Car accidents are traumatic events. Emotionally and physically they damage, regardless of discernible physical injury. Even if serious injury is avoided, the nature of nerve damage can be unpredictable and result in injuries that necessitate prolonged time off work for healing.
Many car accidents result in whiplash. Should you go to work with whiplash? In moderate to severe car accidents, whiplash is often a common component that results in nerve pain, stiff neck, and fatigue. It can make daily tasks more difficult.
Is a car accident a reason to call out of work? In most minor car accidents, you can return to work the next day. However, this always depends on variable factors that a broad answer cannot generalize. How severe are the nature of your injuries? Do you work in manual labor? We’ll examine these aspects in our blog post below.
Anytime you are in a serious accident—such as a car accident—it is imperative that you seek medical attention, whether you feel injured or fine. Only after such steps, consulting with a professional car accident lawyer can help you decide what to do next. This can include such things as filing a claim with your insurance company, or filing a personal injury claim against the negligent party.
The lawyers at Brandon J. Broderick can offer you much needed legal advice if you’re suffering physical or emotional distress after a car accident.
Should You Take Time Off Work After a Car Accident?
When deciding whether to take time off work after a car accident, it is important to assess the severity of your injuries and understand the recovery process.
Have a Healthcare Professional Assess Injuries
Accidents can vary in intensity, so determining the severity of injuries becomes crucial. Minor injuries like scrapes or bruises may not pose much of a threat and heal fast without impacting work performance significantly.
On the other hand, severe injuries such as lacerations, broken limbs, skull or chest trauma demand immediate medical attention and could result in an extensive recovery period.
In some cases, what seems minor initially—like a concussion—can escalate into detrimental health issues if ignored. Concussions and head trauma can lead to memory loss, migraines, and cognitive impairment.
It is essential to get thoroughly examined by a healthcare professional immediately after an accident to understand the nature of your injuries and their severity.
The Recovery Process
After a car accident, the body needs time to repair and heal itself. This process may involve surgery, physical therapy, rest, or medication management. The duration of recovery largely depends on the type and severity of your injuries.
Recovery may also require physical therapy. The cost of this may be covered by filing a claim with an insurance company, or against the negligent party.
Undeniably, recovery is not a linear process. It's common to experience “good days” where you feel strong and cognisant, alongside bad days feeling lethargic, weak, or emotionally drained.
Through it all, it's essential to heed only professional medical advice and devote necessary time for recuperation without rushing back into work prematurely. Patience plays an integral role in successful recoveries post-accident; after all health must always be a priority before anything else.
Communicate with Employers
Always contact your employer after a car accident to notify them of the nature of the accident. It is important to promptly inform them of the situation, and notify them that you may need some time off of work. It is very important to remember that following a doctor’s orders are vital to ensuring the legitimacy of any legal claim you file to recover losses due to the accident.
Promptly Inform Your Boss
We understand that accidents happen, and sometimes they can prevent us from going to work. In such situations, it is crucial to promptly inform your boss about the car accident. This allows them to make necessary arrangements and adjustments for your absence.
Provide accurate and detailed information about the accident, including the date, time, and any resulting injuries. It is important to be honest with your employer and provide any supporting evidence such as a police report or medical documentation if required.
Effective communication with your boss will help ensure understanding and allow them to plan accordingly while you focus on recovering.
Provide Updates on Progress via Health Care Professional
We understand that after a car accident, you may be concerned about how to keep your employer informed while focusing on your recovery—obviously your job is important to you, and you need to keep it. Regular updates on your progress are essential in building trust and maintaining a positive working relationship with management.
You don’t want to return back to work too soon after an accident, as it can impact the legitimacy of your case. While it’s normal to want to go back before being 100% better, going back to work can hurt your recovery and your ability to file a personal injury lawsuit to collect compensation.
By staying in communication with your employer, you demonstrate your commitment to your work and allow them to assess the status of ongoing projects without compromising your case.
Accident Claims Considerations
If you’re been injured in a car accident, regardless of severity, you should always seek medical attention right away. Even if you don’t initially notice symptoms, it’s in your best personal interest to see a medical professional who can comprehensively assess nerve and muscular injury.
If you do end up needing to call out of work due to injuries sustained in a car accident, you may be entitled to file a claim to recover compensation for lost income and medical expenses. Contact our personal injury lawyers to discuss the details of your case.