Car accidents happen within seconds, but the aftereffect they leave on our bodies can be lifelong and very painful. Accidents can cause a heavy toll on our bodies through the pain. A car accident can cause two types of effects on us, acute and chronic pain.
While acute pain can be an immediate effect, and with minor treatments, it can be fixed, chronic pain is severe and can last for a long time if not adequately treated.
Chronic Pain from Car Accident
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), chronic pain from car accidents can be experienced through headache, back pain, arthritic pain, and neurological pain.
Also, chronic pain has a severe psychological effect on a person as treating them is financially challenging, and coming around from the pain is psychically tough and time-consuming. This constant pain can cause unnerving stress, anxiety, frustration, depression, and sleeplessness. The two most common chronic pain from a car accident is whiplash and back & neck pain.
Whiplash
One of the most common chronic pain that is connected to a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash is a type of neck disturbance that occurs when there is a sudden backward and forward movement of the head.
The main problem with this kind of pain is that it is not immediate and takes effect after a couple of days. Some of the symptoms that can be felt due to whiplash are neck stiffness, headache, dizziness, neck, shoulder, and back pain.
Neck and back pain
Neck and back pains are another very common car accident fatality that can turn into a very chronic spinal injury. What starts as minor muscle soreness, can turn into very severe chronic pain that may need intense medical treatment.
Even without the severity, the pain can be very irritating and mentally disturbing after a car accident. Spondylolisthesis is one very severe type of back injury where a Vertebrata dislocates due to a car accident.
Some other forms of chronic pain
Along with whiplash and neck and back pain, there are other spinal and tissue fatality injuries that are related to chronic pain from a car accident.
- Spinal trauma
- Back sprain
- Dislocation
- Disc displacement
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
Dealing With Chronic Pain from Car Accident
While treating severe chronic pain is out of your hand, there are always ways to decrease the pain by taking control and following some pain management protocols.
Immediate checkup with the doctor
Chronic pain is a severe medical condition, and calling the doctor right after an accident is a must for a car accident victim. If you are taken to emergency medical treatment, always be open and tell the doctors about every condition of your body due to the car accident.
Any kind of pain kept untreated will only be a headache for you. Immediate treatment can be life-saving for the victim of a car accident.
Exploring alternative treatment
While traditional medical treatment can be your go-to choice, alternative therapies like psychological counseling, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, and physical therapy can also be useful in treating chronic pain. These therapies and alternative options are recommended by many leading medical experts as well.
Contact personal injury attorney
Finally, it is essential to contact your injury lawyer to take you through the legal processes of claiming insurance and compensation claims from a car accident. Attorneys may not be able to help in your physical comfort, and their services will surely keep your balance and mental health at ease.
Claiming Compensation
When you’re claiming compensation for your chronic pain from a car accident, you’ll definitely need your personal injury attorney and 3 types of evidence to prove your case.
Medical records
The best prove of your injury is medical records. This will show exact and correct information to claim your compensation in court.
Expert testimony
Although medical records should be enough to prove your claim, an expert who specializes in your type of injury can also testify for the severity and treatment of the damage.
Pain-related journal
Having a recorded journal of pain levels and accident experience can also increase the credibility of the compensation claim.
Conclusion
A car accident can be very horrifying, and chronic injury from a car accident can lead to life-long physical constrain in your life. Seeking proper medical treatment and claiming compensation can ease the process of recovery of chronic pain from car accidents.