Study Claims Neck Injuries After Minor Accidents are Often Ignored
A recent study suggests that most people who suffer neck injuries after a seemingly minor car accident do not get compensated. When a car crash appears to cause no injury, insurance may arrive at a quick settlement. This often leaves the injured victims with undiagnosed, untreated, and uncompensated injuries. At least, these are some of the conclusions offered by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine.
The study looked at eight emergency departments across four states. After six weeks had passed from their car crash, more than 70 percent of people reported that they had chronic pain in at least one body region. More than 33 percent still felt pain in four or more body regions. Despite their continuing pain after an accident, few of these people ever filed an injury claim for compensation. It can be hard for anyone to take a whiplash claim seriously.
Even when someone reports whiplash symptoms to a physician, a doctor may doubt that the pain is real. Too often, they may think that someone is only trying to file a lawsuit. As it turns out, most people who sustain these injuries never file a personal injury claim and go without the compensation they deserve.
To get into the specifics, only 17 percent of the injured victims in the study actually contacted a lawyer. Of the significant portion that did not want to file a lawsuit, 28 percent still suffered neck pain that was moderate to severe. Thirteen percent still suffered pain in seven or more body regions. Four percent of the injured had symptoms akin to fibromyalgia.
Unfortunately, one of the reasons that people will ignore complaints of pain from injured victims is that the victims themselves are not aware of their injuries for hours, or even days after a car crash. This is just one of the many reasons that it is a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible after an auto accident. Medical records are key to a successful injury claim.
You will need other types of proof as well, and ample amounts of it. This could be include photos of the accident scene and of your car, demonstrating the severity of the accident. You will need this evidence for a property damage claim as well.
To learn more about how to win the compensation you need, contact the Whitley Law Firm today, before your case expires. With an experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyer on your side, you may be able to get compensated for your car bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and more. Find out if you have a personal injury case when you contact our firm! You can call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.