One of the most common injuries we handle are whiplash or neck injury claims. This type of injury is often caused by rear-end crashes but can happen in any traumatic collision.  
Insurance adjusters often try to claim these injuries are a minor inconvenience. They might also insinuate the injury was pre-existing, is being exaggerated, or doesn’t exist at all. Do not be fooled. Neck injuries need to be taken seriously and can often include damage to discs or ligaments. See a doctor right away if you are having severe neck pain after a collision. Back and neck injuries can cause discomfort, numbness, stiffness, soreness and disability ranging from a few weeks to a lifetime. 

Another common injury caused by car accidents is damage to the upper, mid, or low back. Insurance adjusters often fight these cases by claiming the  was already present before the wreck. If you are having back pain after a car accident, don’t wait to see a doctor or hospital. Get treatment right away  to document that this is a new injury. It is not uncommon for back injuries to be severe and high-value cases due to the acute and chronic pain these injuries cause. 

Severe automobile or motorcycle collisions or pedestrian or bicyclist strikes can result in crushed limbs. Unfortunately, serious cases can often result in a limb amputation. Oftentimes, the at-fault person or company tries to avoid blame.  We have seen every ridiculous excuse in the book, including that a pedestrian failed to dive out of the way of a careless driver or that a motorcyclist who was stopped at a traffic light was speeding. 
Amputation cases are often large, high-value, catastrophic claims. These cases often require overcoming the defendant’s reluctance to accept responsibility and pay damages.  
Testimony of surgeons who removed the arm or leg is necessary to prove why the limb could not be saved.  Other experts may have to testify regarding the type and cost of a prosthetic and ongoing costs for maintenance and replacement.  Most artificial arms and legs require replacement every three to six years, depending on the quality and how it is used.

 Most often be proven by expert medical testimony. Insurance companies love to claim that traumatic injuries such as meniscus tears, bursitis, tendon and ligament ruptures to the ACL, PCL, LCL or MCL were caused by an old injury and are not related to a collision.  The testimony of your treating orthopedic and primary care doctors can be used to show that the injury did not exist before the wreck, and that it is related to the accident. 

Internal injuries can often cause long term damage to your body, meaning a more serious and larger civil case. Cases involving damage to your pancreas, liver, spleen, bladder, intestines, or internal bleeding are often high-value, and more complex, claims leading to larger settlements or awards. 

Although not considered “serious” by insurance adjusters, soft tissue injuries can be very painful and may be an indication of more serious injury. Symptoms such as bruising, contusions, swelling, and lumps should be examined by a doctor.  Those visible signs of injury could be an indication of a fracture or crush injury or a herniated disk.  Additionally, take pictures of any blackened or bruised areas.  Seat belt bruises are common in more severe collisions.  Failing to take photographs of your bruises and injuries means permanent loss of this important evidence.  It can be extremely difficult to “explain” a bruise or contusion to an insurance adjuster or a Jury without good photos. 

Explaining spinal cord injuries involving paralysis to a judge and jury are essential trial lawyer skills. Our office has handled many cases for paraplegic and quadriplegic clients.  Our approach is to work with doctors and life-care planners to determine the impacts the injury will have on the victim’s life. Future medical expenses and income losses that are a result of the injury will also be considered.  Unfortunately, a paralysis victim may require a lifetime of future medical care, sometimes costing millions of dollars.  While many people heroically return to work in some capacity, others do not.  For those who do return to work, it may be in a reduced capacity, which could mean less money will be earned. 
Our office coordinates with treating physicians, life-care planning professionals, and economic and vocational experts to estimate the future needs of spinal cord clients.  Atlanta has some of the country’s finest physicians. We have worked with doctors at the Shepard Center and Emory University to assess the condition and needs of clients.

Even cases where there is no question who caused the crash, when a person is fatally injured and passes away, the loss to the survivors is enormous. Family members may be entitled to recover damages for the full value of the life of the deceased.  We have recovered millions of dollars for the surviving family members of  victims.

Head and brain injuries can occur in both high- and low-speed car accidents. Any headaches, dizziness, or memory or personality changes that occur after a crash should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be proven by clinical observation and/or by diagnostic studies. Evidence can include MRIs and testimony of specialists, clinicians, and neurologists. 
There is no such thing as a “minor” or “mild” brain injury. Even a concussion or being in a short coma can lead to serious long term cognitive impairment.  If you experience loss of sight, hearing, or smell, or feel confusion or difficulty completing every day tasks, it could be a sign of neurological damage. You should see a doctor right away.

Facial bruising or a black eye can be a symptom of a broken jaw, fractured orbital bone, or other facial damage. Airbags and steering wheel impacts are known to cause such injuries, even if you are wearing seat belt.  However, you can expect that the insurance adjuster might claim that your injury came from not wearing a seat belt. You can prove that you were, in fact, wearing your seat belt using electronic data recorded by your car. 

Car crash cases in which bones are fractured, broken, or shattered can be high-value claims. If you require surgery for implants, like pins, plates, or rods, or to reconstruct a joint, this is a permanent injury that is likely to cause future pain and limitations.  Even being in a cast or splint is a major inconvenience on your lifestyle for which you deserve full compensation. 
Other fractures may be less dramatic or more difficult to detect, such as stress fractures or compression fractures. Be sure to describe any unusual or painful symptoms to your doctor.  Ongoing, unexplained pain in a limb, joint, or spine can be a sign of a stress or burst fracture that may need medical attention. 

A broken or cracked sternum or rib can be both extremely painful and frustrating. Often a blow to the chest can result in a collapsed lung, bruised or torn cartilage or painful fracture for which there is little direct medical care.  To make matters worse, the medical bills may be small compared to other injuries that are less painful.  You may hear an insurance adjuster or agent tell you the bills just aren’t “that high.”  A good car accident lawyer knows from experience that a chest injury makes it extremely painful to breath, cough, sneeze or laugh.  Do not accept excuses from at-fault drivers and their insurance carriers.  Testimony from medical professionals should be used to prove just how painful and debilitating a chest injury can be. 

Our firm can handle any injury suffered in a car accident, crush injuries such as broken bones, road rash, burns, lacerations, shoulder injuries, and more. We work carefully with your doctors and accident.

Even though the facts may seem obvious, the injured victim or Plaintiff has the burden of proving everything in his or her case. This means that when you have been hurt and are bringing a claim against an at-fault driver you must prove every part of your case, including who negligently caused the accident and that your medical care and all of your bills and expenses were made necessary by, meaning approximately caused by, the crash. 

Physical evidence that can be used to prove a car accident case can include photographs, drone recordings, witness testimony and interviews, the police report, video recordings from the vehicles or surrounding businesses, measurements of the scene and skid marks, cell phone recordings and photos, vehicle inspection records, electronic data downloads from the ECM, manufacturers data, 911 operator recordings, EMS and first responder statements and records, police camera recordings from the body camera and patrol car, and cell phone records. 

First, physical evidence, damage to the vehicles, and the scene should be photographed  as soon as possible. Injures are also “evidence,” and you should take many pictures of your injury when it is fresh and as you heal and recover.  For evidence that is not in your control, such as surveillance video, auto maintenance records and electronic data, etc. a preservation of evidence letter can, in many instances, be sent.  If a defendant receives a request to preserve evidence and later destroys it, knowing that you may be making a claim, the person or company could be sanctioned or punished for “spoliation of evidence.” 
If you are worried about preservation or spoliation of evidence by the at-fault driver or company, or by anyone else, consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney is usually a great idea.