How to Secure a Settlement for Non-Visible Car Accident Injuries
There are many common types of car accident injuries ranging from severe to mild. Within this spectrum, there are visible injuries such as burns, cuts, and broken bones as well as non-visible injuries such as whiplash, traumatic brain injury, and internal bleeding. Regardless of whether an injury is visible or not, it is up to the injured person to file an accident claim and prove that their injuries were caused by the accident.
Non-visible car accident injuries can be harder to prove than visible injuries, which makes it even more important to speak with an experienced, local car accident attorney who can help you navigate the complexities of your case and negotiate a full and fair settlement on your behalf.
Common Non-Visible Car Accident Injuries
There are several types of serious injuries that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Without diagnosis and treatment, non-visible injuries may become worse, and can result in long-term or even permanent symptoms. Examples of non-visible injuries that can be caused by car accidents include:
Soft-tissue damage (including whiplash): musculoskeletal injuries, such as muscle strains and sprains are not outwardly visible but can be debilitating. Whiplash, which is caused by a rapid backward and forward motion of the head and neck in a car accident, is a common soft-tissue injury.
Internal injuries: when organs and blood vessels are impacted due to the forces of a car accident, organs may be damaged or begin bleeding internally.
Nerve damage: when nerves are stretched, compressed, or torn due to the force of a car accident, they can become damaged.
Traumatic brain injuries: Brain injuries are one of the most common non-visible types of car accident injuries. In some cases, they can lead to permanent disability or death without immediate medical care.
Psychological trauma: when a person experiences intense fear or distress during a car accident, it can lead to lasting emotional and mental health effects.
Watch For These Signs of Non-Visible Injury After a Car Accident
Each type of internal injury comes with its own range of symptoms to look out for, including sudden onset:
- Pain
- Anxiety or depression
- PTSD (flashbacks or nightmares about the accident, ongoing fear, trouble sleeping, mood changes, etc.)
- Racing heart
- Restricted range of motion
- Stiffness
- Confusion or feeling disoriented
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Difficulty with focus, memory or concentration (brain fog)
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms after a car accident, it is very important to seek medical care right away.
Proving Non-Visible Injuries in a Car Accident Claim
It can be more difficult to prove non-visible injuries than visible ones in a car accident claim, partly because car insurance companies will use any excuse they can to minimize or dismiss injury claims. Even visible injuries require proper documentation, proof, and evidence, so it is especially important to seek a medical evaluation after a car accident so any symptoms you are experiencing can be documented from the very beginning.
How to Document Invisible Injuries After a Car Accident
Documentation is so important when it comes to pursuing financial compensation for non-visible car accident injuries. Here are some tips:
- Do not minimize your condition at the accident scene. Do not say you are “fine” until you have been evaluated by a medical professional.
- Get medical care as soon as possible so your injuries can be properly diagnosed and treated.
- Ask your doctor whether imaging tests are appropriate and keep copies of any scans or test results.
- Follow all medical recommendations and attend every follow-up appointment.
- Seek mental health support from a licensed therapist or psychiatrist if you are struggling emotionally.
- Keep a journal to track symptoms and pain levels. Keep notes about how your injuries are affecting your daily life.
- Photograph any visible signs of injury as they appear or progress.
- Gather statements from individuals who can confirm your condition, including healthcare providers or other qualified witnesses.
- Request and organize copies of medical records, treatment notes, and billing statements.
- Speak with a car accident attorney about additional ways to strengthen your claim.
Insurance companies rely on objective evidence to confirm that an injury exists and that it resulted from the car accident. Working with a personal injury attorney can help you navigate a non-visible injury claim to pursue fair compensation for your losses.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
