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A Minor Car Accident May Cause Serious Injury

Paramedic putting neck brace on driver

“Is everybody okay?” is the first question most people ask after hearing about a recent car accident. But, even if you walk away from an accident pain-free, that does not necessarily mean you will remain that way. That is to say, musculoskeletal damage may not present symptoms until days, weeks, or months after the accident. Whiplash, which can occur at speeds as slow as five miles per hour, can lead to chronic issues, such as headaches or arthritis. Anyone who has been in a “fender bender” or any type of minor auto accident should seek medical attention immediately.

You should educate yourself on which commonly-delayed symptoms to be aware of. If you start experiencing pain weeks or months after an accident, do not wait to see a doctor. Delaying a physical exam may end up costing you your insurance compensation or the prolonging of legal matters.

Here, we explain some of the injuries that can result from minor car accidents.

Whiplash

Any unexpected jolt from a sudden stop or impact can overextend the small muscles, tendons, and ligaments that make up the cervical vertebrae, resulting in whiplash. Likewise, these neck muscles and tissues can be especially sensitive to an accident, resulting in misalignment of the spine. This and later swelling from tears and strains can cause pressure on nerves. Pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulder may stem from these physical issues. Also, headaches emanating from the base of the skull are likely to occur.

Lower Body

An auto impact causing little damage to the vehicle may cause serious problems for your lower body. As with the spine, knees are held together with an intricate system of muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. In a crash, any twisting action can throw the knee out of alignment. Meniscus tears are common and often need a long healing period. Pain or range of motion issues can occur immediately at the time of the accident or may develop sometime after the incident. A similar physiological scenario happens with the hips, pelvis, and low back. Herniated discs are often a result of the jarring and jolting of a car accident, and these slipped discs can cause a lifetime of discomfort, or may even need major surgery.

In the Wake of a Car Accident

Even though an accident seems to have been mild, it is never a good idea to assume there are no physical repercussions. To explain, the body utilizes adrenaline and shock to delay reactions to physical trauma. For this reason, it is important to follow through as thoroughly as possible to provide thorough evidence for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit:

Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents

Also, know the Statute of Limitations. To clarify, after an accident, you have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit, depending on the circumstances. Investigate what time limits you have, and, during this time, track your physical well-being for any correlations between your symptoms and the accident. If you miss the deadline for the Statute of Limitations, you will surrender your legal rights. For most personal injury cases, the Statute of Limitations is four yearsfrom the date of the accident.

Hancock Injury Attorneys– Personal Injury Attorneys in Tampa

If you have been in a car accident, then you may have suffered injuries that you are not even yet aware of. If symptoms appear, seek medical attention immediately. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other associated costs. Mike Hancock has extensive experience as a former insurance company attorney for Allstate, GEICO, State Farm, and Progressive. He uses his insider information to form an educated strategy for each case, obtaining millions of dollars for clients over the years. If you are looking for a highly-skilled, experienced personal injury attorney, contact us online or call us at (813)915-1110for a free consultation.