If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be under significant financial stress due to your medical expenses and, in some cases, your inability to return to work because of your injuries. It is understandable that you would want to resolve your case and obtain fair compensation from the at-fault driver as soon as possible. However, it is very important that you make sure that your injuries have completely resolved and that your medical providers are in a position to state whether or not you have sustained a permanent injury or will require future medical expenses. For these reasons alone, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer.” For example, you may wonder whether it is a good decision to agree to a settlement or if you should attempt to take your case to trial.

What Is a Personal Injury Settlement?

The United States Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reports that the vast majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court. This means that the two parties come to an agreement on a fair amount of compensation for the victim’s damages and an arrangement to pay out that compensation. In order to receive all of the compensation that you are entitled to, you want a lawyer who prepares your case as if it is going to trial so that the insurance company knows your lawyer will take it to trial if the case is not settled. Your lawyer will also have prepared and documented all aspects of your damages, including past and future wage loss, past and future medical expenses, permanent injuries, emotional injuries, as well as an extensive description of your pain and suffering.

Preparing for settlement negotiations is every bit as important as preparing for a trial, as you will need to be sure that you have sufficient leverage to work toward a favorable outcome. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident so that he or she can help you gather timely evidence, including photos and videos of the crash, police reports, 911 call recordings, statements from witnesses, and detailed records of your medical treatment, all of which can be presented during negotiations to demonstrate to the other party that you have a strong case.

If you suffer a spinal cord injury, it can have serious repercussions on your physical and mental health, as well as your finances. If you have sustained a spinal cord injury that occurred because of someone else’s negligence, a compassionate personal injury attorney can help you determine your options for holding that person responsible for your damages.

Symptoms of a Spine Injury

An Injury to the spinal cord or the surrounding nerves most often occurs when trauma fractures the bones in the spine (i.e., the vertebrae) and exposes the nerves. The symptoms of the injury depend on the severity of the damage. A victim may experience pinched nerves, herniated discs, or bruising to the ligaments in the back. These conditions can lead to a great deal of pain and discomfort, and in serious cases, a victim may experience partial or complete paralysis of certain parts of the body.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

According to the World Health Organization, about 90 percent of all spinal injuries are caused by trauma such as a car accident or an act of violence. Approximately 500, 000 individuals sustain spinal cord injuries each year, and in the United States, most cases occur as a result of motor vehicle collisions. Depending on the severity of the accident, spine injuries can sometimes occur alongside other injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, which may complicate medical treatments and generate more medical expenses. 

Millions of fans nationwide attend sporting events with the hopes of having a good time, creating memories, and the possibility of going home with a souvenir. A well-known tradition at any event is having the chance to take home a part of the game. At baseball games, foul balls, home runs, and other memorabilia can add an extra incentive for fans to attend the game in person; being shown catching a ball on TV or the jumbotron could be a life-changing experience for an enthusiastic fan. Furthermore, obtaining a piece of history could result in substantial financial gains. Unfortunately, the same events that can be so exciting could also lead to a personal injury, and a dedicated fan may be unsure of how to proceed if they are hurt while at this type of event.

How Injuries Can Occur

Depending on what type of game a fan is attending, different types of injuries could be sustained. One surprisingly common type of injury occurs when a person is struck by a foul ball at a baseball game. Baseballs can be hit with velocities upwards of 100 miles per hour, and with little to no reaction time, fans may be in serious danger from these projectiles. Some MLB teams have extended the protective netting in their stadiums to address the likelihood of a fan being hit by a foul ball. However, even with these nets in place, people in the stands are at risk of being injured by a ball or pieces of a broken bat.

There are a wide range of other potential Incidents that could occur when attending a sporting event. At hockey games, fans may be injured from players crashing into the glass which separates the spectators from the ice. NASCAR fans may be injured by debris from crashes that take place during a race. Fights and riots can take place due to passions running high, the consumption of alcohol, or other factors leading to aggression. Additionally, items thrown into the stands, such as t-shirts, could lead to fans being trampled or otherwise injured when trying to catch them.

Updating statuses, posting pictures, and checking into locations online has become a focal point for people of all ages who love to share their experiences with friends, family members, or others in their social circle. For many people, constant connections with hundreds, if not thousands, of friends and followers is part of their daily lives. While having the ability to upload information almost instantly can seem like a great thing, many individuals do not consider the ramifications that could result. Sharing information on topics such as personal injuries could drastically harm any ongoing or upcoming lawsuits. In an era of technology and communication, sometimes it is best to remain quiet.     

Avoid Posting Anything After the Incident

When a person suffers an extensive injury or is involved in a serious car accident, not being able to share information about the event with others may seem difficult. However, when a post is made available online or a picture is uploaded, this could have significant negative effects on a legal case.

Helpful Tips for Social Media

Social media has become a source for instant gratification, and users will commonly share their thoughts or feelings “in the moment” without considering the potential effects of these posts. Sending a tweet or posting a comment has become a reflexive impulse for many individuals today. Some general practices to consider when using social media while in the midst of a personal injury claim include:

More and more people today are using bicycles as a mode of transportation, especially when traveling to work. This is a great form of exercise in addition to being a more economical way to reach your destination. Plus, since bicycles do not use gasoline like cars, they do not pollute the environment. Some cities across the United States have even taken steps to encourage bicycle use by designating “bike to work” months.

Bicycles are considered the same as other vehicles on Wisconsin roadways from a legal standpoint, so cyclists are required to follow all traffic laws, and other drivers should take care to share the road safely with them. As a bicyclist in Wisconsin, you may run the risk of being hit by a reckless driver or another bicyclist and therefore suffer a personal injury.