Can Car Accident Injuries Be Delayed?

After experiencing a car accident, you may feel perfectly fine. However, this doesn’t mean you’re injury-free and can forgo medical treatment. Some car accident injuries appear well after the incident. Here’s an overview of symptoms that are commonly delayed and what you can do to protect your health and well-being after an accident.

Common Delayed Symptoms From Car Accidents

Car accidents can cause a range of injuries, some of which may not be noticeable right away. Symptoms may appear hours, days or even weeks after the accident. Here are a few symptoms that may appear after you experience a car accident:

• Neck and Back Pain: Whiplash is a common injury from car accidents and can take time to become noticeable.
• Headaches: Post-traumatic headaches can develop days after the incident.
• Abdominal Pain: Internal injuries may not show immediate symptoms but can be serious.
• Numbness or Tingling: These sensations can indicate nerve damage or other underlying issues.
• Emotional and Psychological Symptoms: Anxiety, depression or PTSD may arise well after the physical injuries have been addressed.

Even if you feel fine at the scene of the accident, you still are at risk of injuries. It is therefore important to take proactive steps to minimize and treat any symptoms that may emerge later.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Regardless of how you feel, you should always seek immediate medical attention if you’re in a car accident. A healthcare professional can identify injuries that may not be immediately apparent and develop a proactive treatment plan.

Furthermore, documentation of immediate medical treatment can help you pursue compensation for personal injuries. The record of your medical treatment can be a vital piece of evidence in your insurance claim or lawsuit, establishing a link between your injuries and the accident.

Complications From Delayed Treatment

You should never delay your medical treatment if you’ve been involved in a car accident. Untreated injuries can worsen over time, leaving you with more severe symptoms that are more difficult to treat. 

Delaying your treatment can also result in insurance and legal complications. If there’s a significant gap of time between the accident and your medical treatment, insurance companies might argue that your delayed symptoms are unrelated to the accident. Delayed treatment can also make it difficult to prove your case if you file a lawsuit for personal injuries. 

Types of Car Accident Injuries That May Be Delayed

Certain types of injuries are more prone to delayed symptoms. Here are a few types of injuries that may appear well after the accident occurs. Seeking immediate medical attention can help you proactively minimize and treat any symptoms.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries, such as sprains, strains and bruises, might not be immediately apparent. Whiplash, a common soft tissue injury, often presents delayed symptoms like neck stiffness and pain.

Concussions

Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can appear over time. Symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and cognitive difficulties may not appear until hours or days after the accident. It is important to monitor for symptoms and seek medical care if a concussion is suspected.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, can be life-threatening and often show delayed symptoms. Abdominal pain, swelling and deep bruising are signs that should not be ignored.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

The moments right after an accident are vital. Right after the accident occurs, you must take proper steps to protect your health, well-being and ability to receive compensation for injuries and damages. Here are some steps to take right away:

1. Document the Scene: Take photos, gather witness information, exchange contact information with other drivers involved and file a police report.
2. Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurer about the accident promptly.
3. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, you need to be examined by a medical professional. 

After you’ve received medical treatment, you will need to continue to receive follow-up care and make sure your symptoms don’t get worse. Here are some important steps to take during the days, weeks and months after the accident: 

1. Monitor Your Health: Keep track of any new or worsening symptoms.
2. Attend Follow-Up Appointments: Regular check-ups can catch delayed injuries.
3. Document Your Symptoms: Keeping a detailed record can be useful for your medical and legal case.

Taking the right steps after an accident can mean the difference between a fast recovery and a slow, painful recovery. Being proactive is key.

Pursuing Compensation for Delayed Injuries

If you’re an accident victim experiencing delayed injuries, you deserve to receive proper care and compensation. Accident victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage and other expenses resulting from the accident.

If you choose to pursue compensation, it’s important to remember the statute of limitations. Depending on your circumstances, the statute of limitations for your claim in Florida may be two to four years from the date of the car accident. If you wait too long to file a claim or lawsuit, you may lose your ability to collect compensation.

To avoid legal complications and maximize your compensation, it’s important to work with a personal injury attorney. Personal injury attorneys can gather evidence, negotiate with insurers and fight for your rights in court. 

Let Us Help You

Delayed injuries from car accidents can complicate your recovery and legal claims. At Kogan & DiSalvo Personal Injury Lawyers, we are here to support you through this challenging time. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact us for a free case evaluation. Our team is dedicated to fighting for your rights and helping you receive the care and compensation you deserve.