How Do Permanent Injuries Affect a Car Accident Claim?

Jul 02,2018

Being hurt in a car accident can have a serious impact on your life—sometimes for weeks or months, or even years. In the worst cases, your injuries could affect you for life. Unfortunately, there are around 6 million car accidents every year. It might come as a surprise to hear that roughly 2 million drivers suffer permanent injuries in car accidents each year.

Often these car accidents are no fault of the party who has been permanently injured. Regardless of fault, the victim must now adjust to a life that is drastically different than it was before the accident.

When is an Injury Considered Permanent?

An injury that impairs the physical or mental ability of a person to perform normal activities from the remainder of his or her life is considered to be a permanent disability. This includes both work-related functions and activities not related to work.

How Does a Permanent Injury Affect a Personal Injury Claim?

Someone who recovers from an injury can usually file a claim and reach a settlement with the insurance company once treatment for the injury is complete. There are cut-and-dry costs associated with this type of injury. However, permanent injuries are usually associated with more extensive damages. This might include multiple types of treatment, prescription medications, hospital stays, physical therapy and more. And that is just the medical side of the equation. Permanent injuries also result in a myriad of other damages. If the victim is no longer able to work the job they had before the accident, they may need to seek training for a different career, or accept a position that pays less. In some cases, they might not be able to work at all anymore. The victim might also be unable to participate in activities he or she once enjoyed, resulting in general damages like pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment.

Because many of these damages have ongoing costs associated with them, calculating settlements for victims with permanent injuries can be challenging. If you have been permanently injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should seek the help of a personal injury attorney to pursue your claim.

“Permanent disabilities resulting from an accident have a profound effect on victims and their loved ones. If you have suffered a permanent injury, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you obtain the compensation you deserve,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.