It only takes one negligent driver to cause a car accident that can turn your life upside-down in seconds. Suddenly, you are left with a severe injury. You may have been taken to the hospital for treatment. And at some point, doctors may have told you something nobody ever wants to hear – you need surgery.
Just the thought of needing surgery after a car accident can be stressful. All kinds of questions may go through your head. How long will it take for me to recover? When can I go home? When can I go back to work? And how am I going to pay for this?
If a negligent driver caused the accident that left you hurt, you shouldn’t have to pay. But recovering financial compensation can be a complicated process without the help of an experienced car accident lawyer protecting your rights and advocating for your best interests.
Surgery can have a physical and financial impact.
Common types of surgery that people need after a car accident include:
- Orthopedic surgery to stabilize broken bones.
- Back surgery (such as spinal fusion or vertebroplasty).
- Brain surgery (to stop bleeding or repair a skull fracture).
- Surgery to repair damaged internal organs.
- Amputation.
- Soft tissue surgery on torn muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
- Cosmetic surgery to repair scarring or another disfigurement.
Surgery is expensive, but there are other medical expenses associated with it. These include the cost of ambulance services; imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays; other diagnostic tests; hospitalization after surgery; medication; physical therapy; home health equipment such as wheelchairs; home health care; and follow-up visits with doctors and specialists.
There may also be a need for further surgeries in the future. For example, if someone suffers a knee injury in a car accident, they may need short-term treatment. But they are also more likely to need a total knee replacement years later. Cosmetic surgery can be an ongoing process to restore appearance as much as possible.
The total cost of surgery and related medical expenses can easily reach tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Insurance companies are supposed to cover all of the costs of surgery for injuries suffered in a car accident caused by negligence. But their main interest is in paying as little as possible.
An experienced car accident attorney can help.
Insurance companies handle claims every day and have developed many different tactics to try to limit compensation for surgery.
For example, they may:
- Question the seriousness of your injury.
- Seek access to your medical history to look for evidence of a pre-existing injury.
- Question the need for surgery.
- Seek an independent medical exam.
- Argue that the accident was partially your fault.
Insurance companies have lawyers working to protect their interests. That’s why you need a lawyer who will fight for your rights every step of the way.
An attorney can investigate your accident to gather evidence that proves a negligent driver was at fault. Your lawyer can also keep close track of your medical expenses and other damages that you suffered. This helps to build a strong case for a financial compensation claim, which may be resolved in a negotiated settlement or a jury verdict.
Gervelis Law Firm has been fighting for the injured in Columbus, Canfield, Akron, Toledo, Warren, and throughout Ohio for decades. If you need surgery after a car accident, we can help ensure you receive the compensation you're entitled to under Ohio law. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.