Many people worry about their ability to return to work after a car accident, especially if they’ve been injured. The idea of taking time off can be stressful, especially if you cannot afford to lose hours or don’t have a leave policy you know about. Most people want to move on as quickly as possible, but after suffering problems like back pain or headaches after a car accident, this may not be safe. Your health should always come first after an accident and you should make choices that will best support your recovery.
Why People Return Too Early
There are a variety of reasons someone may return to work before their body is ready after being in a car accident. Most people intend well and want to return to their normal life quickly, and some people simply can’t afford to be out of work before receiving a settlement. These factors, in addition to some of the body’s natural mechanisms, can cause people to believe they are in better shape than they actually are.
When our body and mind experience trauma or anxiety, hormones like adrenaline are released, allowing your body to power through a crisis and go into “fight or flight” mode. While this is helpful in many cases, it can also be so powerful that it hides pain and other symptoms like headaches after a car accident. In some cases, this effect can last for days or even longer, making you believe you are well enough to return to work.
Unfortunately, any latent car accident injuries may be further stressed by a return to work, especially if your job involves physical labor.
Compensation for Time Off
Even if you are aware of your injuries, many people will try to return to work early simply because they financially need to work. This can be dangerous, but many do not feel they have a choice. It’s important to understand how insurance and legal proceedings will be impacted by time off work when making decisions about returning.
When settlements are issued for car accident injuries, lost wages are one of the major considerations when determining compensation amounts. You are likely to be reimbursed for this line item, but not until after your case is settled, meaning there may be a time period where you are off work.
Time off is not always necessary for a successful insurance claim. If you have done diagnostic scans after an accident and been assessed by a doctor and it has been determined that work is safe and won’t exacerbate your symptoms, you can return to work and still receive a settlement. However, if your doctor advises you to avoid work and you don’t heed the advice, it may also be recorded and make you ineligible for claims on further injuries that occur.
When to Consider Time Off
While most accidents need a small period of rest in the aftermath, some injuries are serious enough that you may need an extended leave depending on the specifics of your injury and your job’s demands. However, it is not only people who work in manual labor that should think carefully about their next steps.
Jobs that require you to be strong and healthy will certainly be impacted by a back injury and should be approached very carefully. But if you work a desk job, it can be just as important to take time off in these scenarios. One reason is the risk of concussions after a car accident- if you suffered from this mild brain injury as a result of the head jerking or hitting against something. Concussions are often made worse by heavy use of screens like computers.
When you are experiencing symptoms of a back injury, the position you sit in at your desk will also matter. Desk chairs can be bad for the back and worsen your condition unknowingly. When this is the case, you may be considered liable for the further damages and risk them not being covered by insurance.
You are your doctor will need to make the joint decision about what is right for you in regards to work. Make sure you share with your doctor any symptoms, like back pain, trouble moving, or headaches after a car accident so they can give you guidance on this decision. You may need to weigh your diagnosis, your financial situation, and your insurance against each other, but your doctor will always focus on your health and recovery first.
