How a Lack of Awareness in Your Injury Can Affect the Value of Your Auto Accident Claim

If you have suffered an injury in an auto accident and are seeking to file a personal injury claim in the State of California, it is likely that the severity of the injury will affect the value of the claim. When a person suffers an injury, there are two major factors that should be considered with respect to the injury:

The injury will be apparent immediately after the incident or will otherwise take a few days/weeks to be noticeable; and/or
The injury is a short-term injury that will heal quickly or will be a long-term injury that can be permanent or take many years to heal.

When an auto accident happens, without regard to the severity of the collision, any person involved in the accident can fail to recognize the gravity of the injuries he or she may have sustained. Failing to recognize the symptoms of an injury in the aftermath of an accident can happen as a result of several of reasons. Some of these will be explained in this article, however the key aspect is in recognizing that acting swiftly following an auto accident is imperative in protecting the victim’s rights.

If you have suffered injuries because of a negligent driver or other careless party, consider seeking the legal expertise of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who can defend your rights. If your injury is not immediately apparent, a skilled attorney can help you understand what the best course of action for your specific case. Failing to act quickly can greatly undermine many aspects of your case, which include the ability to obtain evidence that the incident occurred.

Reasoning Behind the Lack of Awareness Following a Collision

As previously mentioned, there could be several reasons why a victim can fail to recognize that he or she has sustained an injury after the accident. The most apparent reason is the state of emotion the victim is immediately after the accident.

Many auto accident victims can experience a sudden adrenaline rush that can impair their ability to feel pain. According to an article published in the Hormone Health Network, the release of adrenaline will trigger a person’s fight or flight response, which causes a physical reaction in a person’s body that helps them determine if they need to fight a dangerous situation or flee/cover.

Under the same article, it is also stated that the physical reactions associated with adrenaline can decrease a person’s ability to feel pain. In many cases, adrenaline can cause an increase in performance or strength, along with a heightened sense of awareness in traumatic situations.

Regrettably, many accident victims will assume that they either did not sustain an injury after an accident or state to the negligent driver that they are “okay”. Both of these scenarios can have severe repercussions for those who seek to file a personal injury claim against the negligent driver.

Since adrenaline’s effects have the potential to last for up to an hour after the accident, falsely making a statement that there were no injuries could be detrimental. Further, assuming that an injury did not take place can lead to a person’s inaction in seeking medical care. This is also damaging to a personal injury case as taking long to seek medical assistance could be seen as making an injury worse.

How a Long Term Injury Can Affect Your Claim

Not having the ability to immediately recognize an injury is not the only issue face by victims of an auto collision. Injured victims also face the potential of having an injury that has lifelong consequences.

Long-term injuries are commonly referred to as residual injuries. These types of injuries are known to have permanent effects on a victim, which could be visible by the following: Back stiffness, Joint stiffness, Scarring, Emotional trauma, and/or other permanent physical incapacitations.

The Effect in Value on a Personal Injury Claim

When a person has suffered a residual injury, it is likely that his or her damages award will increase significantly. This is because the more serious an injury can be, the more likely it will take an effect on the person’s quality of life. When a victim has suffered a permanent or long lasting grievance, he or she can experience a change in his or her ability to work, home life, or other recreation.

Furthermore, long-term injuries can also be more costly. In many situations, a long lasting injury can present a lifetime of medical treatment and medications.

If you have sustained a long-term grievance resulting from an auto accident, your claim should indicate that you have sustained a residual injury, which will likely signify a higher financial compensation.

Seek Medical Attention and Obtain the Support of a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney

In the aftermath of an auto accident, a person will not always be immediately aware that he or she has sustained a residual injury. If you have been involved in an auto accident, it is vital to seek medical care straight away. While seeking medical attention will not always immediately identify a long-term injury, it will establish a medical record, which is an invaluable part of a successful personal injury claim.

When it comes to a personal injury claim, it is important to know that the State of California imposes strict deadlines in order to file a claim. For an injured person who is unaware that he or she has a residual injury, this can be detrimental to obtaining the sufficient amount of compensation to cover necessary medical expenses. It is therefore highly important to seek the legal expertise of an experienced personal injury attorney. A skilled attorney can help to ensure that the victim receives the compensation he or she deserves.

If you have sustained an injury as a result of a negligent party, seek the support of a specialized attorney who can help you file a claim. Attorney Just H. King is proficient in the field of auto accident claims. Attorney King has dedicated his career to helping accident victims obtain the financial compensation they deserve.

Categories : Auto Accidents, Personal Injury Misc.

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By Justin H. King, Esq. | Posted on December 24, 2018

17:05 25 Oct 24

Thank you so much to Oliver King and Garrett Tuckerman for helping me with my case. They've been outstanding. Although the process was overwhelming, I felt reassured, supported, and listened to. I highly recommend the Law offices of Justin King to anyone who needs help.

Savana Martinez

18:30 04 Sep 24

The team at Law Office of Justin King went above and beyond with my case.It was my first big automobile accident while being 6 months pregnant and I was terrified. I called them the same day and they took on my case immediately.Throughout the whole process they were communicative and on top of everything. I would recommend to everyone and would go back to them again if need be.Thank you to this amazingly firm !

