You get in a car crash and walk away feeling fine. A few days later, you notice you're sore and stiff. Uh oh. Those aches and pains might be signs of a hidden injury, one that's not immediately obvious after a car accident. If you don't get treatment and document those unseen injuries, it could hurt your chances of getting full compensation. Don't let an insurance company lowball you just because you feel okay at first. Read on to learn why it's crucial to get checked out after any collision, even minor fender benders. I'll explain how hidden injuries happen and what you need to do to protect yourself after an accident. With the right medical care and documentation, you can get the settlement you deserve.
What Are Unseen Injuries After a Car Accident?
Head injuries
Head injuries after a car accident can be difficult to detect and diagnose. Concussions and minor traumatic brain injuries often don’t show symptoms right away but can cause issues like headaches, dizziness, and problems with concentration or memory down the road. See a doctor after any accident where your head impacted something.
Internal injuries
Internal injuries like organ damage or internal bleeding aren’t visible from the outside. Symptoms may appear gradually or be masked by other injuries. Get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after an accident to determine if any internal exams or scans are needed.
Muscle strains and sprains
Adrenaline pumping during an accident can mask muscle strains, sprains, and tears until hours or days later. Seek medical care for severe or persistent pain, swelling, or limited mobility. Rest, ice, compression and elevation can help for minor sprains or strains, but a doctor should evaluate any injury that causes significant pain or disability.
Psychological trauma
Car accidents can be terrifying and traumatic. While the physical injuries may heal, the emotional trauma can persist. Anxiety, flashbacks, trouble sleeping, and feelings of panic are common after an accident. Speaking to a counselor or mental health professional can help work through the trauma and find strategies for coping with any lingering effects.
No injury after an accident is too minor to ignore. Getting checked out by a doctor, even if you feel fine initially, is important for your health and any insurance claims related to the accident. Unseen or internal injuries left untreated can become serious problems down the road. Your health and well-being should be the top priority after any car accident.
Common Unseen Injuries to Watch Out For
A lot of the time, the injuries that hurt the most are the ones you can't see. Things like whiplash, concussions, and PTSD can do just as much damage as broken bones, but since they're invisible, insurance companies often try to downplay them. Don't let them! These unseen injuries deserve just as much compensation.
Whiplash
Ever been in a car accident and noticed your neck hurting later? That's likely whiplash, and it can cause severe pain, headaches, and restricted mobility. Whiplash occurs when your head is jerked backward and forward suddenly, injuring the soft tissues in your neck. The pain may not appear for hours or even days, so don't assume you're in the clear just because you feel okay after an accident. See a doctor right away and document your symptoms.
Concussions
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can have long-lasting effects even if you don't lose consciousness. Symptoms like dizziness, irritability, memory loss, and impaired concentration may come and go for weeks or months. Concussions require medical care and time off work or school to heal properly. Don't downplay a hit to the head - get checked out by a doctor and be sure to tell your lawyer about any diagnoses or symptoms.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is a psychological condition caused by extremely frightening or distressing events like car accidents, assaults, or natural disasters. Symptoms include severe anxiety, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, flashbacks, nightmares, and physical symptoms like nausea or chest pain. If you're having trouble coping after an accident, talk to your doctor right away about treatment options and be sure your personal injury claim considers any related costs. Your mental health deserves compensation just as much as any physical injury.
Why You Need a Medical Evaluation After Any Car Crash
Following an auto accident, it's critical to get checked out by a doctor, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash or concussions, may not show symptoms right away but can cause problems down the road if left untreated. A medical evaluation will detect any injuries, allowing you to get the proper care and treatment needed for the best recovery.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury in car crashes that occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked in one direction and then another. The effects may not appear for hours or even days after the accident. Seeking medical care promptly can help minimize long-term issues from whiplash like chronic neck pain, headaches, and limited mobility. During your evaluation, the doctor will examine your range of motion and may order imaging tests to check for damage to the vertebrae or disks in the spine.
