Whenever you get into your car, you’re going to be sharing the road with thousands of other drivers making their way in and around Portland by way of the I-5 or I-205 or heading down Burnside Street or the Banfield Freeway.
According to the latest data collected by the state, there were 45,070 car crashes in a single year, and nearly half of those resulted in injuries.
No matter how severe your injury is, getting into any kind of car accident is a major disruption to your life. It is even worse when the accident was caused by a reckless driver.
In other instances, you are entitled to seek compensation for any of your losses. The best approach for locking down that compensation is to get support from an experienced Portland car accident lawyer.
When filing a claim, you’ll need to detail the specifics of your injury.
Which of the following would apply to your claim?
Whiplash and Soft Tissue Damage
Cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD), often referred to as whiplash, is one of the most common types of injuries sustained in a car accident. It is considered a soft-tissue injury that occurs when the sudden impact in a car collision forces the head to jerk back and forth.
In that instance, there is a stretch or tear in the neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Common symptoms of whiplash can include the following:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle spasms
- Shoulder or upper back pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Tingling
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
The only way to confirm a whiplash injury is with an MRI or CT scan. For mild cases, you might be told to immobilize your neck by wearing a soft foam cervical collar for short periods throughout the day. You might also be prescribed physical therapy.
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the most life-altering of car accident injuries.
They occur when there is a sudden blow to the head from an accident. These are also the type of injuries that might not be obvious at first, with the symptoms showing up days after the accident.
You could experience the following:
- Confusion
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness
- Memory loss
- Nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Cognitive impairments
- Motor function issues
- Mood disorders
A TBI often requires surgery to relieve swelling or blood clots. With severe TBI, there might be a need for long-term care.
Bone Fractures
A bone fracture can be anything from a hairline fracture to an open fracture. You can experience intense pain, swelling, and bruising. There might even be a visible deformity at the fracture site.
The more compound the fracture, the greater the need for surgery. That can involve using plates, screws, or rods to reattach and stabilize the bone. You will also be put into a cast for several weeks.
Afterward, there might be a need for physical therapy to regain mobility.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are another common result of car accidents because of how your body is thrust into the dashboard, even when wearing seat belts. You can experience torn ligaments, meniscus tears, cartilage damage, or patellar fractures. These injuries can cause challenges with your mobility, forcing you to use braces, crutches, or even a wheelchair until the injury has healed.
Psychological Impact and Post-traumatic Stress
Not every injury resulting from a car accident will be physical. There can also be psychological trauma attached to the event that begins with experiencing a certain level of shock and confusion.
In the days after the accident, you might start to develop an intense fear of driving or riding as a passenger. That can cause a significant disruption to your life. If you were also physically injured, you can experience feelings of helplessness and frustration with your recovery progress. This can all lead to major depression.
All of this emotional trauma would be a part of your pain and suffering. That is a type of damage that you can include in the demand letter that your attorney will send to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Legal Recovery for Your Accident Injuries in Oregon
After a car accident, you will most likely file an insurance claim, and you’ll want to file that as quickly as possible.
The sooner that it gets into the works, the more likely you’ll be able to get reimbursed for any car repairs or medical expenses. However, things can get complicated when you are attempting to get that compensation from the at-fault driver who is disputing the cause of the accident.
That’s when you need to reach out to the Dozier Law Group.
If we agree to work together, our lawyers will serve as your advocate and handle all communications with the insurance company. We’ll conduct our own investigations to counter whatever an insurance adjuster claims.
We have the resources to lock down all relevant evidence, including traffic surveillance footage, to help establish who is really at fault.
In addition to our negotiating skills, we can also make the crucial pivot to the courtroom if needed. That happens when the insurance company drags its feet, denies a legitimate claim, or offers a lowball settlement. Filing a civil lawsuit might slow down the process, but it could ultimately be the best option for recovering what you are entitled to.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you owe it to yourself to set up a free consultation with our legal team. We can answer any questions you may have about what should happen next.
Don’t wait to get what you’re due.