Car crashes can cause many different types of injuries. People can break bones or injure their spinal cords. They can hurt their brains. They can sustain lacerations that result in dramatic blood loss. Any of those injuries might receive immediate care.
However, people may be less anxious about identifying and treating soft-tissue injuries. Some people have a dismissive attitude about soft-tissue injuries. They don’t consider them serious or understand the need for medical care after sustaining one.
Those involved in collisions, especially occupants of the front vehicle in a rear-end crash scenario, may need to undergo medical evaluation to determine if they may have a soft-tissue injury. Failing to secure a formal diagnosis can be a costly mistake.
Soft-tissue injuries can be expensive to address
Soft-tissue injuries like whiplash or traumatic strains and sprains require medical care. Doctors can prescribe muscle relaxants or pain relievers that can help people heal more quickly and control their pain symptoms.
They can also potentially refer people out for physical therapy to help them improve their strength and range of motion after they heal or help them learn new body mechanics to avoid worsening their injury during their recovery. The care costs of soft-tissue injuries can easily add up to thousands of dollars.
Depending on the extent of the injury and the individual’s profession, a soft-tissue injury could also force the injured person to take time away from their job. They might require a leave of absence until they fully recover if their career is physically demanding. Other times, they may have to absorb a reduction in income if they move to light-duty work functions until they heal.
How a timely diagnosis helps
If people involved in car crashes see a doctor shortly afterward, they can connect their symptoms to the collision. That strengthens their ability to hold the driver at fault for the crash accountable.
Liability insurance can reimburse people for medical expenses and help cover their lost income. It may also be possible to file a personal injury lawsuit in scenarios where a driver does not have insurance or the total cost of a soft-tissue injury is above what insurance covers.
Getting a diagnosis is a necessary component of a successful condensation claim for car crash injuries. People who understand that soft tissue injuries can result in major consequences and may generate significant expenses can be inspired to take the right steps to protect themselves after a collision.