How Long Do Most Car Accident Injury Symptoms Last?

Immediately following a car accident, regardless of the severity, it’s imperative to evaluate yourself and the other involved parties for injuries. While in some cases you may just be able to schedule a doctor’s appointment with your primary care physician the next day, this isn’t always the case. You may need to call 9-1-1 to request the assistance of emergency medical responders.

Unfortunately, car accidents occur regularly in Illinois. Just in 2015, there were 313,316 motor vehicle accidents. Of those accidents, 21 percent resulted in injury. Of the crashes resulting in injury, 15.3 percent resulted in incapacitating injuries that prevent the injured individuals from walking, driving, or normally continuing the activities they were capable of doing prior to sustaining the injury. Many of those severe injuries included lacerations, broken bones, skull or chest injuries, or abdominal injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering how long your car accident injury symptoms will last. The answer to this questions is rarely simple. Your doctor will be able to provide you with the best course of action to take to recover from your injury; however, we can take a look at some of the most common car accident injuries and what the recovery process typically looks like.

Common Car Accident Injuries

While there is no way to predict what sort of injuries you might sustain in an auto accident, there are some common injuries that many car accident victims have to recover from.

Broken Bones. Broken bones can be incredibly painful. They often take a long time to heal and may require multiple surgeries and physical therapy. The recovery process can be debilitating because of casts and pain, which may make it impossible to go back to work as quickly as you would like.

Burn Injuries. The seriousness of burn injuries varies greatly. While some first-degree burns may require burn ointment, proper cleaning, and bandages, third-degree burns can alter lives. Severe burns often require skin grafts and months of treatment. The recovery process can be incredibly painful.

Head and Brain Injuries. The head and brain can sustain numerous injuries in a car accident. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and lacerations are possible. If not treated, head and brain injuries can lead to severe complications and even death.

Neck and Back Injuries. Neck and back injuries also vary in seriousness. Some injuries, like whiplash or sprains, can be painful; however, most people recover fully after weeks or months. More serious injuries, like spinal cord damage, can result in paralysis and death.

Soft Tissue Injuries. Soft tissue injuries, like stretched or torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments, can be incredibly painful and often linger for long periods of time if not treated properly.

Estimating the Recovery Process

Unfortunately, there’s not an entirely accurate way to predict or estimate when your injury symptoms will go away. Your doctor will be able to provide you with advice on how to best treat your injuries; however, complications can occur. In some case, there are injuries that don’t show up right away. If you notice new or worsening conditions after a car wreck, seek medical attention as soon as you can.

While it’s important to manage your physical injuries after a car accident, it’s equally as important to address your mental state. Car accidents are often traumatic, and you may be experiencing symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder or depression after an accident. You may want to consider attending therapy sessions to discuss what happened so you can heal mentally, as well.

If you have been the victim of a car accident resulting in serious injury, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Before your medical bills and additional expenses pile up, contact our Illinois car accident lawyers. We’ll help you build a strong case, so you can receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. Contact us today for a free consultation.