Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are injured in auto accidents each year. Some of these injuries are relatively minor, but many common injuries in car accidents are serious or even catastrophic. For instance, a driver hurt in a rear-end collision could suffer a herniated cervical disc or other neck injury that could lead to paralysis. Each accident victim deserves fair compensation, but this is less likely to happen if he or she does not retain a seasoned legal advocate who will stand up for his or her rights in court. At Siegel & Siegel, P.C., our Middlesex County car accident lawyers have many years of experience representing people injured in Middlesex and Mercer Counties in their quest for appropriate financial assistance following a crash caused by a negligent motorist.

Medical expenses from injuries suffered in a crash, such as a failure-to-yield accident, can be staggering. An injured individual may need medical care not just in the days and weeks after the accident but also sometimes for the rest of his or her life. The costs of an emergency room visit or hospital stay, prescription medications, physical therapy, and other care can be overwhelming. Lost income and even the loss of future earning capacity due to a permanent disability can also be financially devastating. Typically, both medical expenses and lost wages are taken into consideration in determining the damages to which the plaintiff is entitled. Compensation for pain and suffering is also a factor in most cases.

Compensation for common injuries suffered in a car accident is usually sought under a legal theory known as negligence. In negligence cases, the plaintiff has the burden of proof, meaning that he or she must produce evidence that will convince the jury that the defendant had a legal duty, that the duty was breached, that the plaintiff suffered damages, and that the cause of the plaintiff’s damages was the defendant’s breach of duty. For example, in a distracted driving accident case, the plaintiff may use laws requiring motorists to keep a proper lookout to establish the duty element and refer to records from the defendant’s cell phone provider to prove that this duty was breached because the defendant was texting at the time of the accident.

The damages element of a negligence action may be established by expert testimony from the plaintiff’s treating physician regarding the injuries that the plaintiff suffered in the crash. Proving proximate causation is a matter of your attorney connecting the defendant’s specific careless action to the injuries that you suffered. It is up to the jury to determine the compensation due to the plaintiff for injuries such as a fracture, laceration, concussion, traumatic brain injury, or damage to the spinal cord. Usually, the plaintiff is limited to compensatory damages, but there are some extreme cases in which a defendant’s conduct was so egregious that the jury is given the option of also holding the defendant accountable for punitive damages. For example, a drunk driving accident in which the defendant had an unusually high blood alcohol content or was charged criminally for reckless driving due to excessive speed and erratic driving might qualify for punitive damages.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, seeking legal advice about your case may seem like a daunting task. However, it is important to assert your legal rights in a timely fashion in order to maximize the value of your case by making sure that all relevant evidence is secured as soon as possible. To speak to an experienced Middlesex County attorney about your accident, call Siegel & Siegel, P.C., at 609-799-6066 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys assist people throughout Middlesex, Mercer, Burlington, Monmouth, and Union Counties, including in Plainsboro, Cranbury, South Brunswick, North Brunswick, New Brunswick, Edison, Piscataway, Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton, and West Windsor. We understand the harm that common injuries in car accidents can inflict on a victim and are ready to stand up for your rights.