Concussions
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can happen even in a minor collision. The symptoms aren’t always obvious and may include dizziness, nausea, irritability, or trouble concentrating. Left undiagnosed, a concussion can lead to problems with memory, balance, and decision making. Your doctor can determine if you have a concussion through a neurological exam and cognitive testing. They will then recommend a treatment plan, which may include medication, therapy, rest, or in severe cases, hospitalization.
Getting evaluated by a doctor should be one of the first steps you take after an accident. They can properly assess any injuries, document your condition, and help ensure you recover fully. Their medical report and testimony may also provide important evidence for your personal injury claim. While an accident is never a good thing, taking the right actions afterward can make a big difference in your health and legal outcome.
How Unseen Injuries Can Impact Your Car Accident Claim
Unseen injuries like whiplash, concussions or internal damage can be hard to prove, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less real or debilitating. These hidden ailments often don’t show up right away and may take time to properly diagnose. But not disclosing them or following up with treatment can seriously hurt your claim.
Seek Medical Attention ASAP
The sooner you get checked out by a doctor, the better. Even if you feel fine after an accident, unseen injuries could be lurking. Seeking medical care within a day or two also establishes evidence that your injuries were caused by the crash. Without prompt diagnosis and documentation, the insurance company may argue your injuries weren’t accident-related or as severe as you claim.
Complete All Recommended Treatment
If the doctor recommends physical therapy, chiropractic care or other treatment, be sure to follow their advice. Failing to complete recommended treatment or follow-up care will damage your credibility and weaken your claim. The insurance company may say you weren’t really injured or didn’t give treatment a fair chance to work. Make every effort to comply with your doctor’s recommended care plan.
Provide Detailed Medical Records
Thorough medical records are crucial for validating unseen injuries. Have your doctors provide a full report of their diagnosis, test results, prescribed treatment and prognosis. Records should specify the cause of your injuries as the auto accident. The more documentation you can provide, the harder it will be for the insurance company to dismiss your unseen ailments as unrelated or exaggerated.
Unseen injuries can be complicated to prove, but with prompt medical care, compliance with treatment and detailed records you have the evidence to strengthen your claim. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage by failing to properly report and document the full extent of your injuries after an accident.
Hire an Experienced Texas Car Accident Lawyer to Maximize Your Settlement
Know Your Rights
After an accident, the insurance companies will try to get you to settle quickly for as little money as possible. Don’t fall for their tactics. An experienced car accident lawyer knows Texas personal injury law and will fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve. They can determine the true value of your claim, including costs for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Build a Strong Case
Some injuries from car accidents, like whiplash or concussions, are not always visible but can have lifelong effects. A good lawyer will help document all your injuries and build a solid case to prove their severity. They have connections with medical experts and accident reconstructionists to support your claim. Gathering police reports, witness statements, medical records and bills, and evidence from the accident scene can make or break your case.
Negotiate Aggressively
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. They will lowball settlement offers hoping you will accept. An experienced lawyer knows their tactics and will not be persuaded by their bullying. They will stand up for your rights and fight to negotiate the maximum settlement for your injuries. They are not afraid to take a case to court if the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement.
Reduce Stress
Dealing with insurance companies and managing the details of a personal injury claim can be difficult when you’re already coping with injuries from an accident. Hiring a lawyer lifts that burden from you so you can focus on recovering. They handle all communication and paperwork, leaving you free of hassle and stress. Let an experienced professional advocate for you so you get the compensation and justice you deserve.
Conclusion
So don't let unseen injuries derail your personal injury claim. Even if you feel fine at first, some injuries take time to surface. Keep track of all your symptoms, follow your doctor's advice, go to all recommended treatments, and document everything related to the accident and your recovery. Be thorough, patient, and persistent in caring for your health and pursuing fair compensation. Though the process may seem daunting, you have legal rights to recover damages for all injuries caused in an accident, even ones that don't appear until later. With the right medical care and a legal support from lawyers at Fletcher Law, you can get the recovery you need, both physically and financially. Stay strong and know that, despite any challenges, you have the power to take care of yourself and get the outcome you deserve.