Many repercussions of a car accident can be seen - and felt – immediately. Dented melted and fractured bones may be painful to recover from, but other consequences could be more damaging in the end. Lingering injuries or financial issues could trouble any of the involved parties for months or years to come. According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, in recent years, it is estimated that there are over 500 traffic crashes occur a day in Florida alone. But what are the common consequences of all of these accidents?
Common Physical Injuries in a Car Accident
Bodily harm from a collision is tragic, no matter how slight or severe. No one intends to hurt someone or themselves when they set out on the road, and yet it does happen quite often. Some of the most common physical injuries people sustain in car accidents include:
- Minor cuts and bruises: Either from shattered glass or loose objects in the car itself, it is considered lucky if no one in an accident has any minor cuts or bruises.
- Neck injury: Many people report feeling side effects of whiplash after a car accident. Even low-speed fender-benders can result in whiplash and other neck injuries.
- Head injury: As a highly sensitive organ, the brain may sustain injury from the trauma a sudden stop causes. If you suspect you may have suffered a head injury from a collision, please seek medical attention immediately.
- Chest bruising: There is very little room to move your chest as you are driving a vehicle. The result of this limited movement is that people often suffer bruising from the steering column, or even the belt buckle, during a car accident.
Financial Consequences of a Car Collision
If you have been in a car accident, you also need to worry about the impact it may have on your wallet. People involved in a crash that did not cause any physical injury should still prepare to cover numerous costs and expenses, including, but not limited to:
- Actual damages: Depending on the circumstances of the accident, insurance providers may only pay for actual damages caused. Also, if your car is totaled, you may only be offered an amount equal to what the car "was worth" before the accident; this is often less than what policyholders expect it to be.
- Insurance hikes: Even minor collisions look like a major mistake to insurance providers, as they now have reason to doubt your driving capabilities. If you have been in a harmless accident, it could still increase your monthly insurance payments.
- Punitive and nominal damages: If it is deemed that the accident was caused by your recklessness or negligence, you may have to pay punitive and nominal damages to other parties involved. An experienced car accident attorney may be able to defend you from such claims.
With more than 45 years of collective experience, the professional team at Cope, Zebro & Crawford, P.L. can fight for you when you need it most. Shield yourself from the common consequences of a car accident. Call us today for a free consultation.