Hate Nine

06:01 04 Sep 24

Wow! I can't say enough good things about the Law Offices of Justin King. Attitude starts at the top, & this firm is top tier. They represented me (& yes we won!) for an injury I sustained while riding my motorcycle westbound on the 10. Someone changed lanes without looking, which resulted in a knee injury, a lot of physical therapy, & a totaled motorcycle. I wasn't sure what to do or if this were even something worth pursuing. I found Justin's webpage & sent a quick message to him on a Saturday night then thought nothing of it. My first call from Justin was Sunday morning. I was immediately impressed. After hearing a bit of my story & asking a few questions I was ready to have Justin represent me. My first question was "How much do I need to come up with to get this started? Justin replied, you don't owe anything until we win. Not unless, until. That set the tone of the next 2 years of my life. As your case progresses it'll require work from you & a whole team working to represent you. Staci will call & let you know she's emailing documents that require signatures; Garrett will call to ask for details they need to understand & yes, he will call to remind you that you forgot to sign a document 3 days earlier. These are great people who genuinely care. They will take time to understand your needs & they communicate every step of the way. If you are injured, you need to call Justin & his team right away. You will not be disappointed!Google only allows 5 stars, but these guys deserve 10!

Vivian Garcia

01:00 15 Aug 24

I was involved in my first big automobile accident last year, in Yorba Linda. I was a bit overwhelmed as you can imagine. Friends suggested that I hire an attorney to handle my case and I was not quite sure how to proceed. I was very fortunate when I was referred to Justin King’s office.I met with Mr. King and found him to be very personable and he listened to my concerns. I felt very comfortable and confident that he would help me in getting a fair outcome to my case.I want to also thank Garrett Tuckerman for all he did in keeping me updated with everything going on with my case and for being there whenever I had any questions or concerns. I also want to mention Leoni Barrera who was always pleasant and supportive when I called.I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King for your personal injury needs. I feel that Mr. King and his whole staff, with their knowledge, expertise and professionalism will help make your experience a less stressful one.

Lisa Perchez

21:53 29 Jul 24

Last July I was struck by a falling case of liquor at Total Wine in Rancho Cucamonga which led to a slip and fall. My friends and family urged me to contact a lawyer after discovering I needed surgery to repair my broken wrist. A friend found Justin King on Google. Justin was compassionate, accessible, and took charge from the very first meeting. He was able to obtain the surveillance video capturing the entire incident, and made an appointment for me to see a prominent neurologist after the video showed the case struck the front of my head. The entire staff at The Law Offices of Justin H. King were very easy to work with, and I always felt like my case was getting personal attention. Thank you Garrett, Staci, and Leoni! My case went to mediation and settled for more than 3x what they originally offered. If you have been injured in an accident, I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King.

Leslie S.

18:26 13 Jul 24

I want to thank Justin and his amazing office. They made a very traumatic/ nightmare of a situation into a more bearable situation every step of the way. They kept us updated and we were reassured that we were in good hands. I want to also express my gratitude to Garrett for being so empathic and supportive through the ups and downs that comes with a case. We are so blessed to have had them handle our case. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a professional and dependable office. Thank you again Justin King Office!!!

Melinda Jordan

09:02 18 Dec 22

I went from feeling like a basket case from all the stress to feeling calm and collected after talking to Justin. He is a phenomenal personal injury lawyer and is a truly calming and reassuring presence. This firm helped me in ways I can't even adequately put into words, other than to say Thank You, Justin, to you and your awesome team.

Marjorie Harris

04:14 18 Dec 22

After an auto accident, I felt really nervous calling an attorney because I had never worked with one before. But from the first conversation I had with Jessica, I felt so at ease. Justin then called me and was so easy going and we had a nice conversation too. The entire staff took great care of me and I am very happy.

Sheila Hughes

03:45 18 Dec 22

I was in a car accident that was not my fault two years ago. A friend of mine had a family member who had been helped in the past by Justin King, and they suggested I call him. I'm so glad I did! Justin and his team took great care of my situation and got a great settlement for me. I highly recommend them if you have been in an accident. You will be very happy with what this firm. They are smart, hard-working, honest, and take great care of their clients.

Margaret James

04:43 01 Dec 22

Justin's entire staff is the best car accident lawyer team in Rancho Cucamonga. Justin, Oliver, Jessica, and Garrett all provided me with excellent service and treated me like family. They are all such great people, and always so honest and responsive to me. I gladly recommend them to anyone needing the services of a car accident lawyer in the Inland Empire.

Wm Holland

06:13 17 Nov 22

When I needed a lawyer following a car accident on the Interstate 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, Justin King, and his team were there for me. I appreciated how his entire staff always seemed happy to answer my questions and were so good about returning all my phone calls and emails. I could tell this firm has immense experience in helping people get their life back after an unfortunate car crash. I was so happy with the outcome of my case and the results Justin obtained from the insurance company on my behalf. I have recommended their office to all my family members and neighbors. I hope you never need to call them. But if you need the best car accident lawyers, I can vouch that they are excellent.