Chronic Pain Conditions After a Car Accident

Colburn Law

Posted in Car Accidents on March 29, 2022

Debilitating, chronic pain is common after a car accident. Motor vehicle collisions can lead to serious physical injuries, some of which are less visible than others. Whiplash, sprains, nervous system damage, and many other injuries can result in ongoing chronic pain.

If you develop chronic pain syndrome or another chronic pain condition following a car accident, you may be eligible for financial compensation. In these cases, it is important to seek medical care and consult with an attorney as soon as possible. 

Types of Chronic Pain Conditions

During a car accident, your body can experience significant stress and force due to the impact. Broken bones, brain damage, cuts, and bruises are only some of the injuries that you can suffer after a collision.

Chronic pain conditions may not be as obvious as these injuries, but they can be just as painful and debilitating. Some of the most common types of chronic pain conditions after a car accident include chronic pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition where you suffer from muscle pain and stiffness, which often affects the entire body. You may also experience fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a severe, debilitating type of chronic pain. CRPS can develop after you suffer serious nerve damage in an accident, leading to burning and shooting pains, weakness, discoloration, muscle spasms, and other symptoms.

Chronic Pain Syndrome

Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a condition that occurs when you experience trauma to your nervous system. With this condition, you experience pain that lasts longer than six months. This pain may vary in severity and occur throughout the body.

Many car accident injuries can cause nervous system trauma, such as spinal cord injuries, soft tissue damage, and neck and back injuries. Symptoms of CPS include the following.

• Extreme fatigue
• Sudden jolts of pain
• Burning and tingling in parts of the body
• Lower back pain
• Unexplained headaches
• Joint pain
• Anxiety and depression
• Loss of sexual desire
• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome occurs when you suffer from debilitating tiredness that occurs for six months or longer. Additional symptoms include joint and muscle pain. While chronic fatigue syndrome is a rare condition, a stressful event like a car accident may trigger it.  

Proving Chronic Pain Conditions After a Car Accident

Chronic pain can have a significant impact on your life, preventing you from enjoying daily activities, spending time with your family, or focusing on work and important tasks. If you develop a chronic pain condition after a Washington car accident, you have the right to pursue justice.

By filing an insurance claim or lawsuit, you can recover compensation for medical care, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. To win your claim, however, you must prove that another driver caused the accident and your injuries. 

Proving chronic pain conditions can be challenging. These injuries are not as visible as broken bones or spinal cord damage, and you can face scrutiny and skepticism during the claim process. In these situations, you need an attorney on your side.

A Washington car accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence necessary to prove your chronic pain condition and advocate for your right to compensation. As soon as possible following your accident, seek medical attention and contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.