How Long Should You Be Sore After a Car Accident?

Written by Jeremy D. Earle, JD

February 6, 2023

Soreness After a Car Accident

On Colorado’s roads, car accidents are much too prevalent. There were over 250,000 injuries reported to the Colorado Department of Highway Safety and Motor Cars FLHSMV in one recent year. Injuries ranging from mild to severe were inflicted on the victims as a result of this startling number. After a car accident, the aches and pains are always worrying since it’s hard to tell what’s normal and what should be checked out by a doctor.

During a car collision, our bodies are filled with adrenaline, which may obscure the severity of our injuries. An car collision might cause mild aches and pains as your body adjusts to its new normal state because of the high levels of adrenaline in your blood. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how long minor aches and pains will last after an accident since there are several things to consider.

PAIN AFTER CAR ACCIDENTS: FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PAIN

Injuries caused in a car collision are unique to each person. Therefore rehabilitation depends on the individual. Several other variables, such as how fast you recuperate, will also play a role.

THE SPEED OF THE CARS INVOLVED

A collision between two cars moving at 20 miles per hour will result in fewer injuries than a collision between two cars traveling at 65 miles per hour. The more quickly the cars are driving, the more probable that the injuries will be severe.

It doesn’t matter whether the two cars involved are of different sizes; the collision might still result in significant injuries. However, if a car hits a motorbike, even if the motorcycle operator is at fault, the motorcycle operator is more likely to be seriously injured. Regardless of the size of the other car involved, the smaller car’s passengers and driver are more likely to be critically hurt when a tractor-trailer is involved.

THE USAGE OF SAFETY EQUIPMENT

A car crash may result in your airbags deploying, which may result in an injury from the airbags themselves. Injuries to the face, chest or other parts of the body may occur. In most cases, these injuries are significantly less severe than if the car did not have airbags or did not properly deploy. Similarly, seatbelts may cause injuries, but they prevent considerably more serious physical injury. This is also true.

WHERE THE EFFECT WILL BE FELT

If you were injured in a rear-end crash, your recovery period would likely be longer than if you were injured in a side collision or head-on collision. There are a variety of

injuries that may come from various points of contact, all of which will affect the length of time it takes to heal.

INJURIES OF MANY TYPES: It may take weeks or even months before you feel like yourself again after a brain injury. Even if you just have a fractured bone, it might take you up to six weeks to feel well. The severity of your injuries will decide how long it will take for you to recuperate. If you’ve suffered a significant injury, you’re probably in greater pain.

THE STRENGTH OF YOUR CHARACTERIt will take longer for those with physical disabilities to recover from an injury. In general, anticipate a kid to heal more quickly than an elderly person. Those with compromised immune systems may be more susceptible to problems after a car accident injury. Your physical and mental well-being might affect your healing time.

HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO RECOVER FROM VARIOUS TYPES OF INJURIES

The more severe the damage, the longer it will take to heal. Within a few days, if you have just minor bumps and bruises, you’ll likely be back to your old self. On the other hand, some injuries may take more time to heal, which means you may have to deal with some pain for a longer time.

Injuries to the soft tissues, such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles, are called soft tissue injuries. There is always some level of force that might affect your joints in a car collision.

It’s the most prevalent sort of soft-tissue damage. It may take up to three months for some people to recover from whiplash, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. For others, stiffness may continue much longer.

Concussions are prevalent after a car collision and may be minor or severe, depending on the severity. When your body is jolted, your brain impacts the inside of your skull, resulting in a concussion.

Immediately after a concussion, victims may feel hazy vision, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. It’s possible, though, that long-term issues like exhaustion and difficulty to focus might suggest a more severe issue.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that a moderate concussion takes around a month for complete recovery. Recovery from more severe traumatic brain injuries may take months or more, and in rare cases, the person may never completely recover from the traumas they sustained.

When you hit your face on the steering wheel or the airbag deploys, you may suffer from various facial injuries. For those who have cuts, scratches, or more serious injuries, it may take a month or more to feel comfortable after an accident that may just result in minor bruises.

Injuries to the ribs and clavicle may be highly painful, and the healing process can be quite delayed. As much as nine months of recuperation time may be required for patients with broken collarbones. Depending on the degree of the break, broken ribs may cause agony for weeks or even months at a time.

