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Some accidents cause injuries that heal within a short period. Others can change a person’s health, employment, finances, and daily routine for months or even years.
A serious injury may require surgery, rehabilitation, specialist care, or continuing treatment. In some situations, an injured person may also face permanent physical limitations that affect the type of work they can perform and the activities they can enjoy.
When another person or entity may be legally responsible for an accident, a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer can review the circumstances, investigate the available evidence, and help document the short-term and long-term consequences of the injury.
Babaians Law Firm offers a free consultation and free case evaluation for people dealing with personal injuries in California.
Learn more about the Santa Ana Personal Injury Lawyer services
Serious Injuries Can Require Long-Term Medical Care
The full effect of an accident may not be known during the first few days.
Depending on the injury, treatment can include:
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Emergency care
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Hospitalization
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Surgery
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Diagnostic imaging
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Specialist appointments
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Physical therapy
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Occupational therapy
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Medication
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Rehabilitation
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Follow-up medical care
Some people may eventually return to their normal activities. Others may require continuing treatment or accommodations.
Medical records can help establish the progression of an injury and the treatment required.
Common Serious Injuries After an Accident
The type of injury can affect the recovery process and the losses associated with an accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can affect memory, concentration, balance, communication, or other functions.
Symptoms and treatment requirements can vary significantly, so medical evaluation is important after an accident involving a possible head injury.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Spinal injuries can range from temporary pain to serious conditions involving permanent mobility limitations.
Treatment may include physical therapy, medication, surgery, or other medical care depending on the diagnosis.
Broken Bones and Fractures
A fracture may require immobilization, surgery, rehabilitation, or extended recovery.
Multiple fractures can make everyday activities and employment especially difficult.
Nerve Damage
Nerve injuries may cause numbness, weakness, tingling, or chronic pain.
The effect can depend on the location and severity of the injury.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries may not always be immediately visible.
Prompt medical evaluation following a serious accident can help identify injuries that require treatment.
A Serious Injury Can Affect Your Ability to Work
Work-related consequences can become a significant part of an injury claim.
A person may miss work because of:
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Medical appointments
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Surgery
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Hospitalization
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Physical limitations
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Rehabilitation
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Medication side effects
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Recovery requirements
An injury can also prevent someone from performing specific job duties.
For example, a person whose occupation requires lifting, standing, driving, climbing, or repetitive physical activity may be unable to return to the same duties after a serious injury.
Employment records and medical documentation can help establish these limitations.
Future Earning Capacity May Need to Be Evaluated
The financial effect of an injury may continue after a person returns to work.
If an injury permanently limits the type of work someone can perform, future earning capacity may become relevant to evaluating the claim.
This can require consideration of factors such as:
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The person’s occupation
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Work history
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Education and training
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Current income
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Medical restrictions
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Expected recovery
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Long-term physical limitations
The evaluation should be based on evidence rather than assumptions about what an injured person will be able to earn in the future.
Future Medical Expenses Can Be Important
A serious injury may require treatment long after an initial claim is made.
Potential future needs can include:
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Additional surgery
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Physical therapy
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Medication
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Specialist care
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Medical equipment
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Rehabilitation
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Follow-up testing
When future care is reasonably supported by medical evidence, it may be relevant to evaluating the overall consequences of the injury.
Permanent Disability Can Change Everyday Life
A permanent injury can affect activities that once seemed routine.
Someone may have difficulty:
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Walking long distances
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Driving
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Working
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Exercising
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Caring for children
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Performing household tasks
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Participating in hobbies
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Traveling
The effect of a permanent limitation can vary from person to person.
Documenting these changes can help create a clearer picture of how the accident has affected daily life.
Family Members May Also Be Affected
A serious injury can change responsibilities within a household.
A spouse, parent, adult child, or another family member may need to provide assistance with:
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Transportation
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Household chores
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Childcare
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Appointments
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Personal activities
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Other daily responsibilities
These changes can become especially significant when an injury requires extended recovery or permanent assistance.
The Psychological Effects of an Accident
A serious accident can be emotionally difficult.
Some injured people experience anxiety, fear, frustration, or emotional distress after a collision or other traumatic event.
Mental health concerns should be evaluated by appropriate healthcare professionals. Medical documentation may also help establish the broader effects of an accident when such issues are relevant to a claim.
Different Accidents Can Cause Lasting Injuries
Serious injuries can result from many different types of accidents.
Vehicle Collisions
Car accidents can cause fractures, brain injuries, spinal injuries, and other serious conditions.
Commercial Truck Crashes
The size and weight of commercial trucks can result in severe collisions. Truck accident investigations may also involve multiple potentially responsible parties.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists lack the protection provided by an enclosed passenger vehicle, which can increase the potential for serious injury in a collision.
Pedestrian Accidents
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle can experience significant injuries involving the head, spine, limbs, or internal organs.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle crashes can result in fractures, head injuries, road rash, and other serious conditions.
Premises Liability Accidents
Falls and other accidents caused by dangerous property conditions can result in serious orthopedic or head injuries.
