When “Minor” Accidents Turn Major: Why Hidden Injuries Deserve Serious Legal Attention in California

When we get into accidents, most Californians think, “I’m fine — it was just a little accident.” However, a few hours, days, or weeks after that “minor” incident, that sprain or scrape can become a serious medical issue. Soreness, stiffness, or mild pain after an accident are often not a “minor” problem after all.

You may not realize it, but delayed symptoms are all too common in auto, bike, and workplace accidents. If the cause of the problem is not immediately obvious, insurance companies may doubt that the injury even happened, let alone that it happened from the accident as you claim. If you’ve been hurt after a minor accident in Santa Ana or elsewhere in California, know that our personal injury lawyers are here to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your accident and injuries.

Hidden Injuries after “Minor” Accidents 

Injuries that aren’t immediately obvious after an accident are sometimes called “hidden injuries” or “delayed injuries.” If not treated, a stiff neck or a bruise could cause a severe injury that may need medical attention for the rest of your life. A headache from whiplash might become a serious medical condition. Sometimes, soft tissue and spinal injuries can take time to appear.

However, you should not think that you’re fine simply because the accident was a “minor” one. Because of hidden injuries, seemingly insignificant accidents can lead to severe and costly medical issues. It’s best to take your accident and injury seriously, no matter how small they seem.

At our personal injury law firm, our Santa Ana injury lawyers understand that an accident can result in serious, life-altering injuries. We also know that injured parties are not always aware of their true physical condition until weeks or even months later. That’s why we’re ready to help accident victims and their families recover fair and just compensation from negligent parties, whether we have to deal directly with the individual who caused the accident or their insurance company.

The Problem with “Minor” Accidents 

Why do some injuries take a while to show up? It’s probably because after any accident or fall, adrenaline can keep you from feeling pain right away. After the accident or fall, your adrenaline slowly leaves your system. This is when issues like concussions, whiplash, sore backs, and other hidden injuries may present themselves.

In some cases, the victims’ insurance companies may have closed the case before the injuries have had time to reveal themselves. Some of the most common hidden injuries include the following:

• Soft tissue injuries – Whiplash, muscle sprains, ligament strains, and other soft tissue injuries may only show symptoms days or weeks after the accident.
• Concussion or mild TBI – Symptoms from concussions or other mild traumatic brain injuries (TBI) may not show up until days after the accident.
• Internal bleeding – Internal bleeding and other hidden internal injuries may take time to appear on hospital scans.
• Back and spinal injuries – Herniated discs and pinched nerves may cause lingering pain for the rest of the victim’s life.

Act Fast to Receive Maximum Compensation 

California’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases generally gives harmed individuals two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. But many insurance companies and defense lawyers try to offer low settlements to accident victims early in the claim process in an effort to “make them go away,” often saving insurers thousands of dollars in payouts.

The problem is that unless the accident victim acts quickly, it may become impossible to get a fair settlement. Insurance companies have no intention of giving accident victims and/or their families full compensation for the injuries sustained. They will absolutely use any and all means to get out of the case as soon as possible. The only way to stop insurance companies from getting away with such unfair practices is for the accident victim to hire a skilled and knowledgeable Santa Ana injury lawyer.

Work With a Well-Versed Santa Ana Injury Attorney Right Away to Protect Your Legal Rights

If you or someone you love has been (or potentially has been) injured in a car accident in Santa Ana or elsewhere in California, you are encouraged to contact a Santa Ana personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you protect your right to receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

The accident attorney you contact should do the following for you:

• Investigate the cause of the accident and immediately try to preserve all possible evidence
• Ensure that you see the right doctor for your specific case
• See to it that you get the right medical treatment for your injuries
• Make sure that your injuries are documented in a manner that would clearly show that they are the injuries you sustained as a result of the accident.
• Calculate the extent of your damages, including all future damages and losses.
• Make sure to properly file your claim within the applicable deadline
• Negotiate with the insurance company for full compensation on your behalf
• Represent you during a court trial, if it becomes necessary

Our Santa Ana Injury Attorney is On Your Side

You shouldn’t let anyone, including insurance companies and their defense lawyers, make light of your injuries, no matter how small or insignificant the injuries may seem. The team at our Santa Ana personal injury law firm will fight to ensure you get the maximum compensation due to you for your injuries. Contact us today.