Car accident injuries are not always obvious. Under certain circumstances, the body does not always recognize that it is injured. This means injuries can get worse over time, especially if they do not get the attention necessary to heal or recover. In the end, something that can seem like a minor injury can actually be an extensive and expensive one. While not all Spokane car accident injuries seem significant, there are many reasons to treat them as though they are.

Dealing with Injuries and Medical Bills After Accidents

When it comes to car accidents, medical bills and missing time off of work for appointments can prevent people from following up when they should. The expenses involved should not determine whether you seek treatment or not. If you have been in a car accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation that can help. In any case, all Spokane car accident injuries should be addressed as soon as possible.

Shock and Car Accidents

One of the reasons people do not always seek treatment for their car accident injuries is because they don’t even know they’re injured. When the body is confronted with a traumatic situation, it sometimes goes into shock. When this happens, injuries may not be felt or noticed right away. The next day, when the body is back to normal, the pain may be revealed. This isn’t the only instance in which you might not recognize you are injured. There are also injuries that are considered “invisible” such as psychological injuries, and you may not become aware of them until much later.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries to occur in car accidents. The impact of one car hitting another can cause the weight of the head to be violently pushed forward or backward. This sudden rapid jerking motion can damage muscles and tendons in the neck. When this happens, the neck is unable to support the weight of the head. It may require additional support and decreased movement in order to heal, which can take weeks or even months. Unfortunately, there are no safety restraints or devices in cars that prevent neck injuries, so if you are in a car accident, there’s a high probability that this is one injury you may experience.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are common injuries, even in cases where air bags are involved. Like other injuries, these depend largely on how the accident happened, where the car was hit, and what happened after the car was hit. In many cases, the broken bones are the result of bracing for impact. The bones simply cannot take the pressure of a crash with another vehicle or object. Although broken bones often heal, it takes time—months or even years of physical therapy. This means that you will most likely miss time at work and not be able to participate in the activities you were involved in before the accident.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the result of the head suffering a significant impact with something else or undergoing such intense jerking motions that the brain is actually either jarred inside the skull or the blood-brain barrier is broken. These injuries are some of the most extensive and expensive because they can cause long-term medical problems and may even limit the individual’s ability to perform common daily tasks. One way to try and prevent these injuries is by wearing a seat belt and making sure that all airbags in the vehicle are functional. However, no matter how many safety precautions you take, you can’t prevent other drivers from making mistakes or driving carelessly.

Car Accident Injury Attorneys

When it comes to car accidents in Washington, the damages are the responsibility of the party who is at fault for the accident. Those costs should not be a deterrent when it comes to seeking medical assistance. Car accident injuries should be treated immediately. The shock factor is just one reason that individuals should seek medical attention as soon as possible following a car accident. If you have suffered a car accident injury, our lawyers can help.

Contact our office online immediately or call 1-800-404-9000 for a free consultation.