Vehicle Accident Injuries?

Our Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC Car Accident Lawyers Can Help

Motor vehicle accidents that cause injuries can have effects that range from minor discomfort to life-altering disability. The Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC car accident lawyers at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. know that every accident can affect your life, and they know that car accidents are one of the most common causes of injury in the country. Whether you are the driver or passenger in a car or truck or a pedestrian in the wrong place at the wrong time, an auto accident can have serious and lasting consequences. The types of injuries you can incur in a car accident vary broadly, and they include:

• Whiplash. Whiplash occurs if your head moves backward and forward in rapid succession, which can happen easily in a rear or front collision. The snapping motion can strain or tear muscles and ligaments in the neck, causing pain and immobility. Although whiplash often resolves within a few weeks, it can sometimes cause chronic problems.
• Bruises and scrapes. Impact with the interior of the vehicle, including your seatbelt, airbags, steering wheel and doors, can cause abrasions and bruising. Severe abrasions may require surgery or skin grafts.
• Broken bones. A high impact can break your bones, and a bone break is a very painful experience. Broken bones can take weeks or even months to heal and expose the victim to a risk of infection.
• Brain Injury. If you strike your head against a surface in a car accident, you can incur a brain injury. Some brain injuries are mild and cause headaches, nausea, disorientation or a combination of these for only a short while. Severe brain injuries can cause chronic migraine disorders, personality and mood changes, cognitive impairment and coma.
• Burns. If a vehicle catches fire or explodes during an accident, the passengers risk severe burns. Burns are incredibly painful, and severe burn injury survivors often must endure months of painful treatments, such as debridement, irrigation, plastic surgery and skin grafts. Burn victims may also suffer blindness, decreased mobility, psychological trauma and disfigurement. Severe burns may lead to dangerous infections.
• Amputation. In the right circumstances, a car accident can cause limb amputation by pinning or crushing appendages. Even if the accident does not sever the appendage, doctors may have to amputate it to prevent infection from spreading to the rest of the victim’s body.
• Paralysis. Severe car accidents often cause spinal cord injuries, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis.

An injured person may face months or even years of costly medical treatment, counseling and attendant care. The injured may need home modifications, medical equipment, constant supervision or lifelong hospitalization. Fatal car accidents can traumatize a family and cause serious emotional and financial distress. Insurance can cover some of the expenses, but after you reach your policy limits or if you do not have insurance, you could be out in the cold.

Steps to Take if You Suffer a Vehicle Accident Injury

The most important step after a car wreck is to see a doctor. Your health is more important than finding legal counsel, so make sure you seek treatment right away, even before contacting a lawyer.

If you have the resources, take photographs of the vehicle damage, the auto accident scene and any bruises, scrapes or scars on your body.

Contact your insurance company to make sure you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC insurance companies usually provide benefits to cover medical expenses and lost wages for the person who bought the insurance policy.

If you or a loved one is suffering from car accident injuries or if you have lost a family member to car accident injuries, a competent and experienced Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC car accident attorney can review your case to find out if you may have a cause of action against a negligent party for personal injury or wrongful death. For a free consultation, contact Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis & Lightfoot, L.L.P. as soon as possible.