Severe Car Accidents: How to Recover After Devastating Outcomes

Severe car accidents with fatalities and other devastating outcomes are on the rise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) projects that more than 31,000 individuals died in car crashes between January and September of 2021 alone, more than in any year since 2006. Severe car accidents can cause deaths, life-changing physical injuries, and lifelong emotional trauma. Such cases typically require the help of a serious car crash lawyer for the best possible outcome. 

While we cannot turn back the time, Morgan & Morgan could help ease the financial burden for you and your family. We see firsthand the damage and heartbreak serious vehicle accidents cause. Our compassionate car crash attorneys focus on assisting victims with recovering compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and other expenses. If your loved one passed away, we could help you receive what you need to put your life back together financially. 

Let us deal with the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on your recovery. Contact Morgan & Morgan now for a free consultation to determine how we can help.

Types of Serious Car Accidents

While every type of car accident has the potential for fatalities and serious injuries, some accident types are more dangerous than others. 

Head-On Crashes

Head-on collisions are not as frequent as other types of crashes. However, they tend to have devastating consequences, particularly when occurring at high speeds. Head-on accidents frequently result in fatalities and catastrophic injuries. 

Side-Impact Collisions

Side-impact crashes are also called T-bone accidents and primarily occur at intersections. In these collisions, one car typically plows head-first into the side of another. Unlike at the front and back, cars have very little protection on their sides. Therefore, fatal or catastrophic injuries often occur with high-speed side-impact collisions.  

Rollovers

High-profile vehicles, such as vans, trucks, and SUVs are more likely to experience a rollover accident than smaller cars. Rollover accidents can occur in single-car crashes, for example, when a driver tries to avoid an object, car, or person in their path. Since the car flips over in such accidents, occupants can suffer significant and life-altering injuries.

Multiple Vehicle Pile-Ups

A road traffic accident involving several vehicles can be particularly dangerous as cars may get hit multiple times. Moreover, passengers can get trapped in their cars and find it impossible to escape safely, especially when such accidents happen on a high-speed road or highway.

Rear-End Accidents

Many rear-end accidents, particularly in urban areas, are little more than fender benders. However, if a rear-end crash happens at high speed or a small passenger car is rear-ended by a heavy commercial truck, fatalities and serious injuries can occur. 

What Causes the Most Severe Car Crashes?

Most serious vehicle accidents are caused by negligent or dangerous driving behaviors. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), most severe crashes occur due to speeding. In second place behind speeding is driver intoxication as a cause for crashes. Ten percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes were impaired due to medication, alcohol, or drugs. Other reasons for severe accidents can include: 

• Failure to yield the right of way
• Failure to stay in the proper lane 
• Operating a vehicle carelessly 

While most accidents are caused by driver error, some can occur in poor weather conditions, due to poor roads, or from car defects. If you seek compensation after a severe car accident, an attorney from Morgan & Morgan could help to shed light on the cause of the accident and who is responsible. 

Serious Car Crashes Lead to Catastrophic Injuries

Serious car wrecks can lead to permanently disabling injuries. Victims with catastrophic injuries and steep medical expenses often struggle to receive the financial compensation they need. There may not be sufficient insurance coverage for their current and future medical costs. Therefore, working with a serious car crash lawyer can be critical for receiving maximum recovery when another caused your accident and injury. 

What Is a Catastrophic Injury?

A catastrophic injury is loosely defined as a significant injury resulting in long-term medical issues, reduced life expectancy, or disability. Suffering from a catastrophic injury can cause chronic pain and be life-altering in many ways. For example, victims may never be able to return to their careers or could require around-the-clock care for the rest of their lives. Some severe injuries that can qualify as catastrophic include: 

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Loss of limb(s)
• Significant burns
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Internal injuries
• Complicated fractures
• Significant mobility and motion impairments

Working with an experienced and tenacious car accident attorney can be critical in proving your degree of impairment and receiving adequate damages. 

Damages Victims Could Receive

If you or a loved one suffered severe injuries due to the recklessness or negligence of another person, you could be entitled to compensation, including awards for: 

• Past, present, and estimated future medical expenses
• Wage loss and expected future wage losses
• Home health services
• Physical pain and anguish
• Emotional suffering 
• Permanent disfigurement
• Disability
• Reduced life quality

In some rare cases, victims could also receive punitive damages. If a defendant acted particularly egregiously in causing the accident, a court could award punitive damages. 

Morgan & Morgan’s seasoned car accident lawyers can help calculate the value of your claim and fight for full compensation from the insurance company or defendant. 

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Unfortunately, severe car crashes frequently lead to tragic and untimely deaths. If you lost a loved one in a car wreck, our compassionate attorneys can offer legal guidance during this most difficult time. Although no amount of compensation can heal your grief or bring back your loved one, financial awards can help you get back on your feet and provide some security for the future. 

