What Happens If My Car Accident Injuries Show up Later?
Car accidents are stressful events. When your adrenaline is pumping and emotions are running high after an auto accident, it can be tempting to wave off medical treatment. “I feel fine,” you might say. Or you may believe that a minor injury doesn’t need serious attention or follow-up treatment.
While the above examples are common reactions to car accidents, it’s important to understand that the full extent of your injuries in a car accident may not be obvious right away. In many cases, it can be some time – hours or even days – before the full extent of your injuries becomes clear. If you’re involved in a car accident, you should consult an experienced Philadelphia car accident attorney and learn how to protect yourself and your legal rights in the case of injuries that surface later.
UNDERSTANDING DELAYED INJURY SYMPTOMS
Delayed injury symptoms can be a common occurrence after a car accident. These symptoms may not appear immediately after the crash but can manifest hours, days, or even weeks later. It’s essential to understand that delayed injury symptoms can be just as severe as immediate symptoms and require prompt medical attention.
Delayed injury symptoms can be caused by various factors, including the body’s natural response to trauma, adrenaline, and the severity of the accident. In some cases, delayed symptoms can be a sign of a more severe underlying injury, such as a traumatic brain injury or internal bleeding.
Common delayed injury symptoms include headaches, neck pain, back pain, numbness or tingling, and behavioral or emotional changes. These symptoms can be indicative of various types of injuries, including concussions, whiplash, soft tissue injuries, and internal bleeding. If you notice any of these symptoms long after a car accident, you should get medical attention immediately to prevent further complications.
How Long After a Car Accident Can Injuries Appear?
Injuries from a car accident can appear at any time, from immediately after the crash to weeks or even months later. The timing of injury appearance depends on various factors, including the severity of the accident, the individual’s age and overall health, and the type of injury sustained.
In general, injuries can be categorized into two types: immediately apparent and delayed injuries. Immediately apparent injuries are obvious right away, including broken bones, lacerations, bruises, and other physical trauma. On the other hand, delayed injuries do not appear immediately and can manifest symptoms well after the accident.
Delayed injuries can appear within 24-48 hours following the incident or take weeks or even months to manifest. It’s essential to monitor yourself closely in the days and weeks after the accident and seek medical attention if you experience any new or worsening symptoms. This vigilance can help ensure that you receive timely treatment and avoid long-term health issues.
SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION, EVEN IF TIME HAS PASSED
If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, one of the most important things you can do is seek medical attention right away. An emergency responder to the scene, such as an EMT, or a doctor in the emergency room, can assess your apparent injuries and let you know what you may be able to anticipate later on, given the nature of the crash.
There are a couple of reasons why seeking medical attention promptly after a car accident is vitally important – no matter how serious your injuries seem. Not seeking medical attention after a collision is simply dangerous. Letting an injury go untreated because you’re not yet feeling any effects greatly increases the risk of additional or more permanent damage. Seeing a medical professional right away ensures you’re able to begin treating a mild or moderate injury before it becomes aggravated and develops into a more serious health issue.
The second reason why you shouldn’t put off getting medical treatment after a car accident has to do with protecting your legal rights down the road. If you wait days or weeks after the crash before seeing a doctor, it becomes much more difficult to prove the accident caused your injuries. This can jeopardize your chances of the court awarding you full damages should the situation lead to a trial.
It’s Not Too Late
If you were involved in a car accident a few days or even weeks ago and are just now starting to experience pain or other symptoms, it’s not too late to take action. Some injuries, especially those related to soft tissue or internal damage, may not show up immediately.
While it’s ideal to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident, it’s equally important to consult a doctor when symptoms appear later. You might not have felt the full impact of the collision initially due to shock or adrenaline, but delayed symptoms can signal an underlying issue that needs treatment.
Seeking medical attention when you notice these signs is essential for two reasons. First, delaying medical treatment could worsen your condition, leading to more serious or permanent damage. Ignoring the pain or discomfort may increase the risk of aggravating an otherwise manageable injury. Getting a doctor’s evaluation now can help you address the injury before it worsens.
Second, seeing a medical professional promptly after symptoms appear can still support your legal case. If you initially went to the emergency room or saw a doctor but new symptoms have surfaced, it’s important to document these developments with updated medical records. This way, you can show the connection between the accident and your injuries, even if they took time to manifest.
Failing to follow up on emerging symptoms may make it harder to prove the accident caused your injury, but it’s not too late to protect your rights and pursue compensation with the help of a lawyer.
Even if you’ve already seen a doctor, it’s important to remember that the legal steps you take after an accident are just as important as the medical care you receive. While seeking medical attention is always the first priority, injuries can sometimes become more apparent or worsen over time. It’s never too late to speak with an attorney to protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve for any injuries that may emerge after the initial shock of the accident.
