How Do You Prove Injuries Without Visible Car Damage?
If you’ve been in a minor accident, you may worry that you can’t recover compensation for your damages because you don’t see physical damage. While physical damage may make a case more straightforward, it is not the only thing supporting a claim.
At Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC, we know that a car accident can cause damage beyond what is physically seen on your vehicle. Our Chicago car accident lawyer is ready to help you navigate a claim and pursue the compensation you deserve.
When Damage Isn’t Visible
There are several reasons you may have damage that is not immediately obvious following a seemingly minor accident. Some vehicles are equipped with bumpers designed to minimize cosmetic damage, but this often requires them to distribute the force to structures within that may be damaged. The force of the impact may also affect hood or trunk latching, which isn’t immediately evident.
Sometimes, even a smaller impact can cause soft tissue damage, such as sprains or strains in your neck or wrists. People with connective tissue or nervous system disorders may be particularly vulnerable to injury, even if there’s no vehicle damage.
Emotionally, experiencing an accident can be unsettling. While a minor fender bender is not particularly likely to cause something like post-traumatic stress disorder in the general population, it may exacerbate trauma or anxiety conditions that are already present. Managing these symptoms can still require the person to make extra doctor and therapy appointments or miss work.
Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC Can Help You Identify Evidence of Your Injuries
One of the most critical pieces of a successful court case is providing evidence of your damages. This is most often done through documentation. Even in minor car accidents, taking photos of the scene can serve you well.
The state of Illinois does not require a police report unless the accident causes death, bodily injury, or property damage of more than $1500. Though you may not think your accident meets these crash report standards, calling the police to the scene may provide valuable documentation.
Following the accident, documentation of your injuries from medical and psychological providers can be critical to supporting your claim for damages. When you see a provider immediately following an accident, it can establish documentation of your injuries without much room for doubt as to how they happened.
Additionally, even if your car looks fine at first, it may be helpful to take it to a body shop or mechanic for an estimate to get it repaired. Facilities like this know the way damage can hide and where to look. This estimate can, again, provide critical support that your car did sustain damage and that the damage was consistent with an accident like yours.
A Lack of Physical Damage is Not a Lack of Injury
You may think that filing a claim for an accident without physical damage to your vehicle won’t be worth your time. If you have PTO to miss work or decent health insurance, you may just decide to move on and leave the situation alone. A lack of physical damage is not a lack of injury, and you may still be entitled to compensation for that inconvenience.
If you want to explore your options, you can schedule a free consultation with Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC.