A car accident can seriously injure the brain or spinal cord, resulting in temporary or permanent paralysis. A paralysis diagnosis can mean your daily routine will never be the same. Although medical treatments and devices might help you adjust to your new circumstances, they can be expensive to maintain.
Pursuing compensation may not take away the physical and emotional trauma you experienced, but it can offer you financial relief while you undergo recovery.
How pursuing compensation after a car accident works
When a negligent or careless driver causes you to suffer an injury, you can take legal action to make them pay for your injuries. With the court’s approval, you may receive financial compensation for your medical expenses, the wages you could not earn because of the accident and your pain and suffering.
However, pursuing compensation is not so simple. California follows the pure comparative negligence rule, which affects compensation based on fault. If the other driver is entirely to blame, you could receive the full settlement. If you are even partly responsible, the amount you get may be much less.
Key steps to take after a car accident
After a car accident, it is important to see a doctor right away. Even if you feel fine after the accident, it may be the adrenaline hiding your symptoms. There are also symptoms that do not appear right away and require observation.
In any case, a doctor’s evaluation, along with notifying your insurance provider, can make your case stronger. It may also help prove who truly caused the car accident.
Seek help when you need it
If you’ve been in a car accident, your insurance provider and the other driver may not be looking out for you. They might act caring and kind, but their goal may be to pay you as little as possible. Paralysis, whether temporary or permanent, means you will need ongoing medical care and funds to maintain it. A personal injury lawyer can offer you guidance to help you pursue the solutions you need.