1.) Avoiding treatment because you “feel fine”

Most car accident victims “walk away” from their accidents. But one of the biggest mistakes that is made after an auto accident is that people who “feel fine” immediately after the accident, often assume they are in fact “fine.” The reality is that it is very common for crash victims to become symptomatic 24-72 hours after their accident.

2.) Avoiding treatment because your car looks fine

A common mistake is for crash victims (as well as lawyers and insurance agents) to assess the severity of the crash victims injuries based on the amount of damage to the car. Basically, if the car doesn’t have any significant damage, the people in the car must not have any significant damage either. This is an old wives’ tale that has been told for years. The reality is that research suggests the exact opposite. In some cases it’s actually easier to be injured when there is no damage to the car. When there is no damage to the car during a crash the force of the crash is absorbed by the occupants instead. Don’t ever assume you shouldn’t hurt because the car wasn’t damaged badly.

3.) Listening to watch and wait advice

Often people will end up in the hospital or their medical doctor’s office for an evaluation shortly after an auto accident. This is a good thing, especially to check for any major injuries like fractures, dislocations, concussion and even spinal cord injuries. But often after they have been cleared of any life threatening injuries, auto accident victims are given some really bad advice: Watch and Wait. Symptoms after an auto accident (even minor ones) can become chronic issues if left untreated. The sooner you seek out treatment after an accident the better your chances are for a full recovery.

4.) Overlooking the symptoms of whiplash

Auto accident victims can be symptom free for hours and even days after their injury. Since the symptoms of whiplash often creep up slowly and gradually, car accidents victims may not make the connection between their symptoms and their auto accident. Because of this, many auto accidents victims never receive proper treatment for their injuries and allow there injuries become long-term.

Acute and Sub-Acute symptoms of whiplash:

• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Pain between shoulder blades
• Back pain
• Numbness/Tingling
• Extremity pain/weakness
• Cognitive difficulties
• Dizziness/light-headedness
• Facial pain and TMJ symptoms
• Auditory symptoms
• Vertigo
• Ocular dysfunction

5.) Minimizing your injuries

Often times auto accident victims minimize their injuries. Either they “feel fine” like we talked about before or they assume their injuries will eventually go away. It’s been reported that when compared to people with no history of car accidents, whiplash patients have almost TWICE the rate of neck pain, headaches, allergies, breathing disorders, low back pain, cardiac problems and digestive disorders. This means that proper treatment after an auto accident is of the utmost importance.

6.) Failing to watch out for yourself

It’s never a good thing when someone becomes a victim of an auto accident. But what’s worse is when they become a victim of the recovery process as well. Often times getting your car and body back into working order is a straight forward process. But be advised, NOT everyone has your best interest at heart. There are insurance companies, doctors and lawyers that make their living taking advantage of those who have been hurt in an auto accident. Now I’m not in any way suggesting that you avoid doctors and lawyers because there are some bad apples out there. Both doctors and lawyers often play a key role in the lives of those are hurt in an auto accident. Especially at times when your insurance decides not to treat you “like a good neighbor.” After an accident, it’s important that you do your homework and trust your gut. It’s OK to ask questions and if you feel that your insurance company is not looking out for you, you may need a lawyer. If you feel that your doctor or lawyer isn’t looking out for you, you may need a new one. They work for you. Not the other way around.

Yes, I Have Recently Been in a Car Accident

If you have recently been in an auto accident and would like to come in for a Complimentary NO-Obligation consultation, please fill out the form below and we will contact you shortly.