IRC Releases New Report on Sprain and Strain
Auto Accident Victims

MALVERN, Pa. – A new Insurance Research Council (IRC) report entitled Sprains and Strains Resulting From Auto Accidents: An Analysis of Auto Insurance Claims, revealed that auto accident claimants with low injury severity who were represented by attorneys demonstrated greater use of medical treatment compared to nonrepresented claimants with similar injuries.

Of 44,000 bodily injury liability claims closed in 1997 (the most recent year for which information is available), segments of similarly injured represented and nonrepresented auto accident claimants were identified for further study. These groups included claimants with 1) sprains and strains as their only injuries, 2) no disabilities, 3) fewer than 10 days of restricted activity, and 4) limited physical damage to their cars as a result of their accidents.

Represented claimants, on average, were more likely to seek treatment from medical practitioners and had higher average numbers of visits to practitioners. Not surprisingly, the reported medical bills incurred by represented claimants were higher, on average, compared to those of nonrepresented claimants.

Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC said, "Documenting the increased use of medical treatment among represented claimants with mild injuries is significant."