Mike Bottaro car accident attorney

Types of Auto Accident Injuries

Did you get hurt in a Rhode Island car accident that was not your fault? If so, the last thing you should have to worry about is how you will pay your medical bills or cover everyday living expenses while you get better. Unfortunately, countless crash victims experience precisely this type of uncertainty every day. You should know you have legal options if someone else was to blame.

Mike and his team at Bottaro Law want to help you understand your legal rights and identify all possible sources of compensation for your injuries. We have earned a reputation in Rhode Island for our efforts in fighting for accident victims and aggressively negotiating with insurance companies to get maximum settlements for injured people. Let our dedicated team handle every detail of your case so you can focus on your health. 

Get help from a top Rhode Island car accident law firm now. Contact us for a free consultation today. With our exclusive “No Fee Guarantee,” you can count on us to offer case reviews, 24/7 service, and effective legal representation without any upfront charges. You only pay if we win you money for your car accident injuries.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries in Rhode Island

Car accidents can injure vehicle occupants in numerous ways, from blunt-force trauma to flying shrapnel to ejection from the vehicle. Here are some examples of the most common types of injuries from car accidents:

  • Traumatic brain injuries – A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a violent jolt, blow, or penetrating wound damages the brain. TBIs range in severity from relatively mild injuries, such as concussions, to severe injuries, such as skull fractures, which can result in permanent brain damage.
  • Spinal cord injuries – A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord is damaged, leaving a patient partially or completely paralyzed below the injury site. 
  • Whiplash – Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that primarily affects the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Vehicle occupants can suffer severe whiplash injuries even in relatively low-speed accidents, especially rear-end collisions.
  • Back injuries – The back is highly vulnerable in a car accident, and crash injuries can have long-lasting impacts on the back. Common back injuries from car accidents include vertebral fractures, sprains, and herniated discs. 
  • Joint injuries – Joint injuries frequently occur in car accidents when vehicle occupants experience violent twisting, bending, crushing, or blunt-force impacts. The most common joint injuries cause damage to the shoulders, elbows, knees, wrists, and ankles.
  • Burn injuries – Crash victims can suffer burn injuries in multiple ways, including from impact-related fires and explosions, chemical burns from exposure to corrosive substances, and friction burns from contact with rough surfaces.
  • Bone fractures – Broken bones are among the most common car accident injuries because the extreme forces of a collision can easily bend, twist, and snap skeletal structures. Common examples include arm, wrist, leg, collarbone, rib, back, and hip fractures.
  • Permanent disfigurement – Examples of permanent disfigurement from car accidents include scars from deep skin wounds, scars from burn injuries, and the loss of limbs or digits from crash-related amputations.
  • Internal injuries – Internal injuries are extremely serious because they are not always obvious. Common internal injuries from car crashes include organ damage and internal bleeding.

Typical Expenses Related to Treating and Recovering from Car Crash Injuries

When you file a car accident claim in Rhode Island, the compensation you receive is meant to reimburse you for the losses you incur due to the accident. No amount of money can ever undo what you have endured, but fair compensation can go a long way toward making you “whole” or helping you get as close to the state you would be in if the accident had never occurred.

Common types of reimbursable treatment and recovery expenses related to car accident injuries include:

  • Ambulance expenses
  • Emergency room bills and other hospital expenses
  • Out-of-pocket costs for doctor’s office visits
  • Bills for surgeries, diagnostic tests, and laboratory fees
  • Bills from physical therapy and rehabilitation services
  • Out-of-pocket prescription and over-the-counter drug costs
  • Travel costs from going to and from medical appointments
  • The costs of in-home care or accessibility modifications

Filing an Injury Claim After a Car Accident in Rhode Island

The steps you take after a car accident can significantly impact your legal rights and the strength of your injury claim. You can protect your legal and physical well-being by:

  • Seeking prompt medical care to have your injuries diagnosed, treated, and documented
  • Following your doctor’s care plan to support your body’s natural healing process 
  • Gathering evidence from the crash, including photos of the wreckage, contact and insurance details from the other driver, and statements from eyewitnesses
  • Hanging on to medical bills, proof of income, and other crash-related documents
  • Watching what you say to the other driver, the insurance company, and any other third parties before you review your case with an attorney
  • Refraining from sharing information or photos online while your claim is pending
  • Contacting our knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Rhode Island for legal help

Who Can Be Held Liable for My Car Accident Injuries?

To obtain compensation for injuries from a car accident, a plaintiff must prove that the other driver or some other party was responsible for the crash. Depending on the circumstances, any of the following parties could be liable for your car accident injuries:

  • The other driver – Another driver involved in the crash might be liable if their negligent, reckless, or wrongful behavior somehow contributed to the wreck.
  • Another road user – Another road user, such as a pedestrian or cyclist, might be liable if their actions triggered the crash.
  • An employer – If the at-fault driver was traveling for work-related purposes, the employer might have vicarious liability for their employee.
  • A manufacturer – The manufacturer of a defective car part might be liable if the defective part contributed to the accident.
  • A local government – A government agency responsible for local road maintenance might be liable if poor road conditions contributed to the accident.