It Was Supposed To Get Better
Imagine this: you’re on your way to your weekly shopping run. You’re going the speed limit, on a non-busy street, and you stop at a red light. Suddenly, you’re jolted forward when the car behind you rearends your car.
You realize you’ve been rear-ended. You check for any obvious injuries, , and thankfully you think you will be alright.
After ensuring you’ve got no visible injuries, you exit your car and speak with the person who hit you. You make sure to exchange information and take photos of the vehicles and the scene.. You wait for the police to arrive and take their report.
A few hours pass, and you’re dealing with a sore neck after the accident. You decide to go to urgent care to get checked out. The doctor says you’re able to go on your way, and to follow-up should your symptoms worsen.
However, two weeks have now passed, and your neck pain has gotten worse. You can’t to turn your head without pain. You start to get concerned, but hope that with time it will get better.
Simply put, you take the risk of waiting.
You let another week pass, and your neck feels even worse. Now you make your way to the urgent care again because the pain has become unbearable. The doctors diagnose that you severely injured your neck during the accident. They tell you it’s extremely common for a person to feel delayed symptoms after a car accident. Sadly, the pain has increased due to time passing.
“Invisible” Injuries are Real
Cases like this are more common than not. There was a study conducted that post-car accident injuries are likely to worsen over the course of 6 months.
Another study showed that there was a follow-up rate of 73.5% with neck-pain symptoms at 6 months and 63.1% at 1 year after a car accident.
Whiplash,a common name for a neck injury caused by rapid back-and-forth movement like a whip, is an injury caused by a car crash. It tends to be the most ignored type of injury, because it has a delayed symptoms. But it affects someone in the long run, because they’re more likely to continue feeling the effects even a year or two after their accident
With soft tissue injuries – injuries to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves – medical providers often diagnose sprains and/or strains in different parts of the body. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, and stiffness in the affected areas. While it will feel minor at first, most times, it’s still best to get everything checked out.
Concussions are another common injury caused by car crashes. This happens when the brain is violently shifted or hit due to impact from the accident including abrupt movement of the head and neck. Concussion symptoms can vary from straightforward headaches and confusion to seizures and intense neurological concerns. Even with minor symptoms, be sure to get checked out by a medical professional to prevent worse outcomes.
Accidents also impact you psychologically. One study reported that the most common psychiatric disorder after an accident was post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as victims constantly relived horrific memories of their accident. Some even developed a phobia of traveling or driving. Additionally, moderate to severe emotional distress is common after a car crash as the body and mind go through a traumatic experience.
Why People Downplay Pain
Even with the pain of going through a horrific accident, it’s understandable why people feel the need to downplay their pain or to avoid visiting a medical professional.
There could be the fear of missing work if it’s a serious injury or having to admit that you were hurt in the accident. Some people even feel embarrassed. Having been in an accident is something not many are keen to admit, even if it caused them pain. It was an inconvenience and a memory no one wants to relive, so the most obvious option seemed to be to not make a big fuss over the situation, right?
But we don’t suggest that.
Downplaying your pain can cause even a bigger mishap in the long run.
When Insurance Companies Use That Against You
We don’t want you to feel dismissed. In fact, we want you to succeed and feel validated throughout your path to healing. So delaying your treatment can make your life feel harder, especially if you’ve chosen to downplay the situation.
Any sort of delay can be used against you to deny your claims, as it creates doubt that the accident was the cause of the injury. We always suggest that you immediately gather evidence of the accident and how you were injured. That includes information about the location, who was involved, photos of the scene, your injuries, and all medical treatment. This is evidence, and it’s used to build your case. We deal with the insurance company so you don’t have to.
There are many different factors that can influence a personal injury claim. Insurance carriers look for ways to reduce their payouts, even when someone is genuinely hurt. And if you don’t attend to your injuries right away, they’ll try to make it look like you weren’t injured at all. It’s hard enough to recover from an accident, and insurance companies can make it even harder by trying to cut back on what they owe.
Remember to gather your evidence and to contact an attorney to help you figure out the best course of action.
Don’t delay. And remember, your injury is never a fuss to anyone. We’re here to help you through.
How Medical Records and Consistency Protect You
After an injury or accident, go to urgent care or the hospital and make sure to get a medical professional to check on you. Remember to tell the medical providers about all symptoms that you may feel that you have. The medical records will be used in your case.
Make sure to also attend your follow-up appointments. They’ll help make sure there are no invisible injuries that have gone unnoticed from your last appointment. They’ll also help us keep track of everything that’s been said and done regarding your medical information.
Confirming that everything that was done to keep you healthy is a strong part of your case as your injury has caused a great discomfort in your life. Attorneys will help you stay consistent with your case. We’ll also help you to follow the key steps to win your case.
How We Help
Here at The Coppola Firm, we have experienced attorneys to help your personal injury claims and to help you navigate the difficult time.
We listen to you and your needs to find the best result for you. We want you to be compensated with money for your injuries and pain. You should feel validated over what you’ve gone through. We’re here to advocate for you and ensure that you feel supported.
You Deserve to Heal and Be Heard
Don’t be afraid to reach out. We’re here to help you as you heal. Our clients are people, just like us, and we want you to receive the best outcomes and solutions.
If you need help or have questions, contact us today.
One of our attorneys will always be available to speak with you, and it won’t cost you anything.
Call us at 716-839-9700 or email us at info@coppolalegal.com. We’re here to help.
