Car Accident Claims Explained | PersonalInjuryAttys.com

Car Accident Injuries: What You Can Claim For

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of serious unintentional injury in the United States. Every year, millions of people are injured in car accidents, many suffering life-altering consequences. If you've been injured in a car accident due to someone else's negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

PersonalInjuryAttys.com is not a law firm and cannot review your case. This page explains how car accident claims work and the work a personal injury attorney would typically do, including assessing whether there is a claim worth pursuing against the at-fault driver or their insurer.

Common Types of Car Accident Claim

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end accidents happen when one vehicle strikes another vehicle from behind. The driver of the rear vehicle is almost always at fault. These collisions often cause whiplash injuries to the neck and spine, which can lead to chronic pain and long-term disability even if the accident seems minor at first.

T-Bone Accidents (Broadside)

T-bone accidents occur at intersections when one vehicle's side is struck by another vehicle's front or rear. These collisions are particularly dangerous because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or back. T-bone accidents often result in serious injuries.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are among the most severe type of car accident, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. These accidents typically occur when drivers drive the wrong way on a highway or misjudge passing opportunities. The combined impact force is extreme.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

In a hit-and-run accident, the at-fault driver leaves the scene without providing information. If the driver is identified, you can pursue a personal injury claim against their insurance. If the driver is not identified, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving—including texting, phone calls, eating, and adjusting navigation systems—causes thousands of accidents annually. Per NHTSA, sending or reading a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for about five seconds — at 55 mph, that is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Phone records and vehicle data can be used to establish distraction, which is one reason evidence is worth preserving early.

DUI/DWI Accidents

Drunk driving is a criminal act that causes severe injuries. If you were hit by an impaired driver, you may have both a personal injury claim and a criminal case against the driver. Drunk driving accidents often result in punitive damages.

Rideshare Accidents (Uber, Lyft)

If you were injured as a passenger or by a rideshare vehicle, you may have claims against the rideshare driver, the rideshare company, and other negligent parties. Rideshare companies carry significant liability insurance.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. Some injuries are apparent immediately, while others develop over time:

Whiplash: Neck and upper back injuries from rapid acceleration and deceleration
Fractures and Broken Bones: Broken ribs, legs, arms, pelvis, and spine injuries
Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and long-term cognitive damage
Spinal Cord Injuries: Partial or complete paralysis affecting mobility and quality of life
Internal Injuries: Organ damage, internal bleeding, and soft tissue injuries
Lacerations and Scarring: Cuts, wounds, and permanent disfigurement
Psychological Trauma: PTSD, anxiety, depression, and fear of driving
Back and Neck Pain: Chronic pain conditions requiring ongoing treatment

What You Can Recover

In a car accident claim, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Economic Damages (Provable Losses)

Medical bills and treatment costs
Surgical and emergency room expenses
Ongoing rehabilitation and physical therapy
Lost wages and lost earning capacity
Vehicle repair or replacement
Transportation costs

Non-Economic Damages (Subjective Losses)

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and PTSD
Loss of enjoyment of life
Scarring and disfigurement
Loss of consortium (injury impact on relationships)
Reduced quality of life

What a Car Accident Attorney Does for You

PersonalInjuryAttys.com does not provide legal services and cannot review your case. This is the kind of work a personal injury attorney would typically do on a car accident claim:

Establishes fault: Obtains the police report, scene photographs, vehicle damage evidence and witness statements to show who was responsible.
Documents the injuries: Collects your medical records and, where needed, instructs medical experts to set out your treatment and future care needs.
Deals with the insurers: Takes over contact with the at-fault driver's insurance company, so you are not negotiating while you are still recovering.
Values the claim properly: Adds up medical bills, lost income, future care and pain and suffering rather than accepting the first offer made.
Can litigate if needed: If the insurer will not offer a fair amount, an attorney can file suit and take the case to trial.
Watches the filing deadline: Every state sets a statute of limitations, and a claim filed after it can be barred permanently.
Puts the fee in writing: Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee, but the percentage and the treatment of court costs vary — agree the terms in writing before you retain anyone.

How to speak to an attorney

This site is an information resource and cannot review your case or connect you with a lawyer. To speak to a personal injury attorney, use your state or local bar association's lawyer referral service.

How to find an attorney

Bar referral services are run by the legal profession, not by us. Time limits apply to injury claims — see our statute of limitations page.

Notice. PersonalInjuryAttys.com is an information resource, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. This website is designed for general informational purposes only. The information presented should not be construed as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits. Do not delay seeking medical attention if you've been injured in a car accident.

Car Accident Attorney