While any car accident can cause serious injuries, freeway crashes are far more likely to result in catastrophic injuries. High-speed collisions are especially hazardous due to the immense force generated by high speeds. Accident victims may experience permanent changes to their lifestyle, income, and independence. However, they still have critical legal rights that protect them from manipulation, financial instability, and injustice.
What Are My Rights After a Freeway Crash?
Car accidents are a tragic reality on San Diego freeways, often resulting in catastrophic injuries. Regardless of whether you’re traveling on Interstate 5 to go to the San Diego Zoo or whether you’re on Route 163 to go to Balboa Park, if you’re involved in a freeway accident, there is always a heightened chance that you may experience a serious car crash. After any vehicle collision resulting in an injury, the injured party has rights that protect them when they are most vulnerable. It’s critical to be aware of your rights so you can receive the support you need to move forward.
The Right to Refuse to Make a Statement or Sign Any Documents
After an accident, you may be pressured to make an official statement by insurance companies. It’s crucial not to make any statements or sign any paperwork before consulting an attorney. Insurance providers often try to trap accident victims by convincing them to make recorded statements while they are still recovering. You may also be offered an early settlement that does not cover your full damages.
The Right to File a Personal Injury Claim
If another person’s negligence has led to your catastrophic injury, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. Filing a claim initiates the process that enables an injured person to seek justice and financial compensation for the damages incurred as a result of the accident. Several factors can affect the outcome of a personal injury case, including the percentage of fault, available evidence, insurance, and the extent of your injuries.
The Right to Compensation
Seeking damages after a freeway crash is critical because compensation helps to protect your family’s financial security. The expenses related to catastrophic injuries can be astronomical, often resulting in debt and long-term economic instability. Should a devastating injury result in permanent disability, the expenses will continue for the rest of the victim’s life. The damages most commonly sought after a freeway crash include:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Home health care and assistance
You may also seek compensation for non-economic damages, as they can have a profound effect on your quality of life. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium are common non-economic damages. Catastrophic injuries can have a profoundly lasting impact on every aspect of your life, including your familial relationships, freedom to travel, and ability to participate in activities such as attending concerts.
The Right to Investigation and a Fair Trial
In San Diego, every accident victim has the right to a thorough investigation of the crash. You must have access to all relevant information, such as police reports, witness statements, and security camera footage. Your right to a fair trial relies on having sufficient evidence to prove the at-fault party’s negligence, your financial and psychological damages, and your need for ongoing medical care.
Common Catastrophic Injuries Caused by Freeway Crashes
High-speed freeway crashes can be devastating, and the injuries sustained can have lifelong repercussions. Catastrophic injuries are defined as any injury that results in permanent disability or disfigurement. These injuries can alter the course of the victim’s life and may make them dependent on caretakers. Let’s review some common catastrophic injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of a blunt force impact to the head, or an object striking the head, passing through the skull, and damaging the brain. TBIs can cause permanent changes to a person’s speech, physical abilities, cognition, and behavior. Some TBIs cause personality changes and aggression that can be exceedingly difficult to manage.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries are particularly devastating because even minor damage can cause paralysis. Partial or complete paralysis can result in the accident victim’s confinement to a wheelchair, loss of independence, and a reduced ability to participate in the world around them.
Burns
Severe burns can damage several layers of skin. They may be life-threatening if the burns cover a large percentage of the body. Burns can cause nerve damage, which affects mobility, causes chronic pain, and may result in lifelong PTSD. Furthermore, scarring and disfigurement are common long-term challenges caused by severe burns.
Amputations
The force of an impact, crush injuries, or contact with a sharp object can result in a traumatic amputation. A limb may be amputated at the scene of the accident or later in a hospital. Amputation patients need expensive prosthetics to maintain independence, and many experience life-long phantom limb pain. Additionally, the remaining damaged limb can remain sensitive and cause discomfort for years to come.
Internal Organ Damage
Damage to any internal organs can be life-threatening and often requires immediate surgical intervention or an organ transplant. Some internal organ damage can even lead to chronic health conditions that require follow-up surgeries and ongoing medical care. For example, if the intestines are severely damaged, the patient may need a colostomy surgery and a bag to restore normal bodily functions.
Seek Justice After a Life-Altering Accident
Catastrophic injuries come with countless ripple effects that can permanently alter the course of the patient and their family’s lives. The financial impact alone can lead to food insecurity, housing changes, and immense debt. Pursuing your legal right to seek compensation can be a crucial step in moving forward with your life and protecting your family.
The legal landscape can be complex, but fortunately, you do not have to navigate it alone. If you or a loved one has experienced a catastrophic injury in a freeway crash, contact HHJ Trial Attorneys. Our expert legal team will help you with every aspect of your case, from filing documents correctly to fighting for you in court. We will be with you every step of the way.
