If you’re in a side-swipe or rear-end collision in Miami, you may sustain what are known as short-term injuries. These are injuries which may last for a short period of time and you are expected to fully recover. Your insurance company may call your injuries short-term or mild injuries if you have sustained a fracture, contusions, soft tissue injuries.
The trouble with short-term injuries is that they can still be debilitating and can end up lasting longer than expected. A bone fracture, for example, may take longer to heal that expected or an open wound may get infected, delaying a patient’s return to work.
Even so-called minor injuries can have a significant impact on a person’s ability to return to daily activities. A car collision survivor with a broken leg may still need to take time away from work to visit physical therapy and doctors for check-ups.
Another problem with short-term injuries is that the diagnosis of minor injuries may be premature. Soft-tissue injuries and back injuries, for example, can be notoriously hard to diagnose early. Symptoms may not show up immediately and may develop gradually. Some patients who are told their back pain will get better end up with chronic back pain lasting months or years.
It’s important to keep these issues in mind because if you have been in a collision but your insurance company classifies your injuries as minor, you may not get enough to pay for treatment and time away from work. This can cause financial distress because any difference in cost will come from your own pocket.
Dealing With Short-Term Injuries
If you have walked away from a car collision in Miami with what you believe are short-term injuries, there are a few things you will want to do:
- Get a medical evaluation: Even if you think you will recover at home, see a physician who can determine whether your injuries are truly minor. If you continue to feel pain or your injury is not getting better, you may also want to get a second opinion.
- Keep written records of your injury: Keep a diary of all the costs related to your injuries as well as any symptoms and how they affect your life. This can help you determine whether your minor injuries are more serious and require more medical attention.
- See an attorney: If you have been in a car collision, it costs nothing to speak with a Miami car accident claims attorney at Flaxman Law Group. Consulting with an attorney can help you understand whether you have a claim and how much that claim may be worth.
At Flaxman Law Group, we want survivors of car collisions to get the care and support they need, and we know that can mean filing a claim to get compensation to pay for adequate treatment. If you have been injured, talk to the legal team at Flaxman Law Group by calling 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation with a Maimi car accident claims attorney.