Car accidents can change your life forever.
One second you’re fine. The next second you’re dealing with pain, medical bills, lost wages… And recovery that takes months or years.
3 million Americans suffer injuries each year in car accidents.
…and they don’t always know their rights.
Here’s what most accident victims don’t realize.
About 2 million people suffer permanent injuries each year due to car accidents.
If you’re in the wrongfully injured 2 million, understanding your legal rights becomes critical to your future.
In this article:
- You Can Suffer Long-Term Injuries From “Minor” Accidents
- Don’t Delay Medical Treatment
- Strong Medical Documentation Helps Your Case
- See A Licensed Chiropractor
- How To Protect Your Rights
You Can Suffer Long-Term Injuries From “Minor” Accidents
Long-term injuries are serious.
They cause chronic pain, decrease your mobility, and force you to seek medical treatment for years – maybe even the rest of your life.
The National Safety Council estimates that motor-vehicle injury cost $513.8 billion in 2023.
That includes medical costs, lost income, and the future care of accident victims.
But those long-term injuries aren’t limited to… broke bones and bruises.
Some examples of long-term car accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Nerve damage
- Post-traumatic arthritis
…and the list goes on.
One reason long-term injuries are so prevalent is that they don’t show up right away.
It can take days or weeks for debilitating symptoms to appear.
As you can imagine, this makes it difficult to prove your injuries were caused by the accident down the road.
That’s why seeing a doctor ASAP is so important.
Don’t Delay Medical Treatment
This cannot be stressed enough.
One of the worst things you can do after being involved in a car accident is delay medical treatment.
Sure, your injuries may feel minor at the time. But that doesn’t mean you should put off seeing a doctor.
Here’s why seeking treatment right away is beneficial to you:
First, your injuries could become permanent. Something that felt minor at the time of the accident can lead to long-term issues if left untreated. Seeing a doctor immediately after the accident can prevent long-term damage.
Second, it helps your case against the insurance company. Insurance companies love to deny claims. Part of their reasoning can hinge on you not seeking medical treatment in a timely manner. If you go to the doctor within 72 hours of the accident, they don’t have that excuse.
You’re better off being safe than sorry. Even if you feel perfectly fine after an accident, go see your doctor.
Strong Medical Documentation Helps Your Case
Do you know the best way to build a strong personal injury case?
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date medical records.
Think about it…
If you can’t prove that you were injured. Then how can you show you’re entitled to compensation?
Let’s say you were in a minor car accident. You went to the hospital immediately after and they told you everything looked fine.
A week goes by. The pain in your neck and back doesn’t go away.
You schedule a follow-up with your doctor and – finally! – discover you have serious injuries due to the accident.
Proper documentation should include:
- Visit to the ER or hospital
- X-rays, MRIs, diagnostic images
- Doctors’ appointments and treatment plans
- Physical therapy or chiropractic visits
- Prescription pain medications
Basically, any time you see a medical professional for your injuries, there should be documentation.
Those medical records become powerful evidence when you’re trying to prove your case.
Make sure you keep copies of everything.
See A Licensed Chiropractor
As mentioned above, seeing a chiropractor after an accident is important.
Why?
Many soft tissue injuries and damages to your spine don’t show up on medical scans. Only a qualified chiropractor can identify this type of damage and begin treatment to prevent long-term pain.
If you were in a car accident in Georgia, working with a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer who knows the benefits of chiropractic care can help your case.
There are several benefits to chiropractic treatment after an accident, including:
- Pain management – rather than heavy pain medications, chiropractic treatment helps relieve your pain naturally
- Regain your mobility – chiropractic treatment helps decrease inflammation and release scar tissue. Allowing you to move more freely
- Document your injuries – chiropractors can document soft tissue damage from your accident
- Non-invasive treatment – unlike some medical professionals, chiropractors do not suggest you jump to surgery
Once again, make sure you work with a licensed chiropractor that specializes in car accident injuries.
How To Protect Your Rights
When you’re involved in a car accident, you need to take immediate action to protect your legal rights.
Here’s what you should do:
File a proper accident report. When you get into an accident, file a report with police. Get a copy of the other driver’s insurance information. Take photos. Write down your own notes.
Get medical attention immediately. Car accidents can be deceiving. What may not hurt at the time of the accident could be serious later on. Always seek medical attention and follow their treatment protocol.
Keep thorough records. Keep a spreadsheet of every accident-related expense. Save every medical receipt. Track the prescriptions you need to take. Write down every time you lose work.
Don’t speak to insurance companies without counsel. Insurance adjusters are trained to avoid paying you as much as possible. If you speak to them without understanding your rights, you may hurt your ability to receive compensation later.
Contact an injury attorney. An injury attorney understands how to value long-term injury cases. They know how to fight with insurance companies on your behalf. And they know what evidence they need to build a strong case.
Time is also of the essence.
States have time limits on how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.
The Bottom Line
Long-term injuries should be treated like any other serious injury.
They cause financial strain, loss of wages, and unnecessary pain. No victim should have to suffer because someone else wasn’t paying attention on the road.
To review:
- Seek medical treatment immediately following the accident
- Work with licensed professionals, like a chiropractor
- Document everything accident-related
- Know and understand your legal rights
- Contact experienced professionals to protect you
Taking these steps early on will benefit you in the long run.
Whether it be physical benefits or helping you receive compensation from your injury.
Recovering from a long-term car accident injury is never easy. But arming yourself with the right knowledge can help you understand your rights.
