CALL 916-777-7777
Youtube Facebook-f X-twitter Linkedin-in

Can I Still Recover Compensation for Minor Injuries?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
Minor injury If you were involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence and only suffered minor injuries, you may be wondering whether you may be able to file a claim to recover compensation for your damages. Our car accident lawyers in Sacramento are prepared to discuss your claim during a free consultation to help you determine the severity of your damages, as even a minor accident may result in costly medical bills. It is also important to remember insurance companies downplay a variety of injuries, including ones that are obviously severe. We do not charge you anything up front and only get paid if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED A MINOR INJURY?

Only a medical professional can truly answer the question of whether you have suffered a minor or major injury. The insurance company may sound certain about the severity of your injury, but only a licensed medical professional gets the final word. That said, there are some injuries that are often considered to be minor, such as:
  • Whiplash
  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Bruises
  • Cuts
  • Scrapes
Sometimes, a police report may include a line about those involved in the accidents having suffered minor injuries – if an ambulance was called to the scene to evaluate a patient but no one was transported. While the insurance company may try to use this against you, it is important to note that an evaluation at the scene may not be thorough enough to catch a potentially more serious injury.

MINOR ACHES AND PAINS MAY BE HIDING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES

Seeing a doctor as soon as possible after an accident is important because some of those minor aches and pains you feel immediately after a crash may be signs of something more severe. Minor pain could be a sign of something like a herniated disc, which may not be caught by an EMT at the scene. Doctors likely need to do imaging tests to determine where the pain is coming from. If your minor aches and pains do turn out to be something more serious, your medical costs are likely to be more than initially expected, which would drive up the value of your claim.

SHOULD I STILL FILE A CLAIM?

It is generally a good idea to file a claim for an accident caused by someone else’s negligence no matter how minor you believe your injuries to be. Remember that a claim not only covers the costs of your medical bills, but it also covers the cost of physical damage to your vehicle. While the insurance company may try to downplay the seriousness of your injuries to try and get you to settle for less than the true value of your claim, our attorneys are prepared to help you fight for maximum compensation. Since it is important to see a doctor no matter how minor your injuries are, you will likely have medical costs because a proper medical evaluation is necessary. These are all expenses that should be covered by the liable party, as the accident was not your fault. Even if you have health insurance, injuries caused by an accident may not be covered, and your medical evaluation would need to be paid for out of your own pocket. Therefore, filing a claim for even minor injuries is an important step to recovering the compensation you need.

WILL I BE ABLE TO RECOVER PAIN AND SUFFERING DAMAGES?

If you only suffered minor injuries after an accident, the liable insurance company is likely going to try and deny offering any compensation for pain and suffering damages. However, you may still be eligible for this type of compensation. Our attorneys are prepared to help you file a claim and determine the value of all your damages, including pain and suffering, even if you suffered minor injuries.

CALL AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY TODAY

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to file a claim for compensation for your damages. Having an attorney by your side to help you through the process may be beneficial as you take on the insurance company, which is trying to downplay your injuries to devalue or deny your claim. Our attorneys have decades of experience helping injury victims maximize their compensation and are prepared to help you do the same.

Call us today at (916) 777-7777 to schedule a free consultation.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.