Top 10 Commonly Asked Personal Injury Case Questions

For a lot of people, the process of being involved in a personal injury lawsuit can be confusing and frustrating, especially for those recovering from injury or grieving the loss of a loved one. At Van Law Firm, we get asked a lot of questions regarding our clients’ cases, as well as the legal process as a whole. 

We’ve compiled a list of 10 questions we get asked frequently and answered them down below:

Is there a difference between minor and  serious car accidents?

• Legally, there are no explicit parameters that can differentiate two accidents as being minor or serious. However, it is usually assumed that the worse a vehicle has been damaged, the higher the injury risk to drivers/passengers. In general, we would probably expect more injuries to come from an accident in which a car has been totaled rather than a fender bender, but this varies by case. For the most part, an accident that is considered “serious” involves at least one person who has been injured for weeks, months, or permanently. 

What are the most common injuries in car accidents?

• A lot of times, the most common accident-related injuries are not necessarily the easiest to see. Head injuries such as headaches, concussions, and whiplash, as well as soft-tissue injuries such as strains, sprains, and bruising are among the most frequent injuries recorded after a crash. 

I don’t have money right now, can I still hire a personal injury attorney?

• Yes, you can– most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees, which means that they get paid out of any settlement that you are awarded in your case. You should always be wary of a personal injury attorney requesting money before the case has started. 

Should I contact the police immediately following a car accident?

• Generally, the police don’t always respond to accidents with no injuries and minimal property damage. If the other party is at fault, however, it may be beneficial to ask police to come and determine which party was at fault and how the accident occured in the first place. This helps prevent any future discrepancies about what actually happened. 

Should I obtain a police report?

• The main benefit of obtaining a police report is that it shows which party was at fault. It’s possible to obtain one yourself, but we can handle that part for you. For more info about police reports in Las Vegas, click here. 

How long does it take to get a police report in Clark County (Las Vegas)?

• From date of request, typically about seven days. 

I am unable to pay for medical treatment, am I still eligible for a suit?

• Yes, you are. If you are unable to pay for medical treatment, we can help locate a provider who will agree to work on a lien– that means that, much like a lawyer’s contingency fee, they agree to be paid from a portion of the settlement in a case. That way, you are still treated, even without paying up front. 

I didn’t seek medical treatment immediately following the accident. Can I still file a claim?

• Yes– not all injuries appear immediately after an accident. For most cases, it is best to pursue legal action right away after an accident, but if treatment starts relatively soon following the incident and the injuries in question are linked to the crash, you are still eligible to pursue a claim. 

Is whiplash considered a serious injury following an accident?

• Whiplash is a result of one or multiple sharp jerks to the head and neck, typically in situations that involve sudden changes in momentum, such as auto accidents, sports incidents, and slips. Symptoms can range from mild to very serious, and a large number of patients feel the effects of whiplash for years afterward. For more information regarding whiplash, click here. 

Am I able to claim lost wages?

• If we are able to prove that an accident forced you to miss work or will continue to do so, then yes, we will usually successfully claim lost wages. Compensation differs based on the plaintiff’s pay scale– salaried employees are rather straightforward, whereas commission employees are required to demonstrate an earnings history in order to properly show a loss of income. 

For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000

If you or someone you know has any other questions regarding a personal injury case, don’t hesitate to call the experienced team of Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Van Law Firm. We’ve won over $50 million in settlements for our clients thus far, and that’s not counting what we can make for you. Call (702) 529-1011 for a free consultation.