Dunwoody is one of the newest cities within the Atlanta metropolitan area, incorporated in 2008. It’s a rapidly growing city, with a population that commutes to Atlanta for work every day. With so many commuters in the area, car accidents are a common, daily occurrence. If you’re involved in a car wreck, even a seemingly minor one, the aftermath can be devastating.
At the very least, you may find yourself without a vehicle, forcing you to find other ways to get to work. You may also suffer serious injuries, leaving you unable to work at all. Of course, if you are seriously injured, medical bills may pile up, and you may not know how you’re going to pay for your treatment.
That’s why it’s important to contact a Dunwoody car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a collision. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to get the full compensation you deserve, especially if the car accident wasn’t your fault.
Knowing what can happen to your body after a car accident, no matter how minor it may seem, as well as how the insurance company will evaluate your claim, can go a long way in helping you physically and financially recover after a collision. Of course, every car wreck is unique, which is why it’s vital you speak with a car accident attorney in Dunwoody as soon as possible after your accident.
Common Injuries After a Car Accident
Car wrecks can result in any number of different injuries. Depending on the type of collision and the safety features in your car, you may walk away with just a few scrapes and bruises, or you may suffer severe injuries.
Here are just a few of the most common injuries after a car accident:
1. Soft Tissue Injuries, Like Whiplash
Soft tissue injuries are defined as any injury to the body’s connective tissues, such as the tendons, ligaments and muscles. There are a few common types of soft tissue injuries, such as strains or tears from overexertion. After a car accident, the most common type of soft tissue injury is whiplash.
Whiplash occurs in the neck and upper back. It’s caused by sudden movements, such as your head moving forward then back suddenly if you’ve been in an accident. While soft tissue injuries usually aren’t life-threatening, it’s still important to seek medical treatment.
2. Traumatic Brain Injury
There are two forms of traumatic brain injury: open and closed. Open brain injuries happen due to penetration of the skull, and are not very common, especially after a car wreck. Closed traumatic brain injuries, on the other hand, happen when your brain essentially moves around inside the skull. These are also known as concussions.
Concussions can be mild, moderate or severe. Minor concussions can often be treated at home with rest. However, if you believe you’ve suffered a concussion, it’s important to get evaluated by a medical professional to make sure you don’t need further treatment.
3. Scrapes and Bruises
If you’ve been in a more minor car accident, you may suffer from just bruises and cuts. However, even if these injuries seem minor, you should still have them evaluated by a medical professional either at the scene of the collision or shortly after.
Cuts may be severe and lead to too much blood loss. They may also get infected, leading to further injury. In some cases, bruising can be indicative of internal bleeding. At the very least, your doctor may be able to prescribe painkillers and other treatment to help with the pain.
How the Insurance Company Will Evaluate Your Claim
After a car wreck, you’ll need to report the incident to your insurance provider. The moment your conversation starts, your claim will be evaluated. The insurance agent will be recording the conversation, looking for any holes in your story or any other reason to lower your claim.
As such, it’s crucial you only provide the bare minimum information about what happened. If they ask for information beyond the bare minimum, let them know they can learn more on the police report, and that you’d like to speak with your attorney before saying anything else.
Once your insurance provider has your statement and the police report, they will use their own algorithms and other tools to determine their settlement offer. It’s important to note that the insurance company just that: a company. They are looking out for their profit margins more than your well-being.
Before you accept any settlement offer, you should get a free consultation from an experienced Dunwoody car accident lawyer. They can review your case, including the settlement offer, and determine whether or not they can get you greater compensation.
Once you accept the settlement offer from the insurance company, your case is over. You will not be able to file a lawsuit for greater compensation. So, getting a free consultation with an attorney before accepting the settlement is always a good option.
Speak with a Car Accident Attorney in Dunwoody Today
If you’ve been injured in a car wreck in Dunwoody or the surrounding area, you have legal rights! Depending on the nature of the collision and other factors, you may be entitled to compensation.
Before accepting any settlement offer from the insurance company, be sure to get a free, no-obligation consultation with a Dunwoody car accident lawyer. You may be surprised by how much compensation they can get you!