Do I Have a Personal Injury Case if I Am Not Hurt?

Although the phrase, “personal injury” might make you imagine a physical injury, such as a cut or broken bone, a personal injury case is about more than that. The object is to make the accident victim whole again. This means to reimburse the victim for all of the losses that he or she suffered because of an accident, including property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Find out if you have grounds for a personal injury case – with or without physical injuries – by consulting with a personal injury attorney in Kansas City.

Delayed or Hidden Injuries

First, examine the possibility of delayed or hidden injuries. Many accident victims don’t believe that they are injured immediately, only to experience symptoms in the hours or days following the accident. Some injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, have delayed symptoms as they progress over time. Other injuries may be concealed by your adrenaline from the accident. Common injury symptoms that may appear late are:

• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Headaches
• Pain or general discomfort
• Loss of mobility in your back or neck
• Any tingling or numbness in the body
• Mood or personality changes

The best way to protect yourself after an accident is to see a doctor within the first 72 hours. Going to a hospital can result in tests or x-rays that can diagnose an injury, such as a back injury, herniated disk, whiplash or soft-tissue injury. With a diagnosis, you can receive prompt treatment for the best possible recovery. Going to a doctor right away can also strengthen your insurance claim.

What Damages Can You Claim in a Personal Injury Case in Missouri?

A personal injury case is a means of compensating a victim for the losses, or damages, suffered because of the careless or wrongful acts of another person. Even if you did not suffer a physical injury, you may still have grounds to file a personal injury case in Missouri to seek compensation for other losses. The damages often listed in a personal injury lawsuit include:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Property repairs or replacement
• Losses of income from taking time off work
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Psychological therapy
• Lost quality or enjoyment of life
• Embarrassment or inconvenience
• Out-of-pocket costs 
• Wrongful death damages
• Legal and attorney’s fees

If you experienced any of these losses in a preventable accident in Kansas City, you may have grounds for a personal injury case. Whether or not you were diagnosed with a delayed injury later, you could still file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit for the losses that you suffered that were not related to physical injuries. If you had to take time off work to bring your damaged vehicle to a mechanic, for example, you may qualify for benefits for both your property repairs and your lost wages. 

Always Consult With an Attorney

Every case is unique. While sustaining a physical injury can increase the value of a personal injury case, having no injuries does not necessarily mean that you are barred from any financial recovery. Go to a doctor right away for any potential injuries. Then, consult with an attorney about your legal option. A personal injury lawyer in Kansas City can carefully review the facts of your case to let you know if you have grounds for a lawsuit.

At Wendt Law Firm, P.C., we offer free initial consultations so that you can receive legal advice at no cost or obligation to hire our law firm. We provide free evaluations to allow injured accident victims to fully understand their rights. If we believe you have grounds to file a personal injury case in Missouri, we can help you with the legal side of things, including handling confusing paperwork and the claims filing process. Our attorneys will negotiate for the best possible outcome based on your circumstances.