Are My Injuries Serious Enough to Make a Claim?

There are times when a person is so severely injured in an accident there is no question whether or not to file a personal injury claim. The amount of money, time, and misery experienced because of the accident makes the need for compensation obvious.

But this isn’t always the case. Sometimes, even with injuries, victims aren’t sure whether a claim is necessary.

How do you decide if your injuries and resulting damages are serious enough for a legal claim?

First, understand that you are not alone. Many people involved in accidents question whether or not their situation is serious enough to file a claim. Some even wonder if they should bother seeing a doctor.

Unfortunately, in many of these cases, injuries aren’t apparent immediately. This means that skipping a medical evaluation or and not filing a claim costs you an opportunity to be compensated if you discover your injuries later. Not all injuries are obvious or visible. There is nothing “too minor” to avoid medical attention if you’ve been involved in an accident.

For example, you should seek medical attention and consider speaking to an attorney about a personal injury claim if you experience any of the following:

• Swelling, bruising, or inflammation
• Broken bones
• Concussion
• Whiplash or stiffness in the neck
• Throbbing pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Weakness or inability to move muscles or your body
• Emotional injuries or trauma
• Inability to work or participate in your usual activities

Keep in mind, you might be too “amped up” in the immediate aftermath of an accident to realize you’ve been injured. The rush of adrenaline you experience interferes with your body’s ability to register pain or any other abnormality.

If only for peace of mind, it’s important to seek a professional opinion about your health after an accident.

What about Legal Action?

Just because you see a doctor after you’re injured doesn’t mean you have to file a lawsuit. If the doctor gives you the “all clear” and tells you there are no injuries and you feel fine in the hours and days following the accident, there’s no reason to file a personal injury lawsuit.

But if this isn’t the case, you might be entitled to legal compensation. The most common reasons people file personal injury claims after an accident include:

Loss of function: If you are unable to conduct life as you did before the accident, even if your injuries are not permanent, you should speak to an attorney. Even temporary injuries create havoc in your life and can be financially detrimental.

Permanent injury: Personal injury lawsuits are filed when someone experiences an injury from which they will never heal. Permanent injuries require long-term care and can be very expensive.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s situation is different. Don’t base your decision on whether or not to speak to an attorney on what anyone else did. An injury that does little to change someone else’s life could drastically affect all aspects of yours. You’re better off consulting with an attorney who can evaluate your situation and determine if you have a case.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, we can help. For more information or to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, contact Brad Hall at Lyons, Gaddis in Longmont at (303) 776-9900 or in Louisville at (720) 726-3670.