When another vehicle struck you on a Washington highway, you may have been on your way to work, to the store or traveling for pleasure at the time. Depending on the exact circumstances of the incident, you may have suffered severe, perhaps even life-threatening, injuries. It often takes days or weeks to assess the full scope of damages caused by a motor vehicle collision.
Of course, seeking medical attention is always a top priority in the immediate aftermath of a crash. Not only is it the best means for obtaining treatment for any injuries that have occurred, but it also creates written documentation of the incident, which can come in handy later on. Beyond medical attention, however, it is important to determine what other types of damage have occurred, especially if the driver who hit you was acting careless or reckless at the time.
Full extent of damages is not always immediately apparent
In the moments following a motor vehicle collision, you are focused on several issues, one of which is to get yourself and any loved ones or pets traveling with you to safety. This is assuming, of course, that the collision did not cause you to become trapped inside your vehicle or cause you or someone else to lose consciousness.
If you have a deep gash on your head that is bleeding or a bone that has punctured your skin, these are noticeable injuries. However, the full extent of damages you have suffered may not all be so immediately apparent. For instance, symptoms of traumatic brain injury often experience a delay. You or a child who was traveling with you might develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during recovery. A disabled vehicle, lost wages and numerous other issues may also constitute ”damages” under Washington personal injury laws.
Getting the treatment and care you need to fully recover
A Washington motor vehicle collision can set off a chain of distressing events, especially if your injuries prevent you from returning to work. During recovery, alleviation of physical pain, emotional trauma and financial distress are key factors toward achieving as full of a recovery as possible.
When someone else’s negligence was a causal factor in a collision that resulted in damages for you or your loved one, your family shouldn’t have to bear the financial burdens associated with the incident. Why should you have to pay medical bills if another driver’s irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel while intoxicated caused an accident to occur? Many accident victims seek financial recovery for their losses in court, which often leads to compensation that can help families in distress obtain much-needed post-accident care.