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How Residual Injuries Affect Your Auto Accident Injury Claim

A residual injury refers to a car accident injury that has a long-lasting effect on the patient.

Residual injuries are injuries that continue to cause symptoms or limitations after the initial injury has healed.

It’s not necessarily a disability per se, but more of a symptom you will feel even after treatment, such as soreness in your joints because of a fracture. Because it is expected you will suffer from this residual injury for a long time, it is possible for the amount of compensation you receive for your Saint Louis car accident claim to increase.

pain after car accident

Types of Residual Injuries

The most common residual injuries are scars or disfigurement, either directly because of the accident, or because of the medical operations required to treat your injuries after the collision. Such residual injuries can have a negative impact on a person’s mental state, particularly if the scar is very visible, like the ones left on a person’s face, arms, or legs.

Very visible scars can cause a sense of shame or embarrassment, and it can be argued that a person cannot lead a normal life because of it – for instance, they feel ashamed to wear shorts in the summer because of a large scar on the legs.

However, scars can even make parts of the body less mobile. For example, if you had surgery on your knee, a large scar can make you lose part of your knee mobility, which can even impact your employment if you need to be on your feet or active as part of your job.

It’s also possible to suffer from various back or joint pains after a car accident. The pain may last for a very long time, even after the injury healed. In some cases, they can even cause a person to lose partial or total mobility.

How Residual Injuries Affect a Car Accident Claim

These types of injuries can affect a car accident claim in several ways.

  1. Increased damages: Residual injuries can increase the overall damages in a car accident claim, as they may require ongoing medical treatment or may result in long-term disability. This can lead to higher medical expenses and lost income.
  2. Proving causation: To recover damages in a car accident claim, you must be able to show that your injuries were caused by the accident. If you have residual injuries, it may be more challenging to prove that these injuries were caused by the accident, as opposed to a pre-existing condition or some other factor.
  3. Documentation: It’s important to carefully document all of your injuries, including residual injuries, to support your car accident claim. This may involve keeping track of your medical treatment, including any tests or procedures you have undergone, as well as any ongoing symptoms or limitations you are experiencing.

What Can You Do?

You are likely entitled to compensation for all your medical sufferings caused by the car accident. As such, you can add residual injuries to your claims. It’s important at this time to provide sufficient medical evidence that the residual injury is directly caused by the accident. The best way to prove it is through your medical records. When you get a diagnosis, your doctor will let you know if you can expect any residual consequences of your injuries or treatment, and it will be added to your medical file. That is the best proof you need to prove your claim has a solid basis.

If you have residual injuries following a car accident, it’s a good idea to speak with an experienced St. Louis car accident injury attorney. They can help you understand your rights and options as they work with you to build a strong case.


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Updated: December 16, 2022