If you’ve recently been injured in a car accident, you’re likely dealing with more than just vehicle damage—you may be facing medical bills, ongoing treatment, and uncertainty about how to afford it all. Whether you're suffering from neck pain, back pain, or more serious injuries, knowing your options is essential. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the process of getting the treatment you need and make sure the right party is held financially responsible.
What Are the Most Common Types of Injuries Resulting From Car Accidents?
The following are some of the most common types of injuries affecting car accident victims:
Head injuries:
Car accidents can lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions. A concussion often occurs when a person’s head is violently thrown back and forth—such as during a head-on collision. Symptoms like head pressure, headaches, or loss of consciousness may follow. TBIs can have long-lasting impacts on cognitive function and overall well-being. If you notice any of these symptoms after a crash, seek a medical evaluation immediately.
Whiplash:
Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries caused by sudden movements during an accident. The rapid back-and-forth motion can strain neck muscles and ligaments, causing neck pain, stiffness, or reduced range of motion. This type of soft tissue injury can also lead to chronic pain and may require ongoing pain management and support from physical therapists.
Broken ribs:
The force of a crash can cause broken bones, and ribs are particularly vulnerable due to their position near the steering wheel. These injuries can be extremely painful and may require significant time to heal. Even if no bones are broken, bruising or internal injuries may still require medical attention.
Scrapes and cuts:
Superficial injuries like scrapes, cuts, and lacerations are very common in collisions. These wounds may be caused by broken glass, metal, or even a seatbelt. While they may appear minor, they should be cleaned and examined to prevent infection or complications that could interfere with the body’s ability to maintain healthy blood flow and proper healing.
Arm, leg, and chest injuries:
During a crash, the body may strike various parts of the vehicle, causing damage to limbs and the chest. Knee injuries are especially common because of their placement under the dashboard, and can lead to sprains, fractures, or restricted mobility. Muscle spasms, swelling, or chronic pain in these areas may indicate deeper damage. In some cases, physical therapy may be necessary to regain function and return to a pain-free daily routine.
Spinal injuries:
Back injuries are a major concern after a crash. Car accidents often result in spinal fractures, herniated discs, or other spinal cord-related trauma. These injuries can cause anything from mild discomfort to severe neurological impairment or paralysis. While some cases may be treated conservatively, others require surgery, physical therapy, or long-term rehabilitation to restore mobility and quality of life.
What Does a Car Accident Attorney Do?
A car accident attorney is a personal injury attorney who plays a key role in helping injured victims recover fair compensation. Some of the essential services an attorney provides include:
- Communicating with the other driver’s insurance company: Your attorney will handle conversations and negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurer so you don’t have to.
- Coordinating with your healthcare providers: This ensures that your medical records and other documentation are properly collected and submitted to support your injury claim.
- Gathering evidence: Your attorney will obtain the evidence needed to determine who was at fault for the accident, such as photos, witness statements, police reports, or expert evaluations.
- Organizing medical records and bills: All of your treatment documentation is collected and reviewed so that it can be properly presented as part of your claim.
- Presenting your case in court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may present the evidence at trial to prove liability and demonstrate the extent of your damages.
- Negotiating with lien holders: This can include negotiating down the amount you owe to health, disability, or workers’ compensation insurers, which can increase the amount of compensation you ultimately receive.
- Pursuing a satisfactory settlement: Your attorney will work to resolve the case through negotiation whenever possible, seeking a settlement that fully covers your medical expenses and other losses.
What Types of Medical Treatment Expenses Can My Attorney Help Me Recover?
In addition to helping you recover compensation for vehicle and other property damage after a car crash, your attorney can also assist in obtaining reimbursement for medical care expenses—especially those you may incur before insurance kicks in. These may include a wide range of treatment options depending on the severity of your injuries and your prescribed treatment plan:
- X-rays: X-rays are often the first step in diagnosing broken bones or internal injuries and are a routine part of many treatment plans. Your attorney can help ensure these necessary medical expenses are reimbursed.
- Hospital stays: Serious injuries may require one or more nights in the hospital. Whether it's for observation, surgery, or recovery, your lawyer can work to recover the full cost of this care.