BROKEN LIMB INJURIES — If you break an arm or leg in a car accident, you’ll likely require a cast for many weeks. In certain cases, the fractured bone may need surgery.

Other injuries need a long period of rehabilitation. An injury to your back or neck, for example, might give you discomfort for the rest of your life. Accident victims should not overlook the psychological effects of a car accident. But even if they don’t hurt, they’re just as destructive.

PREVENTION OF ILLNESS AFTER A CAR CRASH

Those who have been injured in car accidents must take care of their physical and emotional well-being. Any symptoms that are out of the ordinary should be brought to the attention of your primary care physician, as should any severe discomfort. For the most part, time is the only thing that can help you heal after a traumatic event like a car accident.

They frequently feel the need to show that they’ve recovered from their injuries by returning to work or their customary activities as soon as feasible. Injuries to the internal organs might go undetected for a few days, making this a common error. After a car accident, it’s a good idea to avoid intense activity for at least a few days to avoid any injuries that might lead to long-term difficulties.

Ensure you’re getting enough rest and listening to your body during the first few days after an accident. Also, be on the lookout for any unexpected changes in mood or behavior that might indicate trauma that is being concealed by the event itself.

THE TRUTH ABOUT INSURANCE AND RECOVERY FIRMS

You will almost always be asked a series of seemingly innocuous questions when you first talk with your insurance carrier. Do not blame the accident, do not answer inquiries about how you are feeling, and be cautious while answering any queries. Use common sense.

As a general rule of thumb, let the insurance provider know that you’ll be obtaining legal guidance before answering any of their queries. Avoid answering any questions regarding your health, especially if the insurance adjuster is recording your responses.

Once an accident has been reported to your insurance carrier, they will likely work hard to settle your claim as soon as possible. A rapid settlement is better for insurance companies’ bottom lines, and they’re right. A person’s recovery time is virtually hard to predict after an accident because of many factors at play.

If you settle quickly, you won’t have to worry about paying for any more medical costs, time away from work, or other expenditures. One reason not to accept an insurance company’s initial offer is that the firm will make their lowest offer and require that you sign an agreement that says the insurance company is not liable for any extra expenditures incurred after the acceptance date has passed.

Another usual procedure before an insurance company offers a payment is a review of your medical records.’ Using this strategy, the insurance company will learn about any health difficulties you may have had before the accident. Your insurer could use a preexisting condition argument to reject your claim if, for example, you’ve experienced intermittent back, shoulder, or neck discomfort. Preexisting conditions may be made worse by a car accident and cause additional pain and suffering.

As long as you’ve paid your premiums and have a valid insurance policy, you have a contract with the insurance company. The adjuster assigned to your case has a direction to save the firm money. It’s usual for insurance companies to dismiss claims or give low settlements as quickly as possible after an accident. While you are recovering from your injuries and learning about your legal options, an experienced Colorado car accident attorney can help you understand your rights and prevent the insurance company from taking advantage of you.

AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT, SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE

After a car accident, victims may and should take several precautions to protect themselves. Victims of car accidents, on the other hand, should seek legal counsel. After you’ve seen a doctor and notified your insurance provider of the accident, it’s usually advisable to file this claim. Legal counsel may assist you in avoiding complications with your insurance provider even if the cause isn’t immediately apparent.

A no-fault insurance system in place in Colorado means that every accident you cause will be reported to your insurance provider. Your insurance company will be responsible for paying your claim, and your policy limitations will influence how much they are prepared to pay.

Only a small percentage of drivers go beyond the $10,000 limit for Medical Payments coverage (MedPay). Those seriously injured may discover that their medical expenditures and lost wages are significantly more than this sum.

A personal injury lawsuit after a car accident is never a sure thing due to the many variables that come into play. However, since each accident is unique, it’s best to speak with an attorney familiar with the state’s personal injury laws and how they apply to your particular case. After a car accident, many people have concerns about their legal rights and duties, and speaking with a Colorado car accident attorney is the best way to receive the answers you need.

If an attorney decides to handle your car accident injury case, you do not have to worry about paying legal costs until you agree to a settlement in your case. Remember, initial consultations and case assessments are often free. For free, call a lawyer and have your case examined to learn about your alternatives.

Free Consultation

NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN

You May Also Like…