After any type of motor vehicle collision, there is the potential for passengers and drivers to suffer injuries. In severe cases, the injuries prove to be catastrophic and/or fatal. People may be paralyzed or suffer from a traumatic brain injury.
By comparison, injuries like whiplash or back pain can seem insignificant. However, it is important to understand that even these seemingly minor injuries can cause major problems for victims and their families.
Common injuries after a crash that seem minor
People often feel stiffness or pain in the neck and they can experience headaches. They might also have some back pain and muscle weakness, and some people experience insomnia or depression in the aftermath of a crash.
These common injuries and symptoms may seem very minor, and for some people this remains true. Some injured victims feel better after taking some aspirin and resting. However, this is not true for all people in all cases.
How minor injuries cause major problems
These injuries can get worse and compromise a person’s health. Injuries like emotional distress might seem manageable at first, but over time, it can become overwhelming. Injuries to the neck, back or limbs can make it difficult to stay active and they can present problems with chronic pain.
Seemingly minor injuries can also be symptoms of a much larger issue. For instance, persistent headaches may not be the result of whiplash; they could be a symptom of a serious brain injury.
Don’t minimize your injuries after a crash
With all this in mind, we urge accident victims and their families to take their condition and their injuries seriously. Visit the doctor, even if you think are fine; pay attention to the ways in which your life is affected by your injuries; give yourself time to realize the full extent of the damage before you agree to any settlement or offer.
You can also talk to an attorney about the physical, financial and emotional damage you have experienced. Minimizing accident injuries and the true impact of a crash can prove to be a costly, avoidable mistake. As such, it can be wise to consult an attorney to discuss your options and the compensation that may be available.