- Emergency room visits: ER visits following a car crash are often unavoidable and expensive. A good attorney will fight to make sure these vital medical care costs are included in your settlement.
- Ambulances or hospital transportation: If you were transported to the hospital via ambulance—or even through a taxi or rideshare because an ambulance wasn’t an option—your attorney can pursue reimbursement for those transportation costs.
- Mileage to hospital or rehabilitation facilities: The cost of driving to and from medical appointments, therapy sessions, or rehab centers should also be recoverable as part of your claim.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy is a critical part of many treatment plans, particularly for those recovering from surgery, whiplash, or soft tissue injuries. These expenses are typically reimbursed.
- Massage therapy: When massage therapy is recommended as a treatment option by a medical provider, it may be considered part of your recovery and eligible for compensation.
- Surgeries: If your injuries require surgical intervention, your attorney will help recover the often-substantial costs associated with these procedures.
- Prescriptions: Many treatment plans include medications for pain management, infection prevention, or inflammation control. These prescription costs can be included in your claim.
- Chiropractic care: Services provided by licensed chiropractors can help treat spinal misalignments and ongoing back pain resulting from a car crash. These expenses are typically recoverable, especially when recommended by a physician.
- Household services: If your injuries limit your ability to perform daily household duties, and you must hire outside help, those costs may be included in your case valuation.
- Car seat replacement: If a child car seat was in the vehicle during the crash, safety protocols recommend replacing it. An attorney can help secure compensation for this replacement cost, even if no visible damage is present.
What is the Settlement Process?
A settlement is a formal agreement to resolve a legal claim for injuries or damages. In a typical car accident settlement, the injured party agrees not to pursue a lawsuit—or to end an existing one—in exchange for a payment from the liable party. Most car accident cases are resolved through settlements rather than going to trial.
Here’s how the settlement process usually works:
- Your attorney submits a compensation demand to the liable party’s insurance company.
- The insurance company responds with a lower offer, starting a negotiation process between both sides.
- Back-and-forth negotiations continue as each party works to justify their proposed settlement amount.
- Your attorney consults with you throughout the process to evaluate offers and make decisions together.
- Once an agreement is reached, both parties sign a written settlement agreement. This document includes:
- The settlement amount and payment timeline
- The legal rights you give up in accepting the settlement
- Any other agreed-upon conditions to finalize the claim
- After signing, the settlement is legally binding and final. Neither side can amend the terms once it’s complete.
Throughout this process, your attorney may work closely with medical professionals to document the severity of your injuries and support your claim for fair compensation.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me Obtain the Best Settlement?
A skilled car accident attorney can negotiate a settlement that covers the full scope of your medical treatment and other damages following a crash. Here are a few key ways an attorney can help you secure the best possible outcome:
- Strong negotiation skills: If you negotiate your own settlement and accept an offer, that amount is final—you won’t have a chance to revisit the terms. An experienced attorney knows how to negotiate effectively and push for a settlement that truly reflects the damages you’ve suffered.
- Thorough investigation: Attorneys can conduct a more comprehensive investigation than most individuals could on their own. They work to uncover every potentially liable party and gather crucial evidence—often in collaboration with medical professionals—to support your claim.
- Maximizing your recovery: An attorney can help identify all available forms of compensation. You may be entitled to damages you weren’t even aware of, including future treatment needs, reduced earning capacity, and additional support costs.
- Stronger legal arguments: Without legal experience, it can be difficult to frame your injuries and financial losses in a persuasive way. An attorney can construct a compelling legal argument that clearly demonstrates why you deserve full compensation for your medical expenses and other damages.
Effective communication with insurers: Insurance companies can be difficult to deal with. A lawyer with experience in these negotiations can step in when communication stalls, ensuring you don’t face delays or denials without recourse.
Were You Recently Injured in a Car Accident? Speak to an Illinois Car Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve recently suffered an auto accident injury, don’t navigate the aftermath alone. Palermo Law Group is here to support your healing process and help you build a strong personal injury case. Our team will work diligently to hold the at-fault party accountable and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation contact our law firm by calling (630) 684-2332 or visit our website at https://www.palermolawgroup.com/.