A car crash that causes permanent injuries creates lifelong challenges. Victims face significant emotional and physical changes that impact their daily quality of life, along with mounting medical bills. Many car crash survivors in this situation may wonder if they have a claim, what it could be worth and how much compensation they can recover to help pay for continuing medical treatments, lost wages and other damages.
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If you were injured in a car crash, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your damages. Learn more about the factors that impact the overall value of your claim.
Need legal help after a South Carolina car accident? At Roden Law, we are dedicated to holding at-fault parties accountable and recovering the maximum possible compensation for our clients. Learn about your potential legal options when you speak to one of our experienced car accident lawyers in Charleston. We fight hard to get you the results you need, and there are no upfront costs or fees to pay.
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What Permanent Injuries May Result From a Car Accident?
A permanent injury is one that does not heal completely, or a condition that will continue to affect you for the rest of your life. These types of injuries often lead to chronic pain, loss of function and in some cases, permanent disability. Some common examples of permanent injuries sustained in car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries affecting cognitive function
- Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis
- Severe burns causing disfigurement
- Loss of limbs requiring prosthetics
- Joint injuries resulting in chronic pain
- Vision or hearing loss
- Nerve damage causing persistent numbness
The impact of these injuries extends beyond just physical pain. Many people with permanent injuries face challenges related to employment, personal relationships and daily activities. Some may need lifelong medical care, assistive devices or ongoing therapy.
How Do I Calculate the Value of My Charleston Car Accident Claim?
While every car accident case is different, permanent injury settlements could range from hundreds of thousands or more. Factors impacting the overall value of your claim include:
Extent and Severity of Your Injuries
The more severe and permanent the injury, the higher the potential value of your claim. For example, an amputation or paralysis will typically result in a much larger settlement compared to a broken bone that heals within a few months.
If your injuries cause permanent disability, requiring ongoing care or preventing you from working, the value of your claim will reflect these long-term consequences.
Medical Expenses
The cost of medical treatment after a car crash plays a significant role when determining the value of your claim. For permanent injuries, treatment costs can add up quickly and may include:
- Emergency care immediately following the accident
- Diagnostic testing
- Surgery or other major medical procedures
- Long-term physical therapy
- Assistive devices (e.g., wheelchairs, prosthetics)
- Pain management
- Home healthcare services
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Pain and suffering
In South Carolina, victims can recover compensation for past, present and future medical expenses. If your injuries require lifelong medical treatment, this can significantly increase the value of your claim.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
If your permanent injuries prevent you from working or significantly limit the type of work you can perform, you are entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes both the wages you have already lost and the wages you will lose in the future.
The longer the impact of your injury on your ability to earn a living, the more compensation you may be able to claim for loss of earning capacity. If your injury limits your ability to work in the same field or results in a permanent reduction in income, the value of your claim will reflect this financial loss.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering is a non-economic damage that compensates you for the physical pain, emotional distress and reduced quality of life caused by your injuries. Unlike medical expenses, pain and suffering damages do not have an exact formula. However, the more severe and permanent the injury, the higher the potential compensation.
Some of the pain and suffering factors that may influence the value of your claim include:
- The intensity and duration of pain
- Whether you will experience ongoing pain for the rest of your life
- The emotional toll of living with a permanent disability
- The impact the injury has on your mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD)
- The way your injury affects your ability to participate in normal activities or enjoy life
Impact on Daily Life and Relationships
Permanent injuries often lead to changes in a person’s daily life, including a reduced ability to perform everyday tasks, like driving, cooking or caring for children. The ability to engage in social, recreational or family activities may be severely impacted.
The more your injury alters your ability to live a normal, fulfilling life, the greater the value of your claim. Additionally, how your injury affects your relationships with your spouse, children or other close family members should be factored into your compensation.
Insurance Coverage and Liability
The amount of insurance coverage the at-fault driver carries affects the value of your claim as well. South Carolina law requires drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 in liability insurance per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. However, if the at-fault driver is underinsured or uninsured, this can complicate the claims process.
If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, your own insurance policy may come into play. In some cases, these policies can help cover the costs of permanent injuries when the at-fault driver has insufficient coverage.
Injured in a Car Crash? Seek Legal Help From Our Trusted Law Firm
If you are dealing with permanent injuries after a car crash, we recommend seeking legal counsel as soon as possible. Trying to establish the other party’s fault, calculating the value of your claim and negotiating your settlement is not something you should attempt alone.
At Roden Law, our legal team has extensive experience managing these type of cases, we have a history of proven results, and there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. We want you to focus on your health and recovery. Let us fight to recover the full compensation you deserve. We are here to help you.
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