Can You Get Compensation for a Minor Car Accident Injury?

People sometimes wonder whether it’s worth the hassle of filing an insurance claim when a car accident results in a relatively minor injury. According to Manfred Sternberg & Associates, the answer is: Sometimes, yes.

Soft-tissue injuries

Injuries from fender-bender car accidents may initially seem deceptively minor, especially when they lead to soft-tissue injuries. Soft-tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, or ligaments and may not manifest themselves for some time after the incident. They can be tough to diagnose because they’re not detectable through X-rays or CT scans.

Soft-tissue injuries include:

• Sprains, strains, and whiplash
• Contusions (bruises), tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons), and bursitis (inflammation of areas around muscles, bones, and tendons)
• Concussions, head and neck injuries, and facial injuries

These types of injuries may not become apparent for days or even weeks. Once felt, however, they can incapacitate the injured person for a long time, causing prolonged discomfort and time lost from work. Those whose jobs pay hourly could risk losing 100 percent of their income while recovering.

Since such injuries aren’t easily detectable with diagnostic equipment, insurance companies routinely reject claims, knowing it will be hard for a plaintiff to prove them in court. Insurers also routinely deny claims for injuries where medical expenses amount to a few thousand dollars, hoping that the insured person won’t go to the hassle of contesting the denial of coverage.

An experienced personal injury firm can make it much easier to pursue a claim that’s been denied. A law firm like Manfred Sternberg & Associates can work with your healthcare providers to gather documentation proving the severity of the injury. Simply having the firm send a demand letter to the insurance company shows that you mean business and often makes the insurer less inclined to drag out the reimbursement process.

In Case of Minor Injuries, See Your Doctor and Consult a Law Firm

If you should find yourself in an accident and feel persistent pain or discomfort for the next few days, don’t delay making an appointment with a medical professional. After that, if your insurer shows signs of trying to drag out the reimbursement process, contact Manfred Sternberg & Associates here or call 713-547-5460.