Like so many other gorgeous locations along the state’s coastline, Miramar Beach attracts thousands of tourists each year. It also offers a thriving community for retirees and others who have chosen to live the beach lifestyle. While all of these people bring vibrancy and life to the area, they also increase the risk of traffic accidents.
People who learned to drive in other areas or who may be unfamiliar with local directions help contribute to the high number of car wrecks in the area. Add to that distracted driving, speeding, and driving while intoxicated, and it is easy to see why there are so many serious injury car accidents in Miramar Beach. It can also complicate financial recovery, since some people may not have insurance that complies with state laws. Fortunately, our experienced team of auto collision attorneys could help you with your recovery. If you have sustained a severe injury in a car wreck, schedule a consultation with a qualified lawyer at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon to learn more about your potential legal remedies.
Car accidents range from minor bumps to fatal accidents. So, it is crucial to distinguish severe accidents from minor accidents. There is no legal designation separating the two types of accidents—though there are laws that can enhance civil liability or even add criminal liability to an auto accident. Instead, severe and serious are generic terms people use to describe the combination of property damage and personal injuries from an accident.
Generally speaking, any accident without injuries is not a severe car accident. When the only damage is property damage, people may fight over liability. Still, the disputes tend to be easier to resolve, and the overall damage awards tend to be lower. Furthermore, when there are no underlying injuries, it can be simpler for an insurance company to determine a fair settlement value.
When a crash causes injuries, it becomes more severe. That is true even if the only injuries are minor. Every injury has the potential for medical bills, time lost from work, and lingering effects. Many people who initially present with minor injuries may later discover that they have severe injuries—head injuries are one prime example. Because of this, it is always safest to treat any Miramar Beach car accident that results in an injury as a severe injury accident.
Severe injuries are those that result in significant pain, disfigurement, lengthy time away from work, paralysis, decline in quality of life, amputation, or any similar injury. If it has a long-term, negative impact on quality of life, then the injury is severe.
Head-on collisions, t-bone accidents, cars hitting pedestrians, and truck wrecks are all likely to lead to serious injuries. Those injuries may include:
The recovery period varies for each type of injury. Still, they generally require lengthy recovery periods, expensive medical care, and plenty of time away from work.
Some people never fully recover from severe injuries; they can have a lifelong effect. For example, suppose a person who does manual labor has a limb amputated as a result of an accident. In that case, it will impact their lifelong earning capabilities.
So, while insurance companies use tables and charts to determine the value of a particular injury, the reality is that it varies from person to person. People may experience very different consequences from the same type of injury. A lawyer who deals with serious car accidents in Miramar Beach will fight for an award that recognizes how an injury impacts each individual—not just physically but also financially, emotionally, and mentally.
When unsure how to proceed after a collision, you should schedule a consultation with an attorney who handles serious injury car accidents in Miramar Beach. A seasoned lawyer at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon could advise whether the courts will likely consider your injury severe. They could help you determine a dollar value for your claim based on current and future medical bills, lost wages, loss in earning capacity, and many non-economic factors. Armed with this information, you will be in the best position to decide whether you want to hire a legal professional to handle your claim.
Call our firm today to schedule an initial consultation with a knowledgeable attorney.