It is not uncommon for an individual who has been involved in a car accident to require hospitalization. Car accidents can produce injuries that range from minor to fatal. Some injuries, such as those to the brain or spine, can leave a victim in need of long-term or even lifelong care. Such treatment is typically very expensive. But even injuries of lesser severity can also generate costly medical bills.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, in 2012 every day almost 7,000 people wound up in the emergency department due to being involved in auto accidents. The average cost for an ED visit came out to around $3,300. But for those victims who required hospitalization, the cost averaged at $57,000 throughout their lifetimes. And over 75 percent of costs are incurred within 18 months after the injury.
Clearly, emergency treatment for car accident injuries can cost victims quite a bit of money. And often there can be expenses that come after initial treatment. This is why when you pursue compensation, you take into account the full measure of your required care.
But figuring out just how much compensation is appropriate for an injury can become very complex. And insurance companies often want to settle claims as quickly as possible. While this may get you funds in a more timely fashion, it is possible that those funds will prove insufficient in the long run.
In order to have a better chance at getting recompense that will cover your present and future needs, you may wish to contact a Pennsylvania car accident attorney. An attorney can employ a variety of sources to help you get a proper assessment of the level of care you will need for your recovery. The attorney could then represent your interests in working with insurance companies.