Charleston Attorney for Treatment Costs from Car Accidents

Nobody expects to get into an accident. Along with the sudden physical pain and the emotional trauma, many people who have been injured in car accidents feel shocked and overwhelmed by the expenses they incur because of their injuries.

Even relatively “minor” injuries such as whiplash can end up costing huge amounts of money from things like emergency room visits, follow-up appointments, and the various forms of treatment they receive. Often, DUI accidents cause worse injuries, including paralysis. Those who suffer some form of temporary or permanent disability may require ongoing care and several types of therapy to be able to function from day to day. Furthermore, they will often be forced to take time off work, preventing them from earning the wages they need to take care of themselves and their family.

If you have been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for not only your immediate medical expenses but also the ongoing treatment costs that have resulted from your injuries. Understanding what types of costs you are eligible to recover can help you feel confident about seeking the treatment you need. It can also help you build a stronger claim for your car accident losses.

The experienced Charleston attorneys for treatment costs from car accidents at Murphy Crantford Meehan understand what it takes to build your claim, negotiate a fair settlement, and even take your claim to court if necessary. Call us today at (843) 417-0469 or contact us online for a free consultation. We will listen to your story and your needs, and we can talk you through your legal options.

Medical Expenses You Can Claim in Charleston, SC

Many people who are injured in car accidents need to make several visits to hospitals, doctor’s offices, and pharmacies throughout the course of their injury and recovery time. When you file a car accident claim, you are entitled to seek compensation for all these expenses, including:

•       Visits to the emergency room
•       Ambulance rides
•       Appointments with your primary care physician
•       Appointments with medical specialists
•       Diagnostic tests and scans (X-rays, MRI, CT scans, etc.)
•       Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
•       Surgeries and operations

As you prepare for your claim, it is essential that you maintain a good record-keeping practice for all documents relating to your medical expenses. Doing so will allow you and your personal injury attorney to begin to determine how much compensation you should seek to claim.

Post-Hospital Treatment Costs

Unfortunately, hospital-related medical expenses are only the beginning of the story for many people who have been injured in car accidents. The severity of some injuries means that they require ongoing treatment for an extended period after their initial hospital visits. For those who have received permanent disabilities because of their injuries, treatment and support will need to continue for the rest of their lives.

When you are filing a car accident claim, your lawyer will take these considerations into account and will include calculations of your ongoing and future care in the amount they seek to recover on your behalf. These treatment costs may include: 

• Physical therapy – This is a form of treatment that employs exercises and manual manipulation to improve a person’s ability to move and range of motion after being injured.
• Occupational therapy – This type of therapy focuses on improving a patient’s ability to perform activities in daily life, so they can adapt to the disability they have suffered because of the accident.
• Medical devices – Even if a person suffers a temporary disability, they may require the use of medical devices, such as crutches, neck braces, or wheelchairs. Those who have long-term disabilities may need these devices as well, and they may also require prosthetics.
• Vehicle modifications – If a person suffers paralysis because of their injuries, they may need to modify their vehicle in a way that allows them to enter, exit, and operate their car.
• Home modifications – Those whose mobility is seriously affected by the accident often need to make modifications or renovations to their homes to make them more accessible. This can include installing equipment that helps them go up and down stairs, lowering kitchen counters, and installing rails in the bathroom.
• Reconstructive surgery – People whose injuries include severe burns or significant facial trauma may require plastic surgery.
• Mental health therapy – It is common for people who are injured in accidents to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, people who suffer disability, disfigurement, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often struggle with serious depression. The ongoing costs of receiving treatment from psychologists, counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists should be included when calculating the amount you should seek to recover.

Treatment Journal

As you build your car accident claim, you may find it helpful to maintain a treatment journal. This can be a physical book or an electronic file in which you make daily notes on the various forms of treatment you are receiving and how helpful you are finding them. It can also be a place for you to write down the levels of physical pain you are feeling each day, as well as the psychological journey you have been experiencing since the accident.

A treatment journal is not only a great way for you to maintain your own awareness of how the accident has affected you, but it can also serve as a means of jogging your memory if you are ever called upon to testify about what you have been through since you received your injuries. This information can help strengthen your claims for compensation.

Contact an Experienced Charleston Car Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a car accident in Charleston, the experienced car accident attorneys of Murphy Crantford Meehan are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our team understands the challenges people face in the days, months, and years after suffering an injury, and we know how to successfully seek justice for our clients. 

Call us today at (843) 417-0469 or contact us online for a free consultation. We are ready to get to work for you.