Most people understand and respect the danger of the open road. Cars offer us incredible convenience, but these two-ton hunks of metal can cause significant damage and injury when involved in a crash.
For many victims of car accidents, their injuries may not even manifest for days after the incident. If you have already submitted an insurance claim, you may have difficulty securing coverage for the overlooked damage. Understanding the hidden dangers of car accidents can help victims file comprehensive claims that ensure coverage for all damage caused by a crash.
Seek comprehensive medical care before filing
A common mistake people make when dealing with car insurance is submitting an insurance claim with incomplete information. If your injuries seem minor, you may file your claim before seeing a doctor and lose out on necessary coverage. You may have suffered a more severe injury than you initially suspect. Typical car accident injuries that do not manifest until later include:
- Whiplash injuries: The term “whiplash” covers many neck and back injuries commonly sustained during a car accident. Though whiplash often feels like a minor strain, this pain may signal more severe damage, like a herniated disc. Left untreated, a whiplash injury may cause disability and require surgery to treat.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Car accidents often toss a driver’s head around, potentially causing TBI. These brain injuries may not manifest for months, quietly degrading brain function and mental ability. Untreated TBI can lead to personality changes, increased irritability, depression, memory loss, and more.
- Leg and knee injuries: The force of a car crash can send a passenger’s bottom half into the dashboard, injuring knees and legs. Sometimes, simply braking hard can cause a damaging compression beneath a kneecap. Inflammation makes it difficult to identify the extent of the damage, which often requires surgery to repair.
- Shoulder injuries: Seatbelts do save lives, but not shoulders. Do not overlook the pain caused by a twisting seatbelt — your shoulder ligaments may have suffered more damage than anticipated. Surgery is often necessary with shoulder injuries.
Secure the legal protections you deserve
Victims of car accidents find more success in securing the coverage they deserve when working with a local attorney familiar with Florida’s motor vehicle laws. A lawyer can assess your case, recommend reliable physicians and draft comprehensive settlement paperwork.