Will My Auto Accident Case Have a Higher Value if I Need to Get Surgery?

Victims of car crashes often need surgery to repair the damage done by the accident. For example, if the crash causes damage to internal organs, ligaments, the spinal cord or even the brain, doctors may need to do surgery to help the victim recover or survive in some cases.

It is understandable that some people would assume a claim involving a victim who had surgery would be worth more money than a claim for someone who did not need surgery. However, that is not always true. Sometimes surgery puts the victim close to where he or she was before the accident. Sometimes surgery only stabilizes an injury, and the victim needs long-term treatment.

Below, our experienced attorneys discuss how surgery may impact the value of a car accident claim. If you have questions about the value of your claim, give us a call today to schedule a free consultation. Our firm is dedicated to pursuing maximum compensation for victims of another’s negligence.

Surgery and the Value of Your Claim

Doctors may be able to fix the damage caused by the crash by performing surgery. That is not to say you will be able to get back to normal right away. There may be a recovery period and additional treatment before doctors give you a clean bill of health or tell you that your injuries have healed, and you may still have some minor symptoms.

If this happens to you, your claim may not be worth as much as someone who had surgery but is left with long-term disabilities or symptoms. You can seek compensation for the cost of surgery, but the cost of additional treatment is likely to be much less than the cost of long-term treatment for someone who has permanent medical issues.

However, these two situations are extremes. There are many other injury victims who fall somewhere between those two ends of the spectrum. Some injury victims respond well to treatment and end up regaining lost mobility or finding a way to manage ongoing pain so they can still live their lives. Some victims are left permanently disabled but have a much more difficult time managing ongoing health problems.

That is why the value of any car crash claim depends on numerous factors specific to that case, such as the injuries suffered, how the victim responds to treatment, and the victim’s long-term prognosis determined by doctors.

Another factor to consider is how the insurance company is likely to view the need for surgery. To them, injury victims who have had surgery are healed and they do not need any more compensation, beyond the cost of the surgery itself.

However, that may not always be true. Even after surgery, victims may need extensive rehabilitation to even have a chance of regaining what they lost because of the injury.

What Does This Mean for You as You Consider Surgery?

You should not factor in the value of your claim as you consider whether to get surgery. You should find an experienced attorney to manage your case and rely on him or her to seek full compensation for your damages.

Your focus should be on doing what is best for you. Weigh the risks and benefits of surgery, along with what the doctor tells you. Discuss it with your family. You may even want to seek a second opinion, as another doctor could confirm or disagree with the first doctor’s assessment of the situation.

Work with your attorney to make sure all relevant medical expenses are included in your claim for compensation so your attorney can pursue maximum compensation.

It is also important to keep your doctors informed about the progress of your recovery. Inform them if a treatment does not seem to be working or if new symptoms develop. The only way to have a chance to obtain compensation for treatment of a medical issue is if it is documented in your medical records.

Injuries That May Need Surgery

Car crashes can result in a wide variety of injuries that may require surgery, sometimes immediately after the crash.

This may include:

• Broken bones
• Damage to ligaments
• Damage to internal organs
• Spinal cord injuries (fractures, herniated discs, etc.)
• Brain injuries
• Severe burns, such as if there was an explosion or fire
• Head injuries

Call Today to Discuss Your Crash. No Upfront Fees

Contacting an attorney is one of the most important steps you should take after getting injured in a crash. Insurance companies are notorious for denying claims or offering far less than some claims are worth. However, the Maryland-based auto accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl are focused on securing full compensation for your injuries.

You can schedule a free consultation by giving us a call. It is important to note we do not charge upfront fees and are only paid if our clients are compensated for their damages.

Millions Recovered. No Upfront Fees. Call 410-907-3957.