Can Crash Victims File Claims Over Minor Injuries?

November 29, 2021

If another driver caused your crash and you suffered any injuries or other damages, you may have the right to seek compensation from that driver’s car insurance policy. Even if you have minor aches and pains, you should be able to seek compensation.

It is important to consider your injuries may be more serious than you think. Sometimes symptoms get worse after a few days or weeks. That is why you should be careful about accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company. Insurers regularly offer quick settlements before victims have much of an idea of how badly they may be hurt.

Below, we discuss serious injuries that could cause minor symptoms at first and may eventually get much worse. There may be situations when these injuries could be fatal if left untreated for too long.

It is also important to remember insurance companies consider some long-term injuries to be much less severe than they are. Even though the damage may not show up on an imaging test, victims can attest to the significant pain and discomfort they experience.

Serious Injuries That May Have Delayed Symptoms

Car crashes are a shock to the body. Even victims who are wearing their seat belts can get jostled around quite a bit during the crash, resulting in many different injuries.

People have a misconception that they did not suffer a serious brain injury unless they lost consciousness. However, a hit to the head can cause a severe brain injury without knocking you unconscious.

Sometimes an internal injury takes a few days to present visible symptoms. However, it can get much worse over those few days if it is not treated, possibly putting the victim’s life in danger.

Headaches and dizziness may seem like minor symptoms, but it is not a good idea to assume they will go away on their own. Car crashes are significant events that often result in significant injuries. Pain in your abdomen is another symptom that should never be ignored. It may indicate internal bleeding caused by trauma to the liver.

Despite what the insurance company may say or think privately, sprains and strains can be serious injuries. Victims can experience ongoing pain and limited mobility that makes everyday life much more difficult. The symptoms often get worse over time. At first, victims may feel sore and think things will get better. Whiplash and other injuries that damage muscles or tendons could progress in this way.

Back pain after a car crash is often a sign of a sprain or strain. Even if you can walk after a crash, you may have suffered damage to the spinal cord. Any numbness or tingling, particularly tingling that travels down your legs should never be ignored.

If you assume an injury is not that serious and wait to seek treatment or follow-up with doctors, you could damage your claim. The insurance company will use actions like these to devalue your claim. Their rationale is that you are not taking things that seriously so you must not be hurt that badly.

The insurance company may contact you soon after the crash to get a statement and maybe even offer compensation. If you go with your assumption that things are not that serious, you may be tempted to accept the insurance company’s offer. You may say things that hurt the value of your claim. For example, you may say you have some minor aches and pains, but you are sure you will be OK.

There is no need to settle right away. You can allow your treatment to progress to learn more about your injuries. You can also use that time to call a lawyer to discuss how he or she may be able to help you.

What if Your Injuries Are Minor?

You should still seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The crash was not your fault. You should not be stuck with bills for medical treatment. In fact, health insurance companies sometimes refuse to cover treatment of accident-related injuries. If that happens, you can either pay for your treatment out of your own pocket or try to secure compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Call Phillips Law Group to Discuss Your Legal Options

At Phillips Law Group, we know how difficult it is for victims to navigate the legal process on their own. Our Phoenix-based vehicle crash lawyers are here to help and there are no upfront costs. We are only paid if our clients get paid.

Give us a call today to learn more about how we may be able to help you. We have secured hundreds of millions in compensation on behalf of our clients, many of whom were injured in motor vehicle crashes. This includes a recovery of $7.65 million for a motor vehicle crash victim.

No upfront fees or legal obligations. Call 1-800-706-3000 .