Car accident victims suffer injuries ranging from bumps and bruises to permanent, disabling, or even paralyzing, physical damage. As experienced Greenville car accident lawyers, we often talk about serious injuries versus moderate injuries, but what does this mean in the context of a car accident claim?
In general, a serious injury is one that causes severe impairment of bodily function or permanent disfigurement. This definition is fairly broad, but it does distinguish between recoverable injuries and those that permanently change the victim’s abilities. Serious injuries typically result in a higher-value claim, but a few requirements must be met to secure maximum recovery.
Serious injuries and your pain and suffering damages
In a car accident claim, you’re entitled to fully recover all necessary medical expenses and also for the pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life that you experience as a result of your injuries. Serious injuries often cause significant pain and suffering. Pain and suffering can be broken into several categories. First, there is physical pain and suffering. Physical pain and suffering is the physical pain that someone feels when they are injured. There is also mental pain and suffering. Mental pain and suffering is the mental anguish that someone feels thinking about their injury, the way they were injured, and how they are affected. Further, there is past and future pain and suffering.
Loss of enjoyment of life damages compensate someone for the effects that injuries have on their life. Serious injuries often take away the things that people value and enjoy in life. This category of damages covers everything from a grandparent picking up their grandchild to a person no longer being able to play their favorite sport or do their favorite hobbies.
Examples of what is considered a serious injury in a car accident
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, a serious injury involves:
- Deep cuts exposing muscle, bone, or significant tissue with heavy bleeding
- Fractured or visibly misshapen limbs
- Trauma caused by crushing forces
- Serious head, chest, or abdominal injuries beyond minor cuts and bruises
- Severe burns covering at least 10% of the body
- Loss of consciousness at the accident scene
- Loss of movement or sensation (paralysis)
Recovery from these debilitating injuries may take months, and even then, the recovery isn’t guaranteed. Many people may be unable to live independently or require extensive modifications to their home and vehicle to allow them a measure of independence.
Serious injuries involve permanent serious disfigurement
According to the United States Code (USC), permanent disfigurement is also defined as one that prevents the victim from sustaining gainful employment. The USC defines permanent disfigurement as one in which the victim’s body is visibly and permanently damaged, even after they’ve achieved maximum healing.
Some examples of a permanently disfiguring injury include:
- Extensive scarring
- Amputation
- Contortions
Self-esteem and sense of self are often diminished after a disfiguring injury, especially one that leaves visible scarring, like burns. Disfigurement or scarring may make it more difficult for you to enjoy activities you once did. For example, you may have suffered involuntary amputation, a disfiguring condition that impairs your ability to work or care for your family and your capability to enjoy your favorite active hobbies.
How an attorney can help you secure fair compensation for serious injuries
Every car accident claim has unique details that affect how much compensation the victim can recover. However, they all share one thing: The other driver’s insurance companies are almost certain to shut down victims seeking recovery.
The attorneys at Smith Jordan Law use our decades of combined experience valuing car accident claims involving catastrophic injuries to ensure that your settlement reflects the full value of all your losses. Contact us at (864) 343-2222 for a free consultation.
