If you have been injured in an accident which was not your fault, you may be in shock. You may be wondering just what sort of long term impact the accident is going to have on you. Even minor accidents can have long lasting effects. There is no reason why you should have to face the financial and psychological consequences by yourself. If you have had any significant injuries you may be able to claim compensation if you can prove who was to blame for the accident. A personal injury attorney will be able to clarify the legal possibilities. The earlier you seek legal help the better.
Just How Bad are Scrapes and Cuts?
In many types of accidents, it is likely that your body will be cut or bruised. If you only receive minor scratches without any bleeding or deep cuts, you may be able to treat them at home and consider yourself lucky not to be more seriously injured. However, it is quite possible to be more badly cut, especially if you fall down on or against something sharp during the impact.
Deep cuts are also called lacerations. They are caused by a sharp object or objects penetrating past the outer layer of skin and almost always cause significant bleeding and potential blood loss. There is a danger of internal infection if the laceration is extensive or left without treatment. These sorts of cuts should always be a priority for treatment after an accident and should be closely monitored to make sure that they heal.
Why Cuts and Scrapes are a Personal Injury Issue
Even minor accidents can affect a victim psychologically, and make it hard to face normal activity, but significant physical injuries can mean hospital treatment or at the least unexpected medical bills for which you may be unprepared or uninsured. You may have to stay away from work, especially if you have been badly cut. Bandages that have been used to seal off the injuries to your skin may mean that you cannot perform your normal duties or your doctor has advised you that your cuts need to be protected so that they can heal more quickly.
If the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, whether it was a car accident or a slip and fall in a supermarket, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Some states limit personal injury claims if the injuries are not considered ‘serious’ or if they are below a certain amount. In many states, however, you may be able to make a claim for more minor injuries through a small claims court. As with all personal injury claims, the onus is on you to prove that the accident was not your fault and that the party you are claiming from was to blame. Depending on the state you are claiming in, your claim may be affected if you were partly to blame for the accident.
Why Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney Early is a Good Idea
Whenever you are injured because of an accident that someone else caused, there may be a possibility of claiming fair compensation. Often, the law that regulates personal injury claims makes it difficult to know what to do, or how much you can claim for such injuries as scrapes and cuts. An experienced personal injury attorney will have handled situations like yours many times before and will be able to provide sensible and useful advice at the least, which will allow you to decide whether to proceed with a claim with the attorney’s professional help.
