Car accidents happen far too often on Missouri roads, and while some result in minor bumps and bruises, many leave victims dealing with significant injuries. Beyond the immediate shock and vehicle damage, these injuries can lead to long-term physical pain, emotional distress, mounting medical bills, and lost income. Understanding the types of injuries commonly sustained in crashes and how they can impact a personal injury claim in Missouri is crucial for anyone involved in an accident.
At Sticklen & Sticklen, with offices in Joplin and Columbia, we frequently help clients who have suffered a wide range of injuries due to another driver’s negligence. We know that the physical and financial toll of these injuries can be immense, and we are dedicated to helping you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you need to recover.
Beyond the Visible: Common Car Accident Injuries
The impact of a car accident, even at seemingly low speeds, can inflict various injuries. Some are immediately apparent, while others may have delayed symptoms. Some of the most common injuries we see in Missouri car accident cases include:
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries: These affect muscles, ligaments, and tendons, often in the neck and back, caused by the sudden forceful movement of the body during impact. While sometimes initially appearing minor, they can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
- Head injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Impacts to the head can range from concussions to severe TBIs, which can have devastating long-term effects on cognitive function, memory, and personality. Even a seemingly minor bump warrants medical evaluation.
- Fractures and Broken Bones: The force of a collision can easily cause bones to break, requiring casting, surgery, and extensive rehabilitation.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Injuries to the back and spine can be particularly serious, potentially leading to chronic pain, paralysis, and permanent disability.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can cause damage to internal organs, which may not be immediately obvious but can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
- Lacerations and Bruises: While some cuts and bruises are superficial, deeper lacerations can cause significant scarring and require stitches or surgery.
- Psychological Injuries: Car accidents are traumatic events that can result in anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other emotional distress. These “invisible” injuries are very real and can significantly impact a victim’s life.
How Injuries Impact Your Missouri Personal Injury Claim
The nature and severity of your injuries are central to your personal injury claim in Missouri. Here’s how they typically factor in:
Medical Expenses: Your injuries will likely require medical treatment, from emergency room visits and ambulance rides to hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and follow-up care. All of these costs are part of the economic damages you can seek to recover. The more severe the injury, the higher the medical expenses tend to be.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can claim compensation for lost wages. If the injuries are long-term or permanently affect your ability to earn a living, you may also be able to seek damages for loss of future earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering: Missouri law allows you to seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experience as a result of your injuries. This is considered a non-economic damage and is often determined based on the severity and duration of your pain, the impact on your daily life, and the need for ongoing treatment or therapy.
Long-Term Impact and Future Needs: For severe injuries, a claim must also account for future medical needs, ongoing care, potential lost earning potential over a lifetime, and the overall impact on your quality of life. Accurately assessing these future damages often requires input from medical experts and financial professionals.
The Importance of Documentation and Medical Attention
After a car accident in Missouri, your priority should always be seeking necessary medical attention, even if you don’t think you are seriously hurt. Some injuries have delayed symptoms, and a medical evaluation creates an official record of your injuries connected to the accident. Follow all treatment recommendations and keep detailed records of all medical visits, treatments, medications, and bills. This documentation is critical evidence in supporting your personal injury claim.
Furthermore, accurately documenting the impact of your injuries on your daily life – your inability to perform tasks, participate in hobbies, or experience the same quality of life as before the accident – is vital for demonstrating non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Don’t Navigate Injury Claims Alone
Dealing with physical recovery while also handling insurance adjusters and legal procedures can be overwhelming. Insurance companies, whether yours or the at-fault driver’s, are often focused on minimizing payouts. Having an experienced Missouri car accident attorney by your side ensures that your injuries are properly documented, your medical needs are understood, and you are seeking full compensation for all your losses.
At Sticklen & Sticklen, we have decades of experience handling car accident cases in Missouri and understand how to effectively present the impact of your injuries to insurance companies or a jury. We are here to fight for your rights and help you on the path to recovery.
If you have been injured in a car accident in the Joplin, Columbia, or surrounding Missouri areas, contact Sticklen & Sticklen today for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your injuries, explain your options, and help you take the next steps.