Following a car accident, certain injuries are apparent—broken bones, cuts, bruises. But what if your pain exists, but there is no visible indication of injury? Whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue injuries are not always evident on X-rays or scans, so they are more difficult to substantiate. Insurance companies are aware of this and might utilize this as grounds to reduce or reject your claim.
If you are experiencing a hidden injury from an accident, don’t despair. You are not alone, and there are ways of recording your condition and claiming the compensation to which you are entitled. Down to business.
Why Some Injuries Do Not Show Up Right Away
The human body is complex, and some injuries do not appear for hours or even days. Immediately following an accident, adrenaline courses through your system, masking pain and discomfort. Symptoms can take hours, days, or weeks to appear.
Some of the most common “hidden” injuries that accident victims experience include the following:
- Whiplash – Caused by the abrupt back-and-forth motion of the neck, whiplash can lead to severe pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness.
- Concussions – A type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can cause memory issues, confusion, light sensitivity, and mood swings.
- Soft Tissue Injury – Sprains, strains, and muscle tears that can lead to chronic pain and restricted mobility.
- Nerve Damage – Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations resulting from pinched or damaged nerves.
Even though these injuries may not appear on routine medical tests, they can have a great impact on your life.
How to Prove an Invisible Injury
Since you can’t point to an X-ray and say, “See here’s my injury!” you’ll need to rely on other types of evidence to get your point across. Here’s how:
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The worst mistake accident victims make is waiting too long to see a doctor. If you don’t get checked, the insurance company can claim your injury was not related to the accident. Even if you’re fine, just go see your doctor as soon as possible and tell them everything that hurts. In addition, it is crucial to explain to your doctor exactly what is going on. Don’t say you are fine if you are not fine.
2. Follow Your Treatment Plan
Doctors’ orders are not just for your health, but crucial to your case. By failing to attend appointments or not adhering to treatment as prescribed, the insurance company can claim your injury is not legitimate. Having doctors’ orders on a consistent basis demonstrates that your condition is legitimate and affecting your lifestyle.
3. Get the Right Medical Tests
Though standard X-rays won’t diagnose soft tissue injury or head injury, other equipment will:
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – Detects soft tissue injury and head injury.
- CT Scan (Computed Tomography) – Reveals head injury and internal bleeding.
- EMG (Electromyography) – Measures nerve damage and dysfunction.
If your doctor prescribes additional underlying condition, insist on sufficient testing.
4. Record Everything
Keeping thorough records can make your case more solid. Try tracking:
- Pain Levels – Keep daily logs of your pain, limitations, and symptoms.
- Medical Visits – Copy doctors’ notes, test results, and prescriptions.
- Missed Work – Keep track of lost time and wages lost due to your injury.
A pain diary can be especially helpful in showing how your injury affects your day-to-day life.
5. Obtain Witness Statements
If changes in your behavior or physical capacities are observed by family members, friends, or co-workers, their statements can be helpful. They may report such things as trouble concentrating, more fatigue, or having trouble with simple tasks.
6. Work with a Personal Injury Attorney
Insurance companies find it easy to deny claims for invisible injuries and hope that the victim will give up their claims altogether. A seasoned attorney understands the tricks as well as the proper protocol in presenting evidence, medical opinion, and negotiations. He or she can also protect you from unjust tactics from the insurance adjuster that are meant to lowball your claim.
Why Insurance Companies Deny These Claims
The insurance company’s only goal is to earn profits, not hand out massive awards. They will often try to deny or lowball claims of intangible injuries on the following bases:
- “There’s no objective sign of an injury.”
- “You had a pre-existing condition.”
- “Your pain isn’t as bad as you’re claiming.”
That’s why strong medical records and attorney representation are so important.
Final Words: Don’t Let a Hidden Injury Go Uncompensated
Just because an injury cannot be seen does not necessarily mean that there is not one. You deserve the finest medical attention and reasonable compensation if you are suffering from pain, mental incapacity, or physical limitation after an accident.
Take your time, receive the treatment you deserve, and never accept the low offer of an insurance company.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, contact Jaime “Mr. 786Abogado” Suarez today to Get You Paid!