Serious car accidents often result in serious injuries, from broken bones to lacerations. You might need X-rays, stitches or surgery to repair the damage. However, some crash injuries aren’t visible.
What are invisible injuries?
As the name implies, invisible injuries are those we cannot see just by looking at someone. We can’t tell where it hurts, how severe the damage might be or how to fix it. Some examples include:
- Brain injuries, including concussions
- Chronic pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
These and other similar conditions may not be something people talk about or notice right after an accident. If you are experiencing any of these, you might not even mention it to a doctor, thinking that the symptoms will eventually go away on their own.
Further, in some cases, it takes time for these to develop after a crash, which means you may not connect it to the incident. They could also be symptoms that result from primary injuries.
However, the fact is that an invisible injury can be just as severe and difficult to cope with as any physical injury you might have.
Why it is crucial to account for these injuries
If you have been in a crash recently, understanding that these injuries can and often do affect victims can be vital. Acknowledging them and talking about them to your doctor can have a tremendous impact on your recovery and allow you to get the help you need.
Accounting for invisible injuries is also essential in the legal context. After a car accident, you could be eligible to receive compensation for your damages. And invisible injuries could be part of this.
Chronic pain or depression could make it difficult to perform at your job; a concussion could cause headaches or sleep problems; PTSD could cause severe anxiety and put immense strain on relationships.
Damages, whether you can see them or not, can take a toll on your life and the lives of the people around you. Taking them seriously can be vital to your recovery.
