Major Injuries Can Happen From Minor Punta Gorda Accidents
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Brain Injury
According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Florida has around 1,000 car accidents every day. In most cases, these accidents are simple fender benders. In fact, the NHTSA also reports that about half of all these accidents result in just property damage. However, just because your Punta Gorda accident seemed minor, does not mean that it can’t cause major injuries. There are several injuries that can be caused by fender benders. Understanding Delayed Injuries
Accident injury victims often experience delayed injuries. They leave the accident and they feel fine, so they just go about their lives. This is especially the case with fender benders because the accident was minor and you aren’t experiencing symptoms, it’s natural to think that everything’s fine. Then suddenly, days or weeks later, you start exhibiting serious symptoms of a major injury that you didn’t even realize was happening. That is why regardless of the severity of the accident or if you feel perfectly fine, you need to see your physician immediately after any car crash.
Major Injuries That Can Happen After A Minor Accident
Several injuries can happen even from a small accident. These injuries include:
● Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Anytime the head is shaken or impacts a hard surface, there is a risk of developing a TBI. If either of these things happened during the accident, speak to your physician. They will usually do a diagnostic test like an MRI to see if there is any damage.
● Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries include strains, sprains, and tears. These can impact muscles, ligaments, and tendons. In minor accidents, the impact can jolt your body in unnatural ways that can lead to these injuries. When you see your physician, make sure you explain everything that occurred to your body during the accident so they can investigate those anatomies for injury.
● Whiplash: Whiplash occurs when the body is jolted and the head bounces back and forth. This causes strains, sprains, and even tears in the neck and shoulders. Make sure to tell your physician if your body was jolted. Though it is often a joke in the media, it is really important to get whiplash diagnosed because if not treated it can cause permanent nerve damage.
All of these serious injuries can also have delayed symptoms. So make sure that you monitor your health for weeks after an accident. If you notice any symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Connecting Major Injuries To Minor Crashes
If you do develop a major injury from your minor accident, you will need to connect the two to pursue compensation for your damages. The best way to do this is to see a physician immediately following an accident. This will connect their diagnosis with the accident. If you have a delayed injury, this can be a little trickier. However, an auto accident attorney can help make this link for the courts. They will work with expert witnesses like medical experts, accident reconstructionists, and highway safety experts. They can help prove the link between your accident and your injuries, no matter how minor the accident.
Unfortunately, no matter if your accident was major or minor, the insurance companies are going to do everything they can to get out of paying a fair settlement. Working with a knowledgeable Punta Gorda accident attorney can help keep you protected. For over 30 years, the expert team at All Injuries Law Firm has worked to protect injury victims’ rights after an accident. We can help you. Call us anytime at 1-941-625-4878 or chat with us right on our website. We offer a free consultation and will help you understand your rights!