A car accident can happen at nearly any time, and for a variety of unpredictable reasons. You may get hit by a distracted or fatigued driver who simply loses focus for a moment or be unfortunate enough to come across an intoxicated driver who lacks the faculties to control their vehicle. You might collide with another vehicle on an icy or slippery road, or you might become the victim of a mechanical failure. Whatever the reason, a car accident can cost you much more than just your car.

Car accidents are far more common than most people realize, with a car accident occurring once every two minutes in New York City alone. While most of these accidents are "fender benders," causing little more than superficial damage to the vehicle, a shocking number of car accidents result in severe damage to the car as well as the passengers inside. Various issues can make it more likely for these accidents to result in severe injuries, such as speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants.

When you get into a car accident, two of the most common sources of damage in addition to the vehicle itself will be to yourself and others. While the expense of repairing or replacing a car can be extraordinary, it is often overshadowed by the rising and unexpected costs of even minor injuries. Despite being insured, you may still wind up with major medical bills for the injuries you have suffered, bills you will need to pay back even as you are recuperating from your accident.

Additionally, for one reason or another, you may wind up missing work due to your accident. This can result in reduced income or a loss of benefits at the same time you are dealing with major unexpected expenses, making the financial impact of the accident that much harder to deal with. This is especially the case if you work in a profession that requires significant levels of physical exertion, you may find that you are simply no longer able to perform your work at all, the injury having deprived you of your primary livelihood.

Unfortunately, many people who suffer injuries during car accidents must deal with both physical and psychological repercussions for years to come. Even when their injuries do not arise to the level of causing a disability, a car accident can result in chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, depression, and other issues that can have a significant impact on your quality of life.

Fortunately, you may be able to recover financial compensation for all these losses through a personal injury lawsuit. Understanding the full extent of your losses is important, after all, the purpose of a lawsuit is to compensate you for the injuries you have received and attempt to make you whole again. Unfortunately, fair and adequate compensation is not something insurance companies like to hand over. Many times, complex legal issues may arise making any case difficult to handle on your own. When you combine the stress of attempting to obtain financial compensation with the pain and suffering you have to endure while recovering from a serious injury, it becomes extremely difficult to get a fair shake. Insurance companies know this and will look to take advantage of you at every opportunity. It is for this reason that you need to retain a personal injury attorney who can fight on your behalf, protect your interests, assist in your recovery, and ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve.