On the busy and chaotic streets of New York City, life can change in the blink of an eye. A car crash can leave you grappling with injuries and financial issues. Moreover, victims could face chronic pain or long-term psychological effects that severely disrupt their home life and career.
Understanding common injuries in car accidents, including those with delayed symptoms, can be critical for seeking the compensation you deserve. Remember, you don’t have to face this daunting journey alone. While you’re healing and recovering from your NYC car accident injuries, an attorney can work on your legal case and help you recover the compensation you need and deserve.
Common Car Accident Injuries
NYC traffic usually entails congested streets and slow-moving vehicles. Yet, this doesn’t eliminate the risk of accidents; rear-end collisions are common, even in slow-moving traffic. According to the New York City Police Department, over 400 collisions with injuries occur weekly in the city.
Accidents in slow-moving city traffic can come with unique challenges and injuries, such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Here’s a rundown of common NYC car accident injuries:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a common injury in rear-end crashes. Symptoms typically include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches, among others. Severe whiplash can cause chronic pain and other health impacts.
- Head and Brain Injuries. Head and brain injuries include concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Symptoms may involve severe and persistent headaches, dizziness, confusion, personality changes, and memory loss.
- Spinal Cord and Back Injuries. Common types of back injuries in car accidents include herniated (“slipped”) discs, fractures, lumbar sprains, and spinal cord damage. In severe cases, spinal injuries can cause permanent paralysis.
- Broken Bones. Common bone fractures in crashes include hands, arms, legs, and ribs. While straightforward fractures can heal, more complex bone breaks may require multiple surgeries and could cause permanent injuries, such as mobility impairment.
- Internal Injuries. Internal injuries, such as organ damage and bleeding, commonly occur in high-impact accidents. Internal injuries are typically invisible from the outside but can be life-threatening and usually require emergency medical treatment.
- Soft Tissue Injuries. Soft tissue injuries, such as lacerations, contusions (bruises), and sprains, can be common in all types of car accidents. While not life-threatening, such injuries can be painful and may require time off work and other adjustments to your daily routine.
- Emotional Injuries. The emotional effects of a severe car crash can be as damaging as physical injuries. Car accidents may leave lasting trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition to compensation for their physical injuries, accident victims could receive awards for their car accident pain and suffering in NYC. An attorney at our firm can assess your damages and calculate the value of your claim, including non-economic damages like pain and emotional distress.
What Are Pain and Suffering Damages in NYC Car Accident Cases?
In a personal injury lawsuit, “pain and suffering” damages are compensation awards for car accident victims who experienced physical and emotional pain and distress due to their injuries. These damages can include physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and a decreased quality of life.
If you or a loved one experienced severe injuries due to someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you could seek pain and suffering damages in addition to your financial losses due to the crash.
How to Calculate Car Accident Pain and Suffering in NYC
Calculating pain and suffering damages is complicated as, unlike medical bills and income losses, they don’t come with statements or receipts. Pain and suffering are also subjective and can vary from person to person, even with the same kind of injury.
Attorneys and courts typically use either the “multiplier method” or the “per diem method” to calculate compensation awards for pain and suffering. The multiplier method involves multiplying your medical expenses by a factor, usually between 1.5 and 5, based on the severity of your injury. The per diem method assigns a daily dollar amount to a victim’s pain and suffering.
Maximizing Compensation for Your NYC Car Accident Injuries
When seeking compensation for your injuries, you’ll need a clear understanding of your rights and options. Here’s how you can give yourself the best chance of receiving the compensation you need and deserve:
- Promptly Seek Medical Attention. Visit a doctor even if you feel fine immediately after the accident. Some injuries, like whiplash, can manifest days or even weeks later. An insurance company may refuse a settlement if you can’t provide medical records that date from soon after the crash.
- Gather Evidence. If you can, take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries. Evidence to collect in the days after the accident includes records of medical bills, police reports, and witness statements.
- Document Pain and Suffering. Keep a journal that details your daily physical pain and emotional stress during the recovery period. Note how the injuries are impacting your daily life. Documenting pain and suffering supports your claim for non-economic damages.
- Keep Quiet About Your Case. Don’t discuss an ongoing insurance claim or lawsuit with anyone outside your legal team. Refrain from posting about your injuries or accident on social media, as any posts or comments could be used against you.
- Consult an Attorney. An experienced car accident attorney can walk you through the legal complex, negotiate with an insurance company, and file a lawsuit, if necessary, to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Compensation for Common Car Accident Injuries
If you’ve suffered severe car accident injuries in NYC, you may qualify for compensation. A car accident lawyer at Berkowitz & Weitz Law, P.C. can assess your case and help you pursue compensation. Here’s what you could receive:
Healthcare Costs
Medical expenses for car crash injuries can be overwhelming, and those with permanent impairments may require lifelong care, medical devices, and ongoing treatments. If you’re affected, you could qualify for both current and future medical costs, including rehabilitation and necessary home modifications.
Loss of Income
Significant injuries may prevent you from returning to work temporarily or permanently, resulting in lost income, benefits, and pension contributions. Compensation can help cover these financial losses, among others.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond the financial impact of an accident, you could experience physical pain and emotional trauma. Your quality of life may be reduced, especially if you can no longer participate in activities and hobbies you enjoyed before the crash. You could recover awards for car accident pain and suffering in NYC.
The amount of compensation you could receive depends on your unique case and circumstances. Consult with a car accident attorney who can advise you.
Berkowitz & Weitz Law, P.C. Is Here to Help You Get Justice
At Berkowitz & Weitz Law, P.C., we regularly see the devastating impacts of car accidents in our office and understand how a crash can impact your physical and emotional health. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you need and deserve. Our case results reflect the commitment we make to our clients: fighting tirelessly for the compensation and justice they deserve.
You don’t have to go it alone. We want to help you move forward and put this challenging time behind you. While you focus on your recovery, we can handle the legal aspects of your case. Contact us today for a free case review to assess your options.