Many car accident injuries are not immediately apparent. In extreme stress situations, such as a car accident, the body releases hormones to cope with the pain and trauma. The extra endorphins and adrenaline surging through your body during the crash may mask pain and other injury symptoms. Symptoms may take a few days or even a week or month, and you might not necessarily attribute something like a headache to your car accident. However, you should know that delayed symptoms that seem minor could indicate a more severe injury. If you have a delayed car accident injury, you should immediately see a medical professional for treatment.
What Are Some Common Delayed Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident?
The following are some of the most common delayed symptoms that car accident victims experience:
- Abdominal pain can originate from internal soft tissue injuries, like organ damage or internal bleeding, which can be extremely serious or even fatal if you do not get treatment.
- Back pain can indicate a range of injuries, such as whiplash, a herniated disc, or a spinal cord fracture. Back sprains and muscle damage are also possible delayed car accident injuries.
- Cognitive problems with memory and concentration or difficulty communicating can indicate a severe traumatic brain injury.
- Headaches can be overlooked after a car accident. After an accident, headaches can be related to injuries such as whiplash, concussion, brain injury, blood clots, or neck injuries. Car accident victims with PTSD can also experience headaches.
- Nausea is a common symptom of concussion and brain injury. Focusing on computer or tablet screens may be difficult without feeling sick.
- Neck and shoulder pain may indicate a more significant problem with the spine or back.
- Numbness and tingling originate from pinched nerves, which could indicate a back injury like a herniated disc. Numbness and tingling is usually an issue in the arms and legs, and they may also feel weakened.
- Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, and nightmares. Delayed onset PTSD can take as long as six months to present symptoms. Personality changes and rapid mood changes are signs of a brain injury.
If you have been in a car accident and have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately to have yourself checked for delayed injuries. Remember to mention that you were in a car accident and give the date and time.
Can I Get Compensation for My Delayed Injury?
If your injuries originate from a car accident caused by the negligence of another party, you may be eligible for compensation. Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a claim for compensation after a car accident. In Ohio, you have two years from the date of injury to bring a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your chance to try to recover damages from the driver that caused your injuries.
Having a medical evaluation and following the doctor’s treatment plan is important. If you do not keep your appointments for treatment, the insurance company will question the seriousness of your injuries. Your doctor should outline any need for future medical care so that these costs are included in the damages you seek in your claim. Sometimes after a car accident, any resulting medical conditions resolve quickly, but others can linger for a lifetime and significantly affect your quality of life.
After you have been in a car accident, do not sign any papers from the insurance company without consulting with a lawyer first. This is because they may ask you to sign a release of liability form as part of a settlement. It means you cannot make any future claims related to the accident, which could be a problem if you discover you have delayed injuries. A settlement may seem attractive initially because you are being offered a sum of money upfront, but you should carefully consider all your legal options before deciding to accept it. Most insurance companies will first provide a low amount for compensation, anticipating that you will try to negotiate it higher.
While trying to recover from your car accident injuries, you may not be eager to haggle with the insurance company. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the settlement amount to see if it is fair and is enough to cover your current and future expenses related to the accident and then negotiate on your behalf.
A successful claim for compensation related to delayed injuries from a car accident could recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the cost of future care. Contact a lawyer today to discuss your best legal path for compensation.
Dayton Car Accident Lawyers at Wright & Schulte LLC Advocate for Car Accident Victims With Delayed Injuries
Delayed car accident injuries can be severe and have long-term medical consequences. For legal help, talk to our experienced Dayton car accident lawyers at Wright & Schulte LLC. Call us at 937-222-7477 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Dayton, Ohio, we serve clients in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Centerville, Toledo, Youngstown, and Miamisburg.
