Every day, somewhere in the U.S., a serious accident results from a bad decision by a driver merging into a stream of traffic. The traffic rules are clear: the driver merging must yield to the vehicles flowing in the lane they are trying to enter. Merging accidents tend to be serious, because they happen unexpectedly and the vehicles that collide are often moving fast.
Injuries like a broken pelvis are not uncommon, as the severe impact of two fast moving vehicles can cause immediate and substantial trauma to the bodies of the occupants. Broken pelvis injuries will be expensive to treat and there is always the possibility that the injury could be long term, or permanent. The accident victim may have good grounds for pursuing compensation through filing a personal injury claim with the help of a dedicated lawyer.
The Cost of a Broken Pelvis Injury
When calculating the cost of a broken pelvis injury at least four things have to be taken into consideration when compiling a claim. The cost of medical treatment will be substantial as it will require surgery in a hospital as well as follow-up visits, x-rays, scans and treatment.
The injury will make it hard, possibly impossible, to return to work while being treated or while allowing the injury to heal. The cost of lost earnings during this period must be taken into consideration.
Support will be needed while recovering, like the use of a wheelchair, or the use of a taxi. This cost must be included. More difficult to calculate is the ‘pain and suffering’ component. This is sometimes calculated as a multiplier of the cost of medical treatment. Your lawyer will know how to calculate the full cost of a broken pelvis injury.
Filing a Claim After a Broken Pelvis Injury From a Merging Accident
Although most states allow a reasonable time to file a personal injury claim after an accident, you should think about initiating legal proceedings as soon as your injuries allow you to do so. You will need evidence that the merging driver was at fault and the later you leave a claim, the harder it will be to find the evidence you need. A police report will certainly be useful, as well as eye witness statements and a report from the car yard that deals with your damaged car.
If your injury is likely to affect you for a long time into the future, it is important that your lawyer helps to provide an accurate estimate of what this is going to cost you. You will also need evidence of what the injury has cost you to date in medical treatment, loss of earnings and the pain and suffering experienced. Insurers will not process a claim without convincing documentation.
Why You Should Speak With a PI Lawyer
A broken pelvis is a serious injury. If the injury was caused by the negligent actions of a merging driver you should expect to be fairly compensated.
Unfortunately, insurers are not in the business of being sympathetic and may challenge your claim if you don’t have a lawyer representing you. It is common for insurers to offer a less than satisfactory payment quickly in the hope that you settle without contacting a lawyer.
You are far more likely to obtain a fair compensation payment if you use a personal injury lawyer throughout the process. To get started, complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page.
