Each year in the US, millions of people suffer injuries in car accidents that are serious enough to warrant medical attention. While some of these injuries will be permanent, many of them are considered short-term injuries. However, even a short-term injury can have permanent impacts, and, in many cases, can have devastating temporary effects. These impacts often include financial distress, missed work, and physical pain and suffering.

California’s personal injury claims process is the legal process that can be used to seek compensation for your injuries. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand how this process works, along with the services that they can provide to assist you with your claim.

What Are Short-Term Car Accident Injuries?

Short-term car accident injuries are injuries that typically do not result in permanent disabilities or require long-term medical treatment. They can, however, result in missed work, medical expenses, and mental health impacts stemming from the trauma of the accident. These injuries can be incurred in any type of accident, at any speed, but are often associated with low-speed accidents.

Many short-term car accident injuries involve damage to the neck and back created by the force of the collision and the seat belt. While they’re considered short-term injuries due to the fact that they’re likely to heal within days or weeks, this doesn’t mean that they are pain-free. Many of these injuries produce a significant amount of pain for the sufferer.

5 Common Short-Term Car Accident Injuries

Some of the most common types of short-term car accident injuries include:

  • Whiplash: This involves damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck. Whiplash is most often associated with rear-end accidents, but can be suffered in any type of motor vehicle accident.
  • Low Back Pain: This is often the result of the soft tissues in this area of the back being stretched beyond their normal range due to the force of the collision.
  • Stiffness: This consists of difficulty moving the head or shoulders, or other soft tissue damage occurring in the upper body.
  • Muscle Spasms: These often occur in the head, neck, or back as a result of strained muscles and the effect of a sudden jarring of the body.
  • Bruises and Abrasions: These most commonly happen due to issues with the seat belt.

While these are some of the most common short-term car accident injuries, you may have others that qualify for a claim as well. Reach out to a car accident attorney today if you have any questions. 

Should You Get a Medical Evaluation if Your Injuries are Minor?

Individuals should always have a thorough medical evaluation after being involved in a car accident. While many short-term injuries will heal with minimal treatment within weeks to months, there is often a delay of hours, days, or even longer between when the injury occurred and when the sufferer began exhibiting symptoms. Many of the symptoms experienced with short-term injuries are similar to those presented by more serious damage, such as broken bones, damage to the vertebrae or discs in the back or neck, or even a traumatic brain injury.

Having a medical evaluation immediately after an accident is the most effective way to determine the seriousness of the injuries that were incurred and also to obtain prompt treatment in order to avoid having the condition worsen. Additionally, if your accident was the result of another driver’s negligence and you intend to seek compensation through the personal injury claims process for the expenses and impacts of the harm you experienced, you will need proof of injuries.

Injured in a Car Accident? Setareh Law Can Help You Understand Your Options

Short-term injuries aren’t the same thing as minor injuries. Although most of these injuries are temporary, they can have a major impact on your life and your finances. The legal team at Setareh Law understands that the legal process is often confusing and overwhelming for those who are trying to recover from short-term car accident injuries. We are on your side and ready to help with your claim.

At Setareh Law, we strive to provide our clients not only with quality legal counsel but with quality support services as well. Our lawyers also speak Spanish. Let us evaluate your case for free and help you understand more about the personal injury claims process. Simply reach out by calling us at (310) 659-1826, or contact us through our online form.