Evidence Becomes Especially Important in Serious Injury Claims
The more significant the claimed losses, the more important documentation can become.
Evidence may include:
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Medical records
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Diagnostic imaging
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Treatment records
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Medical bills
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Employment records
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Wage statements
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Accident reports
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Photographs
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Witness information
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Video footage
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Rehabilitation records
Preserving evidence early can be helpful because some information may become unavailable as time passes.
Do Not Assume Vehicle Damage Tells the Entire Story
After a car or truck accident, people sometimes judge the seriousness of an injury based on how damaged the vehicles appear.
That can be misleading.
A person can suffer a significant injury even when vehicle damage appears limited. Conversely, extensive vehicle damage does not by itself establish the nature or severity of a person’s injuries.
Medical evaluation and medical evidence are more appropriate for determining the condition of an injured person.
Insurance Companies May Question Long-Term Injuries
An insurer may dispute the extent of an injury, particularly when the claimed consequences extend into the future.
Questions may arise about:
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Whether additional treatment is necessary
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Whether an injury is permanent
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Whether the accident caused the condition
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Whether the person can return to work
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Whether future income will be affected
Medical records and other supporting evidence can help address these issues.
Pre-Existing Conditions Do Not Automatically End a Claim
An injured person may have had a medical condition before an accident.
The relevant question can involve whether the accident caused a new injury or aggravated an existing condition.
Accurate medical records and professional medical opinions may be important when this issue arises.
Do not hide previous medical information from healthcare providers or provide inaccurate information to an insurer.
What If Several People Contributed to the Accident?
Some accidents involve more than one potentially responsible party.
For example, a collision could involve multiple drivers, a commercial vehicle, a property condition, or another contributing factor.
California follows comparative negligence principles, meaning responsibility can potentially be divided among parties.
An injured person’s share of responsibility can affect the damages recoverable under applicable law.
Be Careful About Early Settlement Offers
An insurance company may make a settlement offer before an injured person’s recovery is complete.
This can create a difficult decision when the long-term consequences of an injury are not yet clear.
Before agreeing to a settlement, it can be important to understand:
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The current medical expenses
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Expected future treatment
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Lost income
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Potential future earning losses
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Property damage
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Other documented losses
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The terms of the settlement
A settlement agreement may release certain claims, so the terms should be understood before signing.
California Personal Injury Deadlines
California personal injury claims generally have statutory deadlines.
The general statute of limitations for many personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of injury, although exceptions can apply.
Claims involving government entities can involve different procedures and shorter deadlines. Other circumstances can also affect the applicable time limit.
Because the correct deadline depends on the specific circumstances, prompt legal review can help determine which requirements apply.
How a Santa Ana Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Serious injury cases can require extensive documentation and investigation.
A personal injury lawyer may help by:
Investigating the Accident
Evidence can be reviewed to determine how the accident occurred and who may be responsible.
Reviewing Medical Evidence
Treatment records can help establish the severity and progression of the injury.
Documenting Financial Losses
Medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and other qualifying losses can be documented.
Considering Future Consequences
When supported by appropriate evidence, future medical needs and earning limitations can be evaluated.
Handling Insurance Communications
An attorney can communicate with insurance companies and negotiate when appropriate.
Reviewing Settlement Proposals
Settlement terms can be evaluated before an injured person decides whether to accept an offer.
Pursuing Litigation
If negotiations do not resolve the matter, a lawsuit may be considered depending on the facts and applicable law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a serious personal injury?
A serious injury can involve significant medical treatment, extended recovery, permanent limitations, or substantial effects on employment and daily activities. The specific condition and consequences determine how an injury should be evaluated.
Can I seek compensation for future medical treatment?
Potential future medical expenses may be considered when supported by appropriate medical evidence and applicable law.
What if my injury prevents me from returning to my old job?
If an injury affects your ability to perform your previous occupation, lost income and potential future earning-capacity issues may become relevant depending on the circumstances.
Can a personal injury claim include permanent disability?
Potentially. When an accident causes permanent limitations, the effects on medical care, employment, daily activities, and other aspects of life may be relevant to a claim.
What if I had an injury before the accident?
A pre-existing condition does not automatically prevent a personal injury claim. Medical evidence may help determine whether the accident caused a new injury or aggravated an existing condition.
Can I still recover if I was partly responsible for the accident?
Potentially. California’s comparative negligence rules can allow claims when an injured person shares responsibility, although the person’s percentage of fault can affect recovery.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in California?
The general deadline for many personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of injury, but exceptions can apply. Government-related claims and other circumstances may have different requirements.
Speak With a Santa Ana Personal Injury Lawyer
A serious injury can affect your life long after the accident itself. Medical treatment, lost income, future care, permanent limitations, and changes to everyday activities may all need to be considered when evaluating a personal injury claim.
If you or someone close to you was injured in Santa Ana, Babaians Law Firm can review the circumstances of your accident and explain your potential legal options.
Call (818) 334-2981 for a free consultation and free case evaluation.
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