Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | September 23, 2025 | Personal Injury
You’ve been in an Atlanta car accident, and you’re in pain. You know your body, and something’s not right — but then the MRI comes back and everything looks normal. The doctor says there’s “nothing wrong” and sends you home. It’s a frustrating situation that can make you feel like no one believes you.
This happens a lot more often than you’d think. However, it doesn’t mean you’re imagining things, and it doesn’t invalidate what you’re experiencing. Pain is complicated, and imaging often doesn’t always tell the full story.
Why an MRI Might Miss What You’re Feeling
MRIs are powerful tools that have helped countless people, but they’re not perfect. They’re designed to detect certain injuries, such as bone fractures, disc issues, or ligament tears, but they can easily miss other problems.
For example:
- Nerve pain often won’t show up
- Soft tissue injuries like muscle strains or sprains may not be obvious
- Many chronic pain conditions can’t be seen on a scan
- Inflammation or microtears might be too small for a doctor to see
So if your MRI comes back normal but you’re still hurting, that doesn’t mean there’s no injury. It may mean the injury doesn’t show up in that particular scan.
Doctors May Dismiss You — Don’t Dismiss Yourself
It’s infuriating when a doctor looks at your scan, shrugs, and dismisses you. Too often, they attribute a patient’s pain to stress or anxiety or say it’s “in your head.” Unfortunately, it happens a lot, especially with soft tissue injuries or delayed symptoms that show up in the days and weeks after an accident.
But if you’re still in pain, you have every right to take it seriously. Keep track of your symptoms. Keep going to appointments. Get a second opinion if you need to. You deserve to be heard and treated.
Proving Pain Beyond the Scan
Insurance companies love to lean on hard proof. They want a clean MRI or a visible fracture and a black-and-white diagnosis. But personal injury claims are about more than just what shows up on a scan. They’re about how the injury affects your life.
If you can’t sleep, work, drive, or enjoy your life because of the pain, that matters. Medical records, doctors’ notes, pain journals, and testimony from physical therapists or specialists can all help document what you’re going through.
What You Can Do Next
Here are some steps to take if you’re still in pain but your MRI looks normal.
Document Everything
Write down your pain levels, triggers, and how the pain interferes with your daily life. Consistent records go a long way.
Keep Following Up
Go to your follow-up appointments. If your doctor isn’t listening, switch providers. Consider seeing a neurologist or pain specialist.
Explore Other Tests
Sometimes, other forms of imaging tests, like CT scans or nerve conduction studies, can show what the MRI missed.
Talk to People Who Understand These Injuries
You don’t have to figure this out on your own. There are professionals, both medical and legal, who deal with this kind of problem every day.
Don’t Wait for Your Pain to Be “Proven”
Some injuries are hidden and quiet, but they’re just as disruptive as an obvious one. Even without a clear cause, pain is still pain and deserves to be taken seriously. Don’t give up on getting help. The right documentation, the right help, and the right strategy can make all the difference.
Contact the Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident, Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. We offer free consultations. Contact us today to speak with an Atlanta personal injury attorney.
We serve Fulton County and its surrounding areas:
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Atlanta
201 Joseph E Lowery Blvd NW Suite 312,
Atlanta, GA 30314
Open 24/7
(770) 900-9000
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Sandy Springs
5555 Glenridge Con, Suite 975,
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Open 24/7
(678) 990-7024
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Lawrenceville
265 Culver St S. Suite A.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Open 24/7
(678) 626-5067
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Mableton
5701 Mableton Pkwy SW Suite 108,
Mableton, GA 30126
Open 24/7
(706) 480-5487
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Smyrna
2400 Herodian Way Ste#220,
Smyrna, GA 30080
Open 24/7
(678) 922-4497
Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Roswell
110 Mansell Cir #111,
Roswell, GA 30075
Open 24/7
(678) 582-8466
About Robert M. Hammers Jr.
Robert M. Hammers, Jr. is the managing partner at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlanta. Committed to justice, he represents individuals harmed by negligence, focusing on personal injury litigation.
With over 50 jury trials and $100 million in verdicts and settlements, Rob is known for his strategic thinking and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for his clients. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice Board of Governors, and the Plaintiff Leadership Committee in complex multi-district and toxic tort litigations, where he advocates for injured individuals and shapes legal strategies.
Robert is also recognized on Justia for his excellence in personal injury law, further highlighting his reputation and commitment to client advocacy.
