As the victim of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries, no matter how minor they may appear.
While the insurance company may try to convince you that your injuries are not that serious, they could be wrong. It is important to discuss the situation with an experienced Fort Worth car accident lawyer.
Our attorneys can review your claim to determine what it may be worth and help you through the legal process. We do not charge you anything for the initial consultation or while we work on your case.
Do I Have a Minor Injury After a Car Accident?
This is a question that is best answered by a qualified medical professional. That said, it can be difficult to define a minor injury. For example, a strained wrist has serious repercussions for an 80-year-old injury victim as opposed to an injury victim who is in his or her 20s.
However, there are some car crash injuries that are often considered minor, particularly by the insurance company, such as:
- Sprain, which refers to stretching or tearing of a ligament
- Strains, which cause damage to muscles or tendons
- Whiplash, which occurs when the neck and head are forced back and forth quickly
- Contusions, also known as bruises
- Lacerations, which are severe cuts
While some of these injuries may not sound like that big of a deal, your age or other factors could make them much worse. These injuries could also be much more severe than they seem. That is why it is important to always seek medical treatment after an accident, no matter how minor your injuries appear. Even though insurance companies often say whiplash is a minor injury, it could cause significant pain for weeks or months.
What Compensation May Be Available for Minor Injuries?
Texas is an at-fault state, which means the at-fault party is responsible for the victim’s damages. Victims usually seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. In some cases, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit to recover maximum compensation.
While each case is different, victims often seek compensation for things like:
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Medical bills include all bills related to treatment for your accident-related injuries unless the treatment is considered unnecessary. That means appointments with doctors, physical therapy, chiropractic care and other forms of treatment may be covered by the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
Is It Worth Filing a Claim for a Minor Car Crash Injury?
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you should always consider filing an injury claim. Even if you believe your injuries were not severe enough to file a claim, you likely will need some medical attention, which will cost money. While you might have health insurance to cover most of the costs, there may still be co-pays and deductibles you are responsible for. If you file an injury claim, you may be able to include these medical bills as part of your compensation.
Additionally, many health insurance companies refuse to cover medical treatment provided for accident injuries since they argue that the at-fault driver’s liability insurance should foot the bill for your treatment.
Filing an injury claim is an important step after an accident, no matter how minor your injuries.
Speak to an Experienced Attorney in Fort Worth About Your Claim
The insurance company may offer a quick settlement, but it would be in your best interest to speak to an experienced attorney before agreeing to it.
Our attorneys know insurance companies regularly make lowball offers, particularly early in the process. We have negotiated with many insurers and have successfully recovered favorable compensation for numerous clients.
There is no obligation to take legal action if you hire us and there are no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation: (817) 920-9000.