What Types of Injuries Does a Boca Raton Auto Accident Attorney Handle?
Our Boca Raton auto accident attorneys handle a wide range of injuries that can result from car accidents, including:
- Head and brain injuries: Head injuries can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can have long-lasting effects on cognitive function, memory, and other brain functions.
- Neck and whiplash injuries: Whiplash is a common injury that occurs when the head and neck are abruptly jerked forward and then backward in a car accident. This can cause damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck.
- Back and spine injuries: Back injuries are also common in car accidents and can range from minor strains and sprains to more severe injuries such as herniated discs and spinal cord injuries.
- Burns and internal injuries: Road rash burns, or burns from fire that result from the crash, can cause severe pain and disfigurement. Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding and organ damage, can occur in car accidents and may not be immediately apparent.
- Broken bones and amputations: The impact of a car accident can cause bones to break, including fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. Some crashes may pinch or otherwise mangle fingers or limbs beyond the medical ability to save them, resulting in amputation.
Car accidents can also be emotionally traumatic, causing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even “minor” injuries from car crashes can cause chronic pain and lead to long-term loss of enjoyment of life.
More severe injuries may require long-term hospitalization, multiple surgeries, the use of a wheelchair or other mobility aid, and even the alteration of one’s home to account for changes to mobility. The more severe an injury is, the higher the medical debt is likely to be.
For substantial and catastrophic injuries or injuries that result in high debt, it’s especially important to hire an experienced attorney to seek full compensation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, the first thing you should do is contact the police. If someone is severely injured or unresponsive, you should call 911. Once ambulances arrive, they’ll take away anyone who requires immediate care, and medics will evaluate those who may not need immediate care.
If you’re able, here are a few things you should do while waiting for the police and ambulances to arrive after a car accident:
- Do not talk to the insurance companies without legal representation. Contact Osborne & Francis first to discuss your case. We can handle communications with insurance reps on your behalf and advise you on what evidence may be important to collect in the following steps.
- Take pictures and video at the scene, including pictures of your vehicle, other involved vehicles, and the surrounding area. You should also take note of any security cameras or businesses that may have security cameras in the area for later use.
- Speak to witnesses and collect their contact information. Encourage them to stick around and speak to the police when they arrive. A police report with a witness statement on your side is powerful evidence.
- Give the police your statement when they arrive, and make note of the police report number or the name of the recording officer. This will make it easier to obtain your copy of the report later.
- Seek a professional medical evaluation once the police okay you to leave the scene. Even if the EMTs didn’t deem emergency transport necessary, some injuries like brain trauma may not be visible right away. A delay in diagnosis could lead to a severe or permanent injury.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Boca Raton, contacting Osborne & Francis should be your first step once you’re stable after a crash. We’ll take the stress off your shoulders, dealing with insurance companies on your behalf and negotiating to secure you the maximum compensation for your damages. For a free case evaluation, call our Boca Raton office at (561) 293-2600.