What to Do After a Sprained or Torn Ligament in a Virginia Car Wreck
Unlike a broken arm or serious laceration, ligament spraining and tearing isn’t immediately obvious. Symptoms don’t always appear on the day of the accident, and with the pain of other injuries, you may not be aware of the issue. Unfortunately, soft tissue injuries often get worse with time, especially if they aren’t caught and treated quickly. It is possible to end up with extreme, long-term pain and even permanent physical disability after a torn ligament.
Seeing a Richmond area doctor as soon as possible after any wreck is crucial to protecting your legal rights. Unfortunately, a torn ligament won’t appear on an x-ray or MRI directly after the crash. It may take time for a diagnosis, which is why it is important to follow your doctor’s orders and quickly report any pain or soreness so there’s a paper trail on your symptoms. When the tear is finally found, treatment may involve surgery, anti-inflammatory prescriptions, and long-term physical therapy.
That’s why the critical next step after addressing your medical condition is to get in touch with an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer. You need a qualified legal professional to investigate the car crash and prove your ligament injury occurred in the collision. After that process, a lawyer can negotiate with insurance to get the full and fair financial compensation you actually deserve.
In some cases, the best source of compensation will instead come from a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. In torn ligament car accident cases, potential damages could cover:
- Hospital bills after the car crash and other medical expenses from your torn ligament injury
- Income lost if you couldn’t immediately return to work
- Future earning capacity if the torn ligament results in permanent disability and you can’t return to the same job
- Non-economic compensation covering pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
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