Minor Car Accidents Aren’t So Minor

​For the past decade, I have spent a lot of time researching about injuries from car accidents and their long term effects on health. This includes the ligament damage, tiny fractures and concussions that few doctors know how to measure and fewer attorneys even know exist.  So what have I learned that you should know:

• 50% of all concussions occur in motor vehicle accidents.
• up to 80% of people in a motor vehicle accident suffer a concussion.
• Emergency Departments fail to diagnose this problem 56% of the time.
• loss of consciousness is not needed to make this diagnosis.
• ligaments are more susceptible to damage at lower speeds.
• few spinal fractures will put you in traction but most will have long term effects.

While most concussion symptoms may resolve within three months, most people also have problems that last for many years, including:

• headaches
• memory problems
• hearing loss
• visual disturbance
• loss of sense of smell
• hormonal problems
• emotional problems

If the NFL admitted to the damage a 250 pound linebacker can do at 25 mph, imagine the damage a 3 ton vehicle can do to you at only 3 mph.  (Keep in mind that  Force = mass x acceleration.  The more mass the more force.)

By the way, a federal judge ruled on February 2, 2017 that the $765 million settlement offer from the NFL is insufficient.

If you or someone you know has been in what you think is a ‘minor’ accident, don’t brush it off and get back in the game.  Instead follow the NFL’s lead and get checked and have the treatment you need to reduce the risk of further complications down the road.

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