Chicago Car Crash Aftermath: 5 Resources to Help You Get Back on Your Feet
A car crash is one of the most disruptive events in life. It can destroy your vehicle, leave you disabled, and make it nearly impossible to live. With the right assistance, many people can keep moving forward.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we are here to help people like you overcome the challenges of recovering from your car accident. Read on for information about resources that can help you after an accident in Chicago.
Emergency Medical Services
The first resource you need after a car accident, even if you feel fine, is emergency medical services. Going to the emergency room is important because it gets you medical attention faster than any other option. Car accident injuries can go unseen, and getting treatment sooner rather than later is always a better option.
Aside from the medical benefits, going to the emergency room can help with any legal actions you take later. The exam reports can be used as evidence of damages in a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Even if you feel fine right after the accident, seeking medical attention to help your health or future legal actions is in your best interest.
Chicago has several emergency medical care facilities that can handle the trauma of a car accident. These include:
If you need medical attention, the fastest way to get it is to call 9-1-1. Any of these facilities can provide the medical care that you need. Don’t hesitate to get medical care.
Rehabilitation Services
While emergency medical services provide short-term medical care, you may need long-term care. More specifically, you may need occupational, speech, or physical therapy to fully recover from your accident. Learn about the different types of therapy.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy focuses on retraining muscles to function correctly and strengthening them to restore function. Car accidents can cause a lot of damage to muscles, and they need to be reconditioned so that they work. An example is a leg injury that stops you from walking for three months.
During those three months, your muscles will heal but need to be strengthened to return to their pre-accident state. A physical therapist will work with you using specific movements to target specific muscles and rebuild them so you can use them.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy focuses on teaching your body how to do things again. In this case, you’ll focus on skills rather than specific muscles. Accidents that cause brain injuries usually lead to physical therapy to teach you how to do things again. Writing is an excellent example of this.
Difficult writing after a head injury is not uncommon. Occupational therapists help people relearn skills like writing so they can return to a more normal and independent life.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is similar to occupational therapy but only focuses on re-teaching you how to talk. This may also be necessary after a head injury. Since speech is a complex but important part of how people function, you’ll work with a speech therapist to redevelop this specific skill.
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Mental Health Services
A car accident of any kind is a traumatic experience, and it is well known that some people who survive traumatic car accidents suffer debilitating mental health effects. One of the most common instances of this is refusing to get back into a car. You may need help from mental health professionals to overcome the impact of this trauma.
PTSD is not uncommon among people who survive accidents. The more severe and near-death the accident is, the more likely you are to develop PTSD. Fortunately, there are mental health resources that can help you with this.
What you most likely need is trauma-informed therapy, which addresses the underlying cause and stress while helping you work through it to recover. You can get mental health support through several options.
Working with a licensed and certified therapist is widely considered to be the best option. However, there are also dedicated non-profits and independent resources that facilitate support groups.
Car Repair and Replacement Services
One of the first things people think about after an accident is fixing their vehicle. You can work on having your vehicle repaired or replaced in several ways, but you should start with your insurance company and make decisions based on the payout.
In many cases, you may not get the total amount to replace your car with a new one. The decision is based on several factors, such as the depreciated value of your vehicle before the accident.
Insurance companies have a vested interest in getting you to accept a smaller payout so that they can maintain profit margins, and you may have to fight them to get the full amount. In this case, consult a lawyer before doing anything.
Alternatively, getting your car fixed under insurance is much easier. The insurance company will give you a list of certified repair shops; you just have to take your car to one. After they assess the damage, they bill the insurance company directly for the repairs. Make sure you choose the best repair shop from your list of options. That way, you get the best repairs possible.
Legal Resources
Legal resources may also provide you with the help that you need during your recovery. Insurance may not be enough to cover the costs of your accident. Many accident victims find themselves in this position. Your next option is to file a legal case against the at-fault driver for the costs of the damages that you suffered, and that insurance won’t cover.
This is a personal injury lawsuit, which should be filed by a personal injury attorney. If successful, you can claim compensation for all the damages and more based on the specifics of your case. That compensation can make it much easier to manage the costs of your recovery.
More than that, your personal injury lawyer can help you deal with things like negotiating with the insurance company. If the insurance company offers you a low settlement, you don’t have to take it. Instead, you can hire a lawyer to negotiate with them and handle the claims process. Many accident victims appreciate this, but few realize it is possible beforehand.
Choose Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for Your Legal Support
Getting the right legal support can greatly affect your post-accident recovery. While many personal injury attorneys are available throughout the city, they are not all the same. Be selective about who you choose and vet them well to ensure the best possible results.
At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we work with accident victims just like you every day. Our goal is to help you through the legal process by making it as easy and painless as possible. We do this by leveraging years of experience and expertise in personal injury lawsuits and negotiations to secure you the best possible outcome.
225 W Wacker Dr #1660, Chicago, IL 60606