When we have a client who has endured long-term treatment for a car accident, we inevitably hear from the insurance company “they should have been better in 6-8 weeks.” This line is echoed by Defense Medical Doctors – the frequent flyers who are hired by insurance companies to write a report that says exactly that, claiming that literature supports their claim.
Is this true? Sort of.
It is true that for most people who have soft tissue injuries (whiplash), they recover in 6-8 weeks. It is equally true that some don’t. So even if we conclude that 9/10 people recover in 6-8, that leaves 1/10 who is still in pain, still treating, and still suffering. Their pain isn’t lessened just because their friends in the same car recovered.
The “miserable minority” – the folks still in pain after 6-8 weeks – are frequently our clients. They seek our help to address skeptical claims adjusters, navigate the bills that arise when they need continued and more aggressive treatment, and, sometimes, to file lawsuits to protect their rights. We spend a lot of time pointing out to adjusters that just because our clients have “beaten the odds” in a bad way, doesn’t mean they aren’t injured. The odds of winning Powerball are astronomical, yet someone does win. In the case of car accidents, many of our clients have won the misery lottery and insurance companies need to be fair, recognize their legitimate injuries, and make them whole.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, give us a call – we are here to help.
