Injuries have a way of being very sneaky sometimes. Even if you don’t notice the onset of pain or discomfort immediately following a fender bender or a slip and fall accident, you could still be injured. It is extremely common for more subtle injury symptoms to arise days, even weeks after your accident.
This blog aims to spell out exactly what constitutes a minor injury, as well as how to deal with your injury (legally and medically speaking) following the accident.
What counts as a Minor Injury Anyway?
Minor injuries usually stem from minor accidents. We are definitely not talking totaled cars, life-changing injuries, and months of medical rehab. Think fender-bender, lightly rear-ending someone, or tripping on a sidewalk crack.
The injuries resulting from such accidents are often subtle and underlying. Examples include:
- Whiplash
- Sore back
- Sprained wrist
- Bumps and bruises
- Concussions (mild)
While the legal nomenclature deems these injuries minor, their side effects and ability to disrupt your life are anything but.
Hidden Dangers of Minor Injuries
Although they may initially seem small or insignificant, minor injuries, such as the ones above, have the potential to persist and develop into more serious problems than anticipated.
A common scenario that plays out following accidents of this nature is that your heightened adrenaline causes the severity and extent of your injuries to be overlooked. In the moment, you may not pay attention to the neck pain resulting from your whiplash or notice the onset of a minor concussion.
It should come as no surprise that Insurance companies love it when these injuries go unnoticed. You not noticing your injuries and waiting to file a claim, typically means your auto insurance provider will end up having to pay you less—and that is not fair!
Why Filing a Claim (Early) Matters
Filing a claim as soon as possible is very important. No one wants to be in a scenario like the one described above; You have an injury needing medical attention, but the insurance company who was supposed to protect you finds excuses not to pay.
The way to avoid this unfortunate yet common outcome is to file your insurance claim ASAP! By filing an insurance claim quickly after your accident takes place, you are setting yourself up for the best chance to be fully compensated.
In addition to filing a claim, seek medical attention immediately — even for the slightest injuries — to help establish causation. Delay in documenting your injuries is one of the most common reasons that insurance companies will use to minimize your payout.
Is Suing Always Worth It?
After consulting with a personal injury attorney and realizing that your claim may yield an unsatisfactory amount, you may or may not decide to file a first- or third-party lawsuit, depending on the specific circumstances of your accident.
Due to the long, drawn out, expensive nature of lawsuits, you should take time and consider if your case is strong enough and if you are prepared for the emotional and financial strain. It would be wise to consult with an experienced injury attorney at this stage in the recovery process, to see if you’ve got a lawsuit on your hands.
Get David Get Paid
If you were injured or need legal advice following an accident (regardless of the severity) call David Femminineo today! David and the team at Femminineo Law are experts in the field of personal injury law and will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Give us a call at 855-65-CRASH or visit our website at www.getdavidgetpaid.com today!
