How To Prove Long-Term Injuries After a Car Accident

You don’t have to suffer both physical and financial stress due to your injuries. An Allentown car accident lawyer can help you pursue just compensation to cover the financial burden as you recover. Read on to learn a few steps that can strengthen your case.

What Should You Do Right After Your Accident?

We know that right after your accident, you’re probably handling several pressing issues. Still, try to take the following actions just in case you need to make a personal injury claim later on in your recovery process.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

After a car accident, it’s important to see a medical professional, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal damage, might not show symptoms right away. A quick medical evaluation creates an official record of your condition that links your injuries to the accident. Once urgent injuries have been treated, it’s time to call a lawyer.

Document the Accident Scene

The first moments after an accident are an opportunity to collect evidence that may prove invaluable later. Take photos of the scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses, get their contact information and a brief statement if possible.

How Can You Document Your Injuries?

If injuries do appear during or even days after your accident, keep a record of how these injuries affected you. To do so, review the following documentation:

Comprehensive Medical Records

Your medical records are among the most important pieces of evidence when proving long-term injuries. These documents should include details about your initial diagnosis, prescribed treatments, medications, and any referrals to specialists. They not only establish the severity of your injuries but also demonstrate how long they’ve lasted, as well as how they may have changed.

It’s also important to attend your follow-up appointments, as they help your doctor monitor your recovery and document any complications. Skipping appointments or delaying treatment could weaken your claim by creating gaps in the timeline of your medical care.

Injury Journal

A personal injury journal is a powerful tool for showcasing the day-to-day impact of your injuries. Keep a detailed log of your pain levels, emotional struggles, and physical limitations.

 
For instance, note how your injury keeps you from performing tasks like driving, exercising, or engaging in hobbies. If you can’t knit, hike, or throw a ball for your dog, write it down and make a note of any frustrations you may have.

 
This might sound a little tedious, but it creates a firsthand account and provides a narrative that complements medical records. It can help give a human perspective that complements the medical notes you already have.

Challenges in Proving Long-Term Injuries

If you broke a bone or damaged an organ, it’s pretty easy to prove the injury happened. However, some injuries are hard to see — and even harder to prove.

Invisible Injuries

One of the biggest challenges in proving long-term injuries is when they are not visible or easy to measure. For instance, chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, and psychological trauma (like post-traumatic stress disorder), can significantly impact your life but are hard to prove in court.

Other invisible injuries commonly associated with car crashes can include:
- Soft tissue injuries like sprains, strains, damage to muscles/tendons,/ligaments
- Herniated discs (damage to the spinal disc that leads to chronic pain or nerve issues)
- Whiplash, neck, and back injuries caused by a sudden jerking motion
- Concussions (mild traumatic brain injuries from head impact)
- Delayed Symptom Onset

Certain injuries, like whiplash or concussions, might not show symptoms immediately. This delay can make it hard to link the injuries directly to the accident. Keeping a timeline of when your symptoms appeared and consulting medical experts can help bridge this gap and validate your claim.

A delayed pain response can be caused by a flood of adrenaline and endorphins post-accident.

Why Should You Work With a Lawyer?

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you analyze your case and make it as airtight as possible. They understand the legal process and know how to gather the evidence you need to prove long-term injuries. Attorneys also know which experts to work with to strengthen your case, as well as which mistakes to avoid.

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts by questioning the severity of your injuries or how necessary your treatments were. A skilled lawyer can negotiate to help make sure all aspects of your damages — including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering — are accounted for in your settlement.

The Bottom Line

Proving long-term injuries after a car accident requires a combination of thorough documentation, expert support, and strategic legal guidance. From collecting medical records and personal documentation to identifying invisible injuries and seeking professional representation, building a strong case requires each step.