Chronic Pain Disorders Resulting from Car Accidents

For either passengers or drivers, being involved in a car accident can be a traumatizing experience, one that causes immediate physical injuries, and often long-lasting psychological effects while on the road. Though many of the results may appear right away, other problems, such as chronic pain disorders, may only manifest after a period of time.

In fact, according to a study performed by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and published in January 2014 in the journal Pain, of the 90 percent of individuals who are discharged from the hospital after a car crash, 70 percent report persistent musculoskeletal pain in at least one area of the body.

If you have been in a car accident in Arvada, or anywhere else in Colorado, below are some things to consider if you believe you may have developed a chronic pain disorder.

Stiffness in the Neck is Common

One of the most common types of back and neck injuries as a result of a car accident is attributed to a well-known phenomenon called ‘whiplash.’ Whiplash occurs when a moving or stationary vehicle is struck from any angle, causing the neck of the driver or passenger to ‘whip’ quickly in any direction. This might cause soft tissue damage in the neck and may lead to chronic pain.

Unfortunately, due to the overuse of this term, some people believe that those who claim pain in their necks after even minor car accidents may do so solely in hopes of receiving large amounts of compensation.

But a study by researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand showed that of a pool of 268 participants, all of whom had been in car crashes but were not necessary hospitalized afterwards, nearly 20 percent “reported neck pain or stiffness at 5 and 18 months following the crash.” The study was published in 2010 in the Internal Medicine Journal.

Chronic Pain is Difficult to Treat and Can Hinder Quality of Life

Unlike acute pain, which only lasts as long as the course of rehabilitation, chronic pain will continue until the patient finds a long-term remedy. This leaves the affected individual either dealing with this discomfort perpetually, or medicating with anti-inflammatories and other medications to alleviate the symptoms. Chronic pain disorders may be the result of injuries that healed improperly, and may not disappear without attention.

Further, depending on the severity of the chronic pain disorders, sufferers may realize that the level of pain hinders their quality of life, preventing them from performing basic tasks, such as work-related activities, exercising, or even standing and walking. Of the participants in the Auckland study who experienced chronic pain, 70 percent claimed that the symptoms had “led to limitations in work and recreation.”

An Attorney Can Help You Recover

Ultimately, if you have been in a car accident that has left you with a chronic pain disorder, seek a legal professional who can help you recover compensation to help you cover the costs of medical bills, wages from missed work, and other costs relating to your pain. You may even recover damages related to your pain and suffering. Contact the Law Office of D.J. Banovitz to discover how you can secure the money to help you move on. Call today at 303-300-5060 or contact us online.

D.J. Banovitz’ career has always concentrated on trial practice and he has litigated hundreds of cases. His passion and sole career focus has been to seek justice for people suffering from personal injuries as the result of someone else’s negligence. The hallmark of the Law Office of D.J. Banovitz, is the total commitment to professionalism, quality, and personalized care of your injury case. D.J. has dedicated his professional life to helping those most in need and is a proud and active member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association. His experience includes volunteering for Colorado Rural Legal Services in Montrose, the Colorado Aids Project, consumer law, family law, criminal defense, and Alternative Defense Counsel for juveniles in Denver.