related to repairing or replacing your vehicle. Although you have vehicle insurance, you may find yourself in a difficult financial situation.
Car accidents can cause very serious injuries
Sometimes, car accidents result in minor injuries, like scrapes, cuts and bruises. Other times, the people in the vehicles aren’t so lucky. The greater the speed and the larger the vehicles, the bigger the potential for severe injuries. Broken bones, head and brain injuries, back and spinal injuries and even whiplash can result.
Medical bills for any of these conditions can quickly mount. Broken bones must be set by a doctor. Blunt trauma to the abdomen could require surgery or intensive care. Brain injuries are both expensive to treat and difficult to fully recover from. You may need physical therapy for months.
In cases of broken bones, head injuries, or back/spinal injuries, you may not be able to return to work for some time. If your mobility is permanently impacted by a spinal injury, you may need to change careers and add accessibility features to your home or vehicle.
If you’ve been approached by the other driver’s insurance company with a settlement offer, you may feel tempted to take it because you need financial help. However, you should never sign a contract without carefully reviewing it with an attorney first.
An attorney can protect you after an accident
Working with an attorney who understands Colorado personal injury cases is your best choice after an accident. Your attorney can review settlements to see if they are fair, negotiate with insurance companies and even file a civil suit if necessary to get you the compensation you deserve. You shouldn’t have to handle everything on your own. A lawyer can help you work toward the best possible outcome after a serious accident caused by someone else.
