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Unexpected accidents and injuries can disrupt lives. In these challenging moments, car accident injury lawyers become invaluable allies. They advocate for those injured by others' negligence, ensuring they obtain fair compensation. This article explores the vital role these lawyers play, guiding individuals through their claims and helping them rebuild.
Accounting for Emotional Damages in Car Accident Claims
Car accidents often result in both physical and emotional injuries. Emotional damages can range from minor distress to severe mental health conditions.
Common Emotional Issues
After a car accident, individuals may experience:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Shock
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Self-blame
These emotions can manifest physically through:
- Severe anger and shouting
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy
- Nightmares
- Hypervigilance
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
While some emotional responses may pass with time, others can develop into more severe conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
PTSD and Other Severe Conditions
Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Hyper-alertness
- Reliving the accident
- Emotional numbing
- Avoidance behaviors (e.g., avoiding driving)
Those with severe physical injuries may also experience depression due to the limitations imposed by their injuries.
Pursuing Damages for Emotional Effects
There are two main categories of damages in car accident claims:
1. Economic Damages: Quantifiable expenses like medical bills and lost wages.
2. Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Mental health therapy and medications required due to the accident can be included in the economic damages. Future expenses should also be considered to ensure a fair compensation amount.
Proving Emotional Damages
To claim emotional damages, you must prove that the accident caused these issues. This can be done through:
- Personal testimony
- Journals documenting emotional states
- Medical records from mental health professionals
Understanding Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder decompression surgery, or subacromial decompression, is often necessary for nerve impingement syndrome resulting from a car accident. This condition involves the narrowing of space between the acromion (the small bone on the top of the shoulder) and the rotator cuff, causing pain and inflammation.
The Surgical Procedure
Arthroscopic shoulder decompression involves making small incisions and using an arthroscope to remove or smooth bone and soft tissue causing the impingement. This minimally invasive approach reduces recovery time compared to open surgery.
Recovery Time
Post-surgery, patients typically use a sling and begin rehabilitation exercises as soon as they are able. Full pain relief may be achieved within two to four months, though some patients may require up to a year.
Recovering Compensation for Surgery
Shoulder decompression surgery and the associated recovery can be costly, and patients may miss work. Under Iowa law, accident victims may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering if another motorist caused the accident.
The Prevalence of Road Debris Accidents
Thousands of serious car accidents in Iowa are caused by road debris each year. Common types of debris include:
- Construction materials
- Blown tires
- Storm-related debris (e.g., trees, telephone wires)
- Items fallen from vehicles (e.g., tools, materials)
Dangers of Roof Racks
Roof racks, while useful for extra storage, can be hazardous if overloaded. Items may fly off into the path of other cars, or an overloaded rack can cause a vehicle to lose control or flip over.
Preventing Accidents
To avoid accidents caused by road debris:
- Stay focused and undistracted while driving
- Slow down in adverse conditions (e.g., snow, rain, road obstacles)
- Be vigilant and ready to react to unexpected items on the road
Seeking Legal Assistance
Seeking legal counsel from experienced Iowa car accident attorneys such as those at Walker, Billingsley & Bair can provide invaluable support in filing insurance claims or pursuing personal injury lawsuits. With a comprehensive understanding of Iowa law, their team can help gather evidence, establish liability, and secure the compensation deserved by accident victims.
Suffering from the aftermath of a car accident shouldn't impede your pursuit of justice and fair compensation. The Iowa injury lawyers at Walker, Billingsley & Bair work hard to level the field between injured Iowans and insurance companies.
That's why we provide this FREE book; The Legal Insider's Guide to Iowa Car Accidents: 7 Secrets to Not Wreck Your Case. To learn more about what our legal team will do to help you protect your Iowa injury claim, contact Walker, Billingsley & Bair to schedule a no-cost consultation. Call 641-792-3595 to order your free accident book today.