Miami Accident Lawyer Blog
If you are one of the 2.61 million people injured in motor vehicle accidents every year according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chances are you may still be feeling the physical effects. You are probably experiencing some pain and discomfort, and it could be rather severe depending on your injuries. It is common to endure aches and other symptoms, but you may eventually become frustrated with how long they last.
While there is no easy answer, the good news is that you may qualify to recover compensation for your losses, including your lingering pain and suffering. Your Miami car accident attorney will handle the legal issues, but some guidelines may be helpful.
Talk to Your Health Care Provider
The most reliable source of information about the length of your recovery is the physician who treats you in the immediate aftermath of a car accident. Head to the emergency room, an urgent care center, or your primary care physician right away to get an accurate diagnosis. Once they have had a chance to review your injuries, these practitioners can estimate how long you could be sore or experience other symptoms.
Factors That May Impact Soreness
Every victim’s pain levels will be different, but there are some considerations that affect how long you will endure discomfort after a motor vehicle collision. They include:
Severity of Your Injuries: Obviously, you are going to feel pain for a longer period of time if your injuries are severe, especially when there is harm to certain parts of the body. Your recovery period will be longer for:
- Head injuries, such as concussion and traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
- Neck injuries, especially whiplash;
- Spinal cord trauma;
- Bone fractures;
- Cuts and lacerations that require sutures; and,
- Burn injuries.
In addition, injuries to weight-bearing bones and joints – particularly hips and knees – can produce pain for a longer amount of time.
Speed of the Vehicles: From a physics standpoint, the full force of the impact is determined by adding the speed of each vehicle. As such, when two cars traveling at 40 and 60 miles per hour collide, the force is 100 mph. The location of the impact is also important, with head-on collisions being the most devastating. Still, the general rule is the higher the speed, the more violent the impact, which can lead to longer recovery from your injuries.
Whether You Were Wearing a Seatbelt: While buckling up can save your life and prevent you from being tossed in an accident, your seatbelt is a strong physical restraint. It will not budge upon impact, so you could feel aches for weeks around your chest, shoulders, abdomen, and torso.
Set Up a Free Appointment with a Miami Car Accidents Lawyer
You can rely on your physician for more specifics on soreness after an auto crash, but trust your lawyer for legal assistance with filing a claim. To hear how we can help, please contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA to schedule a complimentary consultation at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach.
(image courtesy of Mitchell Hollander)