A car accident abruptly disrupts your life, even if it’s relatively minor. One moment you’re on your way to work or out to dinner, and the next you’re being assessed by medical professionals while you wonder whether your car can be repaired and how much it’s going to cost. Sometimes, though, the impact of a car accident is more serious and long-lasting. Still worse, you may not know immediately how serious your injuries are or what type of long-term effects you may suffer.
You may be overwhelmed by the combination of medical issues, financial stress, and uncertainty about how to proceed with your claim for damages and other issues. Fortunately, you don’t have to sort it out on your own. Consulting a Jacksonville car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident can help you protect yourself moving forward.
Take Steps to Protect Your Health–and Your Claim
Some types of car accident injuries aren’t immediately obvious, or seem less serious than they are. For example, most people expect to be stiff and sore after a jarring event and want to wait it out and see if they get better. Sometimes, that works out. But, in other cases, what feels like any other backache or stiff neck is actually a spinal injury. Those injuries can worsen if left untreated, especially if you’re exerting yourself in ways you wouldn’t be if you knew the extent of the injury.
Similarly, a headache after a car accident can be caused by a minor concussion, or even stress. Or, it could be a sign of whiplash, or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Many people don’t know that it’s possible to sustain a TBI without hitting your head. The impact from a motor vehicle collision can slam the brain against the inside of the skull.
The best way to protect your health is to see your doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible after a car accident if you have any concerns at all. Prompt medical attention can sometimes keep a short-term injury from turning into a long-term or permanent one. Getting medical attention right away can also help you secure fair compensation if you turn out to be more seriously injured than you realized. It will be easier for your car accident attorney to establish the connection between the accident and your injuries if you seek treatment right away.
Common Long-Term Effects of Car Accidents
Obviously, every car accident is different, and there are a wide range of possible injuries. But, there are some types of long-term health impacts that are more common than others. Some of the most common include:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Various studies have shown that 30% or more of people involved in motor vehicle accidents suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD varies in duration and severity, so everyone’s symptoms will be different. For some, those symptoms may fade in a few weeks or months. Others require professional help to manage their PTSD symptoms.
Unfortunately, many people don’t recognize that the symptoms they’re having, such as panic attacks and nightmares, are signs that they may need treatment. So, medical care is delayed, and so is recovery.
Spinal Injuries
Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are living with long-term spinal cord injuries. However, these injuries vary significantly in their impact on the accident victim’s life. In extreme cases, breathing and other body functions can be affected. While most spinal cord injuries don’t heal completely, early treatment can make a big difference in the degree of recovery and help prevent further damage.
If you’ve suffered a spinal injury in a car accident, you will want to speak with an experienced auto accident lawyer right away. Insurance companies understand that this type of injury may require long-term or even lifelong medical care and may limit earning capacity in the future. So, it’s in their best interest to try to maneuver a car accident victim into a quick, inadequate settlement.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Like spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries may be mild and temporary or severe and long-term or permanent. Their effects may be localized, with symptoms like headaches, dizziness and cognitive changes, or may impact other body systems. A severe TBI may impact balance, control of bowels and bladder, seizures, slurred speech, hearing or vision problems and more.
Because a head injury may involve swelling or bleeding in the brain that can create a life-threatening situation if untreated, it is important to get checked out if you hit your head in a car accident or are experiencing symptoms of a head injury.
Other Long-Term Car Accident Injuries
Other long-term injuries and medical conditions range from scarring or burns to amputations or loss of the use of a limb to organ damage. Each of these and other conditions can have a significant impact on your quality of life, your ability to earn a living, and even your life expectancy.
Your car accident lawyer can explain how these possible long-term effects impact your Jacksonville car accident claim.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney in Jacksonville Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and have permanent or long-term injuries, it is especially important to work with an experienced injury lawyer with extensive experience in car accident claims. It’s important to connect with that lawyer and schedule a free consultation as soon as possible after your injury.
Expert witnesses will likely be required to establish the extent of your injuries, how those injuries will impact various areas of your life moving forward, and the cost of navigating those effects and limitations. An experienced local car accident lawyer like the ones at Harrell & Harrell can choose the best experts for your case and coordinate with them to put together the strongest claim possible.
We offer free consultations to help you fully understand your rights and what you can expect as your car accident claim moves forward. To learn more or schedule your consultation, call us today at (904) 251-1111 or fill out our contact form.