Many people think that when they get involved in a car accident, they’ll feel any injuries right away. While this is true in many instances, such as fractures or lacerations, this is not always the case. Some injuries don’t present themselves right away. Plus, with the immediate shock of being involved in a car accident, it’s common to experience delayed onset of injuries. The truth is that everyone reacts differently to a car crash.
In a delayed injury car accident, you must tread carefully and be mindful of what you say and do. If you tell the insurance company you’re fine and uninjured, they will get suspicious when you do experience an injury weeks later. This is especially true if you didn’t seek medical treatment right away. Medical documentation is very important in a car accident claim, especially if you are seeking financial recovery.
Common Delayed Injuries
Many injuries will crop up right away, but others can take a little time. Some common delayed injuries to look for following a car accident include:
- Back and neck pain. Whiplash is common after a car accident, particularly a rear-end one. Whiplash causes the head to jerk back and forth, and this can cause soft tissue damage and herniated discs. This can lead to pain, swelling, and mobility issues.
- Abdominal pain. Internal bleeding can happen after a car crash, but you may not know until days later. However, internal bleeding can be deadly, so it’s important to look for the signs. Dizziness, fainting, and bruising around the stomach area are common symptoms.
- Headaches. Headaches are common after a car accident, but they may not show up right away. A lot of the time, they are not major and go away on their own. However, they can sometimes signal something serious, such as concussions, blood clots, and brain damage.
- Mental changes. Not all medical issues you’ll face after a car crash are physical in nature. Sometimes victims suffer personality changes, either due to brain damage or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Depression, memory problems, vision changes, and hearing loss are common symptoms of brain damage. Some people experience stress after being involved in such a traumatic accident. They may be scared to drive again. Therapy can be helpful.
How Long Are These Injuries Delayed?
The delayed onset of these injuries can vary from person to person. Internal bleeding can occur 1-3 days after an accident. Brain and neck injuries may sometimes take a week to come about, but by then, they are often fatal. Concussion and whiplash symptoms can take days or weeks to appear. Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries can show up in weeks or months. Post-traumatic stress disorder can show up at any time — even years later.
Contact Us Today
After a car accident, it’s best to seek medical help right away. By doing so, you protect your legal rights in the event that you have delayed injuries that show up weeks or months later.
The Los Angeles Car Accidents Attorneys El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers will help you obtain adequate injury settlement for your injuries. Don’t delay — contact us today. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling 213-985-1120.