Chronic Pain and Car Accidents
Car accidents happen in the blink of an eye. However, the physical and emotional trauma they cause can last a lifetime. Some people are lucky enough to walk away from car wrecks with little more than a few scratches and bruises. Some have more serious injuries that heal after a few months. However, other car accident victims suffer injuries that develop into chronic pain.
Per its name, chronic pain isn’t something that goes away. It may vary in symptoms, frequency, or intensity. It can be manageable or devastating. Often, the injury is invisible – but that does not make it less real. A 2018 report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that about 50 million Americans live with chronic pain, and about 20 million live with high-impact chronic pain – pain debilitating enough to interfere with daily life.
Many people develop chronic pain as a result of a car accident or other injury. Chronic pain can cause just as much pain and suffering as catastrophic injuries, and it’s crucial you receive the proper medical care for as long as you need it.
Common types of chronic pain
You can experience chronic pain in just about any part of the body, but there are certain types of chronic pain that are more common than others.
- Back pain. Chronic pain is extremely common. Many people suffer chronic back pain from aging or everyday injuries, but often, back pain comes from a car accident. You can fracture a vertebra in an accident and get the all-clear that it’s healed, but still suffer chronic back pain for years.
- Joint pain. Accidents can also cause chronic joint conditions that may not manifest until years later. Serious injuries can lead to osteoarthritis, a disease that causes pain and inflammation of the joints. Studies show that about 12% of all osteoarthritis cases are caused by previous trauma or accidents.
- Headaches. Although most of us have experienced a few headaches throughout our lives, chronic headaches are those that occur for at least 15 days a month for three months or more. Often, survivors of car accidents suffer chronic headaches due to concussions, whiplash, or other brain injuries. Even the smallest jostle to the head can cause chronic pain.
- Nerve pain. Chronic nerve pain can be an extremely serious condition. Nerve damage can prevent patients from working or living their lives as before. This kind of damage and chronic pain often comes from severe whiplash or lacerations.
Life with chronic pain can be financially, physically, and emotionally challenging. You may no longer be able to work at the career you enjoy or do the things you love. When your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve to be compensated for your losses.
Recovery for chronic pain can be difficult and is best done with the guidance of skilled and experienced attorneys. Often, it can be hard to prove the underlying cause of chronic pain.
Here at Larson Law Firm, P.C. our lawyers work with medical experts to build a strong case. You deserve the maximum compensation for your injuries and pain. To schedule a free consultation with an attorney, call our Minot office at 701-484-4878, or fill out our contact form.
Mark Larson is a Certified Civil Trial Specialist and Certified Civil Pre-Trial Specialist focusing on personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, and oil field claims. Since 1979, Larson Law Firm has served the injured throughout North Dakota. Read more about Mark V. Larson.