KEEP TABS ON YOUR SYMPTOMS
When you seek medical treatment after a car accident, the EMT, doctor, or other medical professional who treats you will likely let you know what late-occurring symptoms you may experience. There are a number of common car crash injuries that regularly don’t become obvious until some time after the accident happened. These include:
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries – such as whiplash – refer specifically to injuries affecting the soft tissue of the neck. They are the most frequent type of late-occurring car accident injury. Soft tissue injuries are a common result of car accidents because the force of the crash can knock passengers around, even if they’re wearing seatbelts. This bruises or strains the muscles.
The pain of whiplash, which occurs as a result of the head and neck being jolted forward and back in an accident, is a fairly well-known example. If car accident victims don’t get treatment, soft tissue injuries can become worse over time. This turns what could have been a quick recovery into a long-term health ordeal.
Concussions
Head injuries such as concussions also aren’t immediately apparent after a car accident. If you’ve hit your head in a car accident, even if you seem and feel fine, get checked out right away. An untreated concussion can lead to lasting brain injury that can seriously alter your quality of life – or even turn fatal. For this reason, always see a doctor if you seriously hit your head, especially in a car accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Delayed Symptoms
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a common type of injury that can occur in car accidents. TBIs can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, and can be difficult to diagnose. In some cases, TBI symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after the accident.
Common symptoms of TBI include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, and mood changes. These symptoms can be indicative of a mild TBI, also known as a concussion. However, in more severe cases, TBI symptoms can include loss of consciousness, seizures, and difficulty speaking or walking.
Delaying medical treatment can worsen the injury and lead to long-term consequences. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to managing brain injuries effectively and preventing further complications.
Emotional Trauma
The trauma of a car accident can have lasting emotional effects, and these also represent a health concern. Car accidents can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental issues. If you find yourself experiencing emotional trauma in the wake of a car accident, seek professional help. Additionally, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries so it is always best to consult a seasoned Philadelphia personal injury lawyer well-versed in car accident claims if a negligent driver hit you in Pennsylvania.
PROVING AN INJURY WITH DELAYED SYMPTOMS
Proving an injury with delayed symptoms can be challenging, but it’s essential to establish a link between the accident and your symptoms. To prove your injury, your legal team will need to gather evidence, including medical records, expert testimony, and other documentation.
Seek medical attention as soon as you notice any symptoms, even if they don’t appear until days or weeks after the accident. Delaying care can significantly impact your ability to get the compensation you deserve. Medical records that document your symptoms and treatment from the onset are vital in building a strong personal injury claim.
In addition to seeking medical attention, it’s essential to keep a record of your symptoms and treatment. This documentation can help establish a clear timeline of your injury and provide evidence of your symptoms. Detailed records can be instrumental in proving the connection between the car accident and your delayed injuries, thereby strengthening your case.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help?
Your attorney can work with medical professionals to demonstrate how your symptoms have worsened over time. They may also call on expert medical testimony to explain why certain injuries have delayed onset and why they require ongoing treatment.
Additionally, an attorney can help show how your delayed symptoms have impacted your daily life and long-term health. They will collect documentation from medical providers and any psychological counseling you’ve sought, showing how your condition has affected your ability to work, perform everyday tasks, or even enjoy life. This comprehensive approach strengthens your claim for compensation and ensures that the progressive nature of your injury is fully considered.
Importantly, a personal injury attorney can also counter arguments from the insurance company, which may try to claim that your delayed symptoms aren’t related to the accident. By presenting a clear, well-supported timeline of your medical care and how your injury developed, your attorney can demonstrate that the worsening of your condition is a direct result of the crash, not a pre-existing issue.
Ultimately, having an attorney by your side ensures that you’re not only compensated for the injury itself but also for any future medical treatment, lost wages, or pain and suffering that may arise from the ongoing effects of your accident.
CONTACT HILL & ASSOCIATES FOR AUTO ACCIDENT INJURY CLAIMS
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, prioritize your health and well-being. Delayed injury symptoms can be just as severe as immediate symptoms, and seeking medical attention will help prevent long-term consequences.
Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you’re experiencing delayed injury symptoms.
Remember, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, and a personal injury attorney from Hill & Associates can help you navigate the complex legal process. Don’t wait – take the first step towards recovering from your injuries and seeking the compensation you deserve. By being proactive about your health and legal rights, you can ensure the best possible outcome after a car accident.
Call our Philadelphia firm at 215-567-7600 to schedule a free consultation, or contact us online right now.