How Long Does it Take to Recover From a Car Accident?

It’s no secret that car accidents can be traumatic and physically debilitating for those involved. As a personal injury firm, we deal with a constant flow of accident victims, and their injuries range from bruises and cuts all the way up to permanent disabilities. However, most victims land somewhere in the middle, and that leads to the question of how long it takes on average to fully recover from a car accident. 

This is a tricky question, and it depends on several factors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things that may affect your recovery timeline following a car accident:  

What is the Extent of Your Injuries? How Severe Were They? 

Generally speaking, the more severe your injuries are, the longer your total recovery time is going to be. In our experience so far, we’ve noticed that by and large the average recovery time for car accident victims is about six weeks. This is definitely not an exact figure, as some victims will be totally pain-free in a matter of days while others will have lingering side effects for years. Surgeries and similar medical procedures can have a big impact on recovery times, as each procedure will require about a month at minimum to fully heal. 

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Even seemingly minor accidents can have long-lasting effects, as lingering injuries such as whiplash can be difficult to accurately assess and treat. This is one reason why it is important to always seek medical care following an accident even if you don’t have any pressing symptoms, so that you can get a comprehensive and detailed examination of any injuries you may have sustained.  

What Was Your Speed at the Time of the Accident? 

Accidents that unfold at higher speeds will almost certainly cause more damage than those at lower speeds. Anytime a collision occurs involving two vehicles, the gravitational force felt by those involved is equivalent to the combined speed of both vehicles. In other words, if you were traveling at 60 MPH and the other driver was going 70 MPH, the amount of force involved would feel the same as it would if you crashed by yourself going 130 MPH. The higher the speed, the more severe the injuries and vehicle damages will be, which leads to longer recovery times. 

Were You Following Traffic Safety Guidelines?

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Simple traffic safety measures such as seatbelts and hands-free devices can help mitigate the damage from an accident or avoid accidents altogether. To be clear, a simple seatbelt won’t totally save you from injury in an accident, but they will certainly help prevent you from flying forward into the windshield or exiting the vehicle entirely, both of which can be disastrous and result in severe or permanent injuries to your head, neck, back, or limbs. We try to avoid generalities when talking about accidents and injuries, but for the most part, a little bit of safety will save a lot of recovery and rehab time. 

What Prior Conditions Did You Have, if Any? 

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Your medical history may also have an impact on how long it takes you to recover following a car accident. This is especially true for those who have pre-existing back or neck pain. The unfortunate part about prior conditions is that they can be exacerbated by the crash on top of any new injuries that may arise. For example, if you previously dealt with lower back pain, an accident will likely worsen that pain and leave you with additional injuries as well. 

Questions About the Recovery Process? Contact Experienced Car Accident Attorneys 

If you have questions about recovering from an injury-inducing car accident that was the fault of another, or would like to schedule a risk-free consultation with award-winning car accident attorneys, look no further than Van Law Firm. Our dedicated and diverse legal team can evaluate your claim and formulate a plan of action to recover maximum compensation on your behalf–simply call our office nearest you today to get started.