When you’ve been injured in an accident that is no fault of your own, a visible injury is more likely to compel you to seek immediate treatment. You can’t go back home with an open wound; it’s likely to get infected, and at the same time, openly visible wounds tend to be painful.
But what if the injury is invisible? Most victims may make the mistake of brushing away the need for treatment if they show no injuries after an accident, but as you’ll find out in this blog, this can affect not only your physical well-being but also your personal injury claim. But first, what are invisible injuries?
Understanding Invisible Injuries
“An invisible injury is not always apparent. Most of the time, victims aren’t even aware that they’ve been hurt because the symptoms take days or weeks to become evident,” says personal injury attorney Michael Ponce of Ponce Law Tennessee Car & Truck Accident Injury Attorneys.
These injuries may be harder to prove in a personal injury claim because they don’t always appear in photographs or in initial examinations.
Here are the different types of invisible injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): A TBI occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull during a car accident, and it can happen even with no visible head wound. Typical symptoms include memory loss, mood changes, cognitive difficulties, and headaches, which may not become detectable until days or weeks later.
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Sudden jerking motions of the neck, common in some types of car accidents, lead to whiplash and soft tissue injuries, which may not immediately show signs. These injuries often require medical imaging for confirmation.
These are just a few examples of the common invisible injuries; others include psychological harm and chronic pain syndromes, where victims feel debilitating pain without any visible swelling or inflammation in different parts of their bodies.
Why Invisible Injuries Are Challenging to Prove
Demonstrating damages sustained from invisible personal injuries can be complex because of the following:
- Lack of immediate evidence: A broken hand can easily be proven through an X-ray, but the same can’t be said for invisible injuries like concussions. As such, demonstrating proof of losses stemming from these afflictions can be difficult.
- Insurance company skepticism: It’s fairly common for insurance companies to dispute invisible injuries and claim they’re exaggerated or unrelated to the accident.
- Long-term effects: Such trauma can have prolonged and delayed effects, which can complicate the process of estimating future medical costs.
How Can You Prove Invisible Injuries?
Given the complexity surrounding unseen personal injuries, how can you prove them and claim damages from the at-fault party?
- Always seek immediate medical attention after an accident, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. They will perform comprehensive checks and schedule follow-up appointments for continued monitoring.
- Attend all doctor’s appointments: Heed all your appointment dates because it creates a trial of medical documentation that you can use as evidence should delayed injuries show signs later.
- Keep records: Store all the documents for treatment and other expenses associated with your injury. If you’ve never journaled, now is the time to keep a daily account of your life, grappling with the effects of the wound, whether visible or not.
- Hire a lawyer: A personal injury attorney will advise you on the do’s and don’ts when proving your unseen injuries. They will also collect evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and keep your ideal interests as you focus on recovery.
Conclusion
The effects of personal injury may not always be apparent. Wounds like concussions and whiplash don’t leave any visible marks, just symptoms that can take days or weeks to show. That’s why you should see a doctor immediately after an accident, no matter the outcome.
