3 Types of Car Accident Injuries That Are More Likely to Be Misdiagnosed
Being in an auto accident is one of the most stressful and frustrating experiences in any person’s life. However, things can get even worse when your car accident injury is misdiagnosed.
There are certain injuries and conditions that are more likely to be misdiagnosed than others. We will list three types of injuries that have the highest wrong diagnosis rates among car accident victims.
Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a car accident injury in a timely manner may give rise to a medical malpractice claim against the doctor who misdiagnosed you. Contact a Miami attorney if you believe that your injury was misdiagnosed.
- Whiplash
Whiplash is said to be the most frequently occurring type of injury among car crash victims, which is why it is not surprising that doctors often misdiagnose it. Whiplash may not manifest any symptoms for days after the accident.
However, just because symptoms of whiplash are not immediately apparent does not make this injury less serious than other types of car accident injuries. In fact, when left untreated, whiplash can result in disability, chronic discomfort, and other long-term effects.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
When a victim of a car accident suffers a traumatic brain injury, symptoms may not be apparent for weeks or even months. This makes TBIs more likely to be misdiagnosed than other injuries following a car crash.
Also, the fact that symptoms of brain injuries vary from one individual to another makes it even more difficult to diagnose a TBI in a timely manner. Contrary to popular belief, a person does not necessarily need to hit their head to suffer a traumatic brain injury.
An impact elsewhere on the body can create sufficient force to jar the brain around in a person’s skull.
- Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries, which is a term that encompasses injuries to a person’s joints, bones, tendons, muscles, and soft tissue, are likely to get misdiagnosed mostly because these injuries may seem insignificant or not severe enough to a doctor.
When misdiagnosed and left untreated, orthopedic injuries can result in complications, chronic pain or discomfort, or may even lead to complete disability. Often, orthopedic injuries can seem minor to physicians, which is why a patient may receive a wrong diagnosis.
Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident
It is not uncommon for victims of auto accidents to experience delayed symptoms, which can increase the risk of misdiagnosis following a car crash. Delayed symptoms are often attributed to the rush of adrenaline, which keeps you from feeling pain or injury symptoms. However, when the adrenaline wears off, symptoms begin to manifest themselves.
Thus, although you may feel OK following a car accident, it does not necessarily mean that you were not injured. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention after a car accident to diagnose your injury in a timely manner.
In fact, failure to seek medical attention immediately after a car crash can complicate your personal injury claim. The insurance company is likely to deny your claim and cast doubt on the severity of your injury if you do not receive medical care right after the accident.
It is best to consult with a Miami car accident attorney if your claim was denied. Contact our attorneys at Pita Weber Del Prado to help you pursue maximum compensation on your behalf. Call at 305-670-2889.