Survivors Could Receive Damages

Nobody who lost a loved one due to another’s negligent or wrongful conduct should have to struggle financially as a result. Steep medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of income from the decedent can cause great struggle and worry. However, if another caused the accident, you could qualify for compensation such as:

• Medical bills before your loved one passed away
• Loss of companionship
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of services and assistance from the deceased 
• Mental anguish
• Loss of the deceased’s wages and benefits 

Bereavement can severely impact your work and home life and cause you to miss work or experience mental health issues. Morgan & Morgan understands that you may not feel like fighting a lawsuit during this upsetting time. We can take care of all the legal aspects so you have time to heal.

How a Morgan & Morgan Car Crash Lawyer Can Help

If you suffered extensive injuries in a collision or a loved one died in an accident, and you want to recover adequate compensation, consider consulting with us as soon as possible. Going it alone may not only prove stressful and overwhelming but could also lead to losing out on the compensation you deserve. Our car accident lawyers can handle all aspects of your case, including:

Gather Evidence to Prove Your Claim

You may be sure that the other driver caused the accident. However, to have a case and receive compensation, you will have to prove the other person’s fault with comprehensive evidence. An attorney can gather the relevant accident reports, collect witness statements, organize the evidence, and build a case against another driver.

Calculate and Prove Your Damages

Proving damages such as pain and anguish or loss of life quality can be tricky. Yet, if you suffered catastrophic injuries or a loved one died in an accident, such damages could make up a large proportion of your settlement. Knowing how to calculate non-economic damages can be critical for obtaining what you and your family deserve. Our lawyers can liaise with your medical providers to prove our injuries, expenses, and suffering.

Negotiate With Insurance Companies

Communicating with the other party’s insurer should be handled by an experienced car accident attorney who can protect you from any attempts to minimize your claim. It is important to remember that insurance companies have their own best interests at heart rather than yours. Do not agree to give recorded statements or get involved in discussions with adjusters. Our car accident attorneys can handle all communication and negotiation and will fight hard for what you deserve. 

Provide the Best Possible Legal Representation

Having a lawyer by your side is not only of practical help but can also signal to the insurance company and the at-fault party that you are serious about getting justice. If your injuries and financial losses are considerable, having professional and dedicated legal representation in your corner puts your mind at ease and can aid your recovery. A determined attorney will handle all legal aspects of your case with your best interests at heart. They know what your case is worth and can fight for maximum possible recovery so you can start with rebuilding your life.

Who Pays for My Medical Bills After a Serious Car Accident?

If you suffered severe or life-changing injuries in a car crash, your medical expenses could be astronomical. We understand how frustrating it can be when someone else causes your accident and the settlement is taking a long time. Unfortunately, it could be weeks, months, or even longer before you receive your due. However, you could have various options for bridging the time until the settlement check comes through, including: 

• Your private health insurance 
• Medicaid or Medicare
• Your own car insurance policy
• Asking medical providers to defer payments

When you finally receive your check, whoever paid for your medical bills will be entitled to reimbursement. Our attorneys could help negotiate with insurers so you do not pay more than necessary. 

What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?

Determining the value of a car accident case can be tricky, especially when severe injuries or disabilities are involved. The worth of your case can depend on various factors, including but not limited to: 

• Your medical costs
• Estimated future healthcare expenses
• The scope of your injuries
• Whether you will be unable to work
• The effect of your injury on your life quality
• Your physical and emotional pain and suffering
• The at-fault party’s insurance coverage

Our car accident lawyers could provide you with a ballpark figure after assessing your case.

How Do I Find a Good Serious Car Crash Lawyer? 

Finding the right attorney can seem complicated, but it does not have to be. The main points to look for in your prospective attorney are experience in handling serious car crashes and a successful track record. Other helpful tips for finding the right lawyer include: 

• Schedule free consultations with potential attorneys
• Make sure they work on a “no-win-no-fee” basis
• Choose an attorney who seems genuine and interested in helping you 

Morgan & Morgan’s attorneys are experienced in handling severe car accident cases involving significant injuries and fatalities. We do not charge you a dime unless you win the case and receive compensation. Importantly, we understand what you are going through and want to give you the best shot at getting what you deserve.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?

All personal injury lawsuits, including car accident cases, have to be filed within the statute of limitations in your state. The timeframe available will vary but can be as short as one year or as long as four years and more, depending on where you live. The time starts ticking on the day of your accident. Therefore, getting timely legal advice after an accident can be critical for preserving your legal rights.

Morgan & Morgan Wants You to Win 

If you need help after a devastating car accident, you can put your trust in Morgan & Morgan. You do not have to struggle with a claim or lawsuit on your own. Our determined and experienced attorneys have been fighting for car accident victims since 1988. Over the years, we have recovered more than $20 billion in damages and could help you get what you deserve too. 

Do not waste your time arguing over every dollar with an insurance company. If we take your case, you will have the support of a legal team, attorneys, investigators, and medical experts; all motivated to help you receive fair compensation and a secure future. Contact us now for a free, no-obligation consultation to find out how we could help you get justice.