After the ordeal of the crash, a wave of relief comes over you as you realize you do not seem to be seriously hurt. In fact, you believe you have gotten away with nothing more than a few cuts and bruises. You may wonder if there is even a need to get medically checked out.
The problem is, those initial feelings of elation can turn into despair when painful symptoms start to emerge later. We are not talking hours; even days or weeks later, your car accident could cause symptoms that affect your work and daily life.
In this blog, we will explore how car accident injuries can be deceptive and how you can protect your health and legal rights after an auto accident.
Why Car Accident Symptoms Can Be Delayed
When you are in a car accident, your body releases a flood of hormones in response to the trauma of the crash. This includes adrenaline, which has the ability to mask pain and, therefore, potentially serious injuries.
In addition, some injuries, especially soft-tissue, neurological, and internal injuries, may not produce immediate symptoms. Swelling, inflammation, and nerve problems can take time to develop. So you could walk away from a car accident feeling fine, only to be in agony hours or days later.
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Common Injuries With Delayed Symptoms
While many injuries immediately let you know they are there, the following are injuries that can be serious yet do not always cause immediate discomfort.
Whiplash and soft-tissue injuries
Whiplash happens when the head is jerked back and forth violently during a car crash. This strains the muscles and ligaments in the neck. Whiplash is common in rear-end collisions, but it can also happen in other types of accidents.
While whiplash typically causes immediate pain in the neck, back, or shoulder, it can also lead to other symptoms that develop over time, which include:
- Headaches: Tension headaches with pain radiating from the neck into the skull are a common side effect of whiplash.
- Fatigue: When whiplash causes chronic pain, it can lead to difficulty with everyday activities and disrupted sleep, resulting in fatigue.
- Neck stiffness: This can make it hard to move your neck and carry out everyday tasks. While some stiffness is normal immediately after the accident, it may get worse over the next few hours and days.
- Other symptoms: Whiplash can also cause blurred vision, tinnitus, and memory issues in some people, which are not always apparent immediately after the accident.
Internal bleeding
Blunt force trauma experienced in the accident can cause internal bleeding. It happens when blood vessels rupture due to the impact of the accident and blood begins to collect in the body’s cavities and tissues. Although bleeding may cause no immediate symptoms, it can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Symptoms may start to emerge in the hours or days after the accident. Dizziness due to a drop in blood pressure and confusion due to a lack of blood flow to the brain are possible signs that something is wrong.
Back and spine injuries
What starts as a little twinge in your back after a car crash can develop into a more serious issue over time. In the hours following a car crash, inflammation can set in, caused by tears in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Spinal injuries can be even more serious. Nerve compression, herniated discs, and fractures may initially be masked by the flood of adrenaline coursing through your body. However, later, they can cause persistent pain and numbness, which can impact your daily life and may require surgery or other ongoing treatment.
The Importance of Immediate Medical Attention
It does not matter if you feel fine immediately after a car crash. No matter how small the accident seems to be, always get yourself thoroughly checked out by a doctor. This cautious approach could benefit both your health and your claim for compensation.
Protect your health
Doctors are trained to carry out a wide range of tests after car accidents to check for internal and external injuries. You can expect the following methods as they try to find injuries that may not have immediate symptoms:
- Pressing several areas of the body, looking for unusual masses, deformities, and tenderness
- Evaluating your range of motion and reflexes
- Checking neurological function for signs of brain and nerve injuries
If your doctor believes you need further investigations, he or she may order the following tests:
- X-rays help doctors conclusively identify bone injuries suspected in the initial examination
- Ultrasounds can identify internal injuries, such as organ damage and internal bleeding, and assess the need for further treatment
- Neurological tests can detect problems early and are essential for ensuring the best possible outcomes
Completing all tests the doctor prescribes and attending any follow-ups can give you the best chance of making as full a recovery as possible. This is also essential for protecting your right to compensation.
Protect your legal rights
Seeking immediate medical attention, even if you do not think you have been injured, protects your legal rights in several ways. It:
- Creates a paper trail: As soon as you see a doctor, documentation is created that can be used to prove your car crash was the cause of your injuries. If you delay and only see a doctor hours or days later, when symptoms emerge, it may be harder for your car accident lawyer to prove that your injuries were caused by your car accident.
- Proves commitment to recovery: By seeking immediate medical care and following through on all recommended treatment, you show a commitment to making as full a recovery as possible. This protects you from being accused of exaggerating your injuries in pursuit of compensation.
- Minimizes the risk of further injury: If you do not get yourself checked out, it may be easy to exacerbate your injuries. However, when a doctor has diagnosed your injuries, you can take steps to heal and prevent complications.
What to Do If Delayed Injuries Emerge
Even after seeking medical attention, it is possible that injuries will not become apparent for some time. If this happens to you, get yourself checked out right away.
After seeing the doctor, take the following steps to safeguard your case:
- Write down when your symptoms started
- Note how your symptoms affect your daily life
- Record any medications or treatment prescribed
- Attend follow-up appointments
It is also important to notify your insurance company. However, make sure to protect your rights by first seeking legal advice from a car accident lawyer. Your attorney can advise you on how to handle the conversation with the insurance company or may even be able to contact them on your behalf.
Need free legal help in Florida?
We specialize in personal injury claims.
Choose Andrew Pickett Law After a Car Accident
Recovering from a car accident is not always a straight line. There can be setbacks, including delayed injuries and symptoms, that may cause more pain and suffering than the injuries you noticed at the time.
At Andrew Pickett Law, we understand the importance of listening to each of our clients carefully to truly understand the full impact of their injuries. Whenever your injuries become apparent, we are ready to discuss your case, advise you on your options, and represent you if we believe you have a strong chance of success.
Don’t let delayed symptoms derail your car accident case. Schedule a free case evaluation today by calling the number on this page or completing our contact form.
Need free legal help in Florida?
We specialize in personal injury claims.
