How Long Does Pain After a Car Accident Last?

Lasting pain can be one of the most frustrating parts of a car accident. Pain can disrupt an accident victim’s life and create costly bills for prescriptions and medical attention. Unfortunately, not all pain is temporary, and all injured parties should be aware of their possible future disabilities as well as ways they can be compensated.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if you feel fine initially after being involved in a car accident, it is always wise to see a doctor or other medical professional. The shock of the accident, other injuries, and delayed symptoms can all work to mask serious conditions that need treatment. Seeing a medical professional also creates documentation that can help you prove the extent of your injuries to your insurance company. These records can also be used in a lawsuit if you choose to take legal action. Talking to a medical professional after an accident is essential to protect your own health and to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Recovery Times of Common Injuries

While recovery times vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury, having a timeline in mind can help patients determine if their body is healing as it should. Here are some predicted recovery times for common car accident injuries:

• Whiplash: Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that may occur when the neck is jolted suddenly or sharply. It may present as a dull or aching pain or as general stiffness in the neck. Most patients are typically healed within a month.
• Other Soft Tissue Injuries: These injuries affect structures that support bones and joints. They may cause pain, swelling, and bruising. Most soft tissue injuries clear up within six weeks.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Brain injuries range in both seriousness and recovery time. While a concussion can clear up in a matter of weeks, other injuries may never fully heal. The CDC estimates that only 26% of Americans with severe TBIs will improve over a five-year period.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in those under 65. Recovery depends largely on the severity of the injury and some patients may never fully recover.
• Herniated Discs: Herniated discs typically heal in four to six weeks and some patients may even experience relief in only a few days. These injuries are characterized by a shooting pain, numbness, or weakness.
• Shoulder Injuries: Shoulder sprains may recover in only a week or two. Fractures typically take around six weeks and may require medical attention in order to remedy any displacement.
• Knee Injuries: There are four ligaments in the knee that can be injured. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injuries are the most common in car accidents and may take anywhere from 10 days to nine months to heal depending on the severity of the injury.

Pursuing Compensation

Injuries are often costly as well as painful. Many car accident victims face high medical bills and days or weeks of lost wages. Because Michigan is a No-Fault state, all parties should file a claim with their own insurer after an accident. The No-Fault benefits they provide can help alleviate some of the financial burden placed on accident victims. In more serious crashes, however, this may not be enough. Injured parties can additionally sue anyone 50% or more at fault for the crash for further damages. These damages may include compensation for excess medical bills, pain and suffering, or other economic losses.

Experiencing Pain After an Accident? We Can Help.

At the Mike Morse Law Firm, we have decades of experience fighting insurance companies and helping our client prove the extent of their pain. Accident victims deserve compensation for their injuries and our expert attorneys know how to get it for them. Call us today at 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) or contact us through our website to set up a free